Geethartha Chintane 01: A deep dive into essence of Dharma in Bhagavad Gita

Team Udayavani, Aug 10, 2024, 9:47 AM IST

It is widely known that Lord Krishna first imparted the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. However, this sacred teaching has deeper roots. Lord Krishna himself clarifies to Arjuna that he had previously imparted these teachings to Vivaswan (the Sun God).

The scripture is named Bhagavad Gita because of the full presence of the Lord (Bhagavan). When one tries to see the Lord within the Gita, it serves as an alternative to the Gita Paryaya Utsava in Shri Krishna Matha, Udupi, the land of karma of Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya, the incarnation of Lord Vayu. Through this, teaching (Adhyapan) is carried out alongside learning (Adhyayan).

All Acharyas have written commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, and we have resolved to offer a continuous analysis of all 700 shlokas, embodying the thought process of teaching and discourse, daily, during the Fourth (Chaturtha) Paryaaya period at Srimadacharya’s Sarvajnapeeth for the welfare of the world. We refer to this as ‘Gitanaveshane’.

“Dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya”  

This verse starts with the word “Dharma” (righteousness). If we combine the syllable “dhar” from the first word of the Gita with the syllable “ma” from the last word of the Gita, we see the form of “Dharma.” Every verse of the Gita contains such profound meanings.

Thousands of interpretations (Bhashyas) of the Bhagavad Gita have been written, and they continue to emerge. Thus, the Gita is an “ever-pregnant mother” (Nithya Garbhini Mathe), continuously giving birth to new insights.

~ Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha

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