Introduction
Thank you, God, for inspiring me to write this book. The goal is to keep it concise, encouraging readers to explore the complete Bhagavad Gita. I've avoided interpretations, focusing on summarizing Shri Krishna's teachings.
Many people avoid reading the entire Gita due to its length. My aim is to make this book thin yet relevant. For detailed understanding, I recommend reading the full version by great Yogis, some of whom are mentioned below.
I express gratitude to Swamy Mukundanand ji for being the first link between God and me. This work is based on the divine knowledge from Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita and the commentaries by Swamy Mukundanand ji, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan ji, and various writers at Gita Press - Gorakhpur. Discussions with family and friends were also crucial.
Special thanks to Dr. Swapnil Garg, Dr. Madhulika Mehrotra, and Ms. Chaitali Sarkar for their contributions.
I've utilized OpenAI's Chat GPT-3.5, 4, and 4.0 to assist in editing the text for English, specifically instructing it not to rely on its prior knowledge of the Holy Bhagavad Gita.
Relevance of Bhagavad Gita
We all seek happiness but often fail because we look for it in finite material pleasures instead of moving towards the infinite bliss of God. In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna provides a clear path to eternal happiness. Those who read and embrace its teachings find a peaceful and blissful existence.
The Bhagavad Gita imparts lessons on two essential aspects of life:
1. Eternal Truth: It teaches that God is the ultimate truth, and our ultimate goal is to return to Him.
2. Practice of Yoga with God: The Gita guides us on how to live, what actions to take, and what to avoid. Through its verses, Shri Krishna defines the qualities of a perfect person.
While reading the Bhagavad Gita, remember that Shri Krishna guides us on the path to Moksha, which every soul aspires to attain. Moksha is freedom from the cycle of life and death, where our soul, a tiny fragment of the Lord, merges with the Divine. In this book, I will condense what Shri Krishna spoke in each chapter, striving to keep it as simple as possible.
The Bhagavad Gita comprises 18 chapters, which can be roughly divided into three portions.
Chapters 1 to 6 focus on Karm Yog, the path of duty, where Shri Krishna explains the importance of fulfilling one's responsibilities selflessly.
Chapters 7 to 12 emphasize the path of Bhakti, loving devotion to God, as Shri Krishna reveals the significance of surrendering to the Divine with unwavering faith.
Chapters 13 to 18 revolve around knowledge of religious texts (Vedas) and principles to lead a life aimed at attaining Moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Please note that it is assumed readers are familiar with the outline of the story of the Mahabharat. If not, I recommend seeking information from someone who knows the story for a brief summary.
May the Lord bless us all.