Bhagavad Gita- 108 Talks by Swami Sandeep Chaithanya

Bhagavad-Gita Yagna
by
Br. Sandeep Chaithanya of Chinmaya Mission.
Bhagavad Gita Yagnas are classes (lecture series) through which the Gita is explained for the benefit of the common people. H.H. Swami Chinmayananda started the tradition of Gita Yagnas in 1951 and many teachers are continuing it through Chinmaya Mission and other organizations. Guru Sandeep Chaithanya of Chinmaya Mission Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala, India) has been conducting a Gita Yagna for 108 days in Cochin. The following is the translation of the summaries of his daily lectures published in Mathrubhumi News Paper in Kerala. Translation is by A.P. Sukumar.

Day 001
The war begins when jealousy is born

War begins when you make others jealous. This message given by the Sage Vyasa is relevant at all times. The palace of Indraprastha was constructed by Pandawas with such an opulence so as to excite the human senses (indrias). The architect of demons, Maya built this palace as a ‘bribe’ to Pandawas in gratitude of saving his life from the forest fire of Khandawa. The palace was built to make others mesmerized and jealous, surpassing the basic needs of a palace, a place to live.

In this palace, Suyodhana (Duryodhana) came as an invited guest. Confused by the illusion and appearance of water on the palace floor, Suyodhana fell down flat exposing part of his body. As the lady of the house, Panchali (Droupadi) should have helped Suyodhana to get up, but she laughed at him seeing his misplaced robes and partial nudity. This moment is the seed of Mahabharatha war. Duryodhana decided in his mind to ridicule Panchali by disrobing her in public. It is this decision that evolved into the great war of Mahabharatha. More often than not, we build our houses, celebrate festivals and wear special clothes all with the aim to amaze others and make them jealous. The celebration of our weddings and birthday parties are all full of pomp and show just as Pandawas had their Rajasuyam. Ultimate result of such celebrations is jealousy and quarrel.

Any undertaking must be preceded by calm introspection and meditation as it would enable one to take decisions by discriminating between righteous and unrighteous actions. There will not be any regrets after such decisions.

One should see Bhagavd Gita as a dialogue between Man (Nara) and God (Narayana).