Essence of the Gita (Gita Saar)

Chapter 1
Due to attachment to worldly objects, and being trapped in this dilemma, a
man becomes uncertain of, "what he should do and what he should not do". One
should not become enthralled and helpless (vashibhut) from delusion and
desire for happiness.

Chapter 2
This body is destructible, and the knower of this body is indestructible
(avinashi) - giving importance to this discrimination (vivek) and fulfilling
our duties - on imbibing and rendering useful any one of these two
solutions, worries (chintaa) and sorrows (shauk) will end.

Chapter 3
By simply doing ones duties promptly, primarily for the well-being of
others, without being attached to the fruits of these actions, one can
attain salvation.

Chapter 4
There are two ways for being released from the bondage of our actions
(karmabandhan) - 1) Realizing the essential nature of activity (karma), and
doing duties in a selfless manner (niswaarth bhaava) or 2) Realization of
the Supreme knowledge (tattva jnana).

Chapter 5
Faced with favorable and unfavorable circumstances, one should not become
happy or sad. A man who becomes happy or sad from changing situations, is
unable to rise above worldly matters and can never experience eternal joy
(param anand).

Chapter 6
With any spiritual practice, equanimity (samtaah) should come. Without
equanimity, a human being cannot entirely become free of mental agitations
(nirvikaar) and attain peace.

Chapter 7
 Everything is God - accepting this is the best of all spiritual practices.

Chapter 8
 Depending on the last thoughts, this embodied Soul attains it's end.
Therefore man should at all times be engaged in remembrance (smaran) of God,
and at the same time fulfill his duties in life. Doing so, even at the end,
man will remain in remembrance of God.

Chapter 9
 All men have the right to attain God Realization, whatever their caste,
stage in life, organization (sect), country, race, color etc.

Chapter 10
 In this world wherever one sees something amazing and wondrous, something
extraordinarily special, something magnificent, something prominent,
something with enormous strength etc. consider all these to be only God's
and remain in remembrance of only God.

Chapter 11
By considering this world to be God's divine form (manifestation), every man
is capable of realizing God's Universal form (Viraat Swaroop)

Chapter 12
The one who with his body, senses, mind, intellect, and entire being,
surrenders his Self (Swayam) to God, that man is dear to God.

Chapter 13
In this world there is only the one Supreme Consciousness (Paramatma tattva)
that is worth knowing. On knowing this Ultimate Consciousness, one can
realize immortality.

Chapter 14
To be released from the bondage of this world, it is essential to rise above
the three modes of nature - Sattwa (goodness), Rajas (high activity,
passion), Tamas (ignorance). A man can get beyond these three modes of
nature, this material existence, through single-minded exclusive devotion.

Chapter 15
In this world the main benefactor, the praiseworthy Personality and Ultimate
One is only God. Believing this implicitly and wholeheartedly, one should
engage in devotion and worship of God.

Chapter 16
It is only through evil propensities and ill conduct that a human being gets
caught, hurled in the cycle of birth and death and experiences sorrow. To
break away from this cycle, it is indispensable to give up evil propensities
and unrighteousness.

Chapter 17
Whatever auspicious work that is performed with deep faith and conviction,
man must commence it first by remembering God and reciting His Holy Name.

Chapter 18
The essence of all the scriptures is the Vedas, the essence of the Vedas is
Upanishads, and the essence of the Upanishads is the Gita, and the essence
of the Gita is sharanagati" (taking refuge in God). The one who with a firm
resolve and with implicit faith, exclusively takes refuge in God, God
releases him from all sins.

From "Bhagwan Aaj ji Mil Sakte Hai" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

Ram Ram

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