By SJMKL Editorial Team
The Bhagavad Gita (BG) or The Song of Bhagavan, often referred to simply as the Gita, is a 700-verse scripture that is part of the ancient epic, Mahabharata. It is presented in 18 chapters and each chapter deals with a particular and separate form of yoga; where it serves to train the mind and body.
The setting of this majestic scripture in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, has been interpreted as an allegory or tale for the ethical and moral struggles within us and of the problems of human life. In essence, the applicability of the principles of The Bhagavad Gita to crisis management involving the mind, body and soul is clearly stated. Unlike others, The Bhagavad Gita is the only book that deals with all these three aspects and is a compilation of words as directly spoken (verbatim) by LORD KRSNA Himself; others are credited as testimonies. The BG has been extensively translated and is available in more than 59 languages. The world’s first braille version of this scripture, with the original Sanskrit text and a Hindi commentary was published on 30 November 2007.
The Bhagavad Gita As It Is is accepted as the essence of all Vedic knowledge as quoted in the Gita-mahatmaya 7
Quote
In the present day, people are very much eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation.
Therefore, let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world – Bhagavad-gita.
Let there be one God for the whole world – Sri Krsna
and one hymn, one mantra, one prayer – the chanting of His name:
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
and let there be one work only – the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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Ultimately, ISKCON Founder Acarya AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada gives the conclusion that society should be “Krishna conscious” – enlightened by devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna (God). Suffice to say that HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabupada spread the essence of the Bhagavadgita to the four corners of the world. Lord Krsna demanded of it and Swami Prabupada and ISKON have facilitated this.
Quote (BG 18.65)
Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.
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Many great souls have referred to The Bhagavad Gita as their source of inspiration. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi for example, took shelter in the Gita for its emphasis on selfless service and he said:-
Quote:
When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of external tragedies and if they have not left any visible or invisible effect on me, I owe it to the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita
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Devotees at Sri Jagannatha Mandir ,ISKCON Malaysia National Headquarters in Taman Yarl , Kuala Lumpur were fortunate to witness the symbolic yet modest Annual Celebration of the introduction of the Bhagavad Gita on Friday 13th December 2013. They were among the fortunate few to have had the privilege and good fortune to be part of this auspicious event.
To mark the occasion, Gokul Garden children recited verses from The Bhagavad Gita As It Is and were duly rewarded with medals for their effort by The Regional Secretary, HG Simheswara Prabu.
To further encourage the distribution of BG, The Management offered The Bhagavad Gita As It Is at a subsidized price of RM25.00 (normal price – RM35.00). A total of thirty (30) books were sold.
By SJMKL Editorial Team