Tagged: bhagavad gita
Who is the real author of Bhagavat Gita? – By: BK. T.D Joseph
Article by: BK. T. D. Joseph, Bangalore, India tdjaum(AT)gmail.com – If you have questions or remarks about this article, please contact the author.
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Suppose you heard a great joke attributed to somebody. Prima facie, you know that this particular joke was cracked originally in some joyous occasion, but never in a funeral house! Because jokes are designed to make people laugh, not to make them mourn as happens in a funeral house. Similarly, if you really know the essence of Bhagavat Gita, you will immediately come to know whether it was delivered, as conventionally believed, in a physical battle-ground, or in some other time by somebody other than Krishna.
The Essence of Gita
MOVE FROM THE EPHEMERAL TO THE ETERNAL is the thread that runs throughoutThe Gita, as detailed below:
• “Be firmly attached to the Supreme Soul alone,” (2:48, 72; 8:7; 12:6, 7; 10:15; 14:4; 18:62) abandoning all attachment to the results and the temporary security, such as body, objects and relatives. (2:71; 9:33; 18:66)
• Treat “alike” all pairs of opposites such as “heat and cold,” “friend and foe,” “honor and dishonor” which comprehend the entire possibility of experiences in life—physical, mental and intellectual respectively.—Gita 2:14, 38, 45; 12:17-19; 14:24, 25; 18:54.
And this is called Sanatana Dharma or ETERNAL DUTY.—12:20; 14:27
A message of this sort makes no sense in a literal war-field as the listener is ordered to treat “friend and foe alike,” hence would not have been delivered as a prelude to a great war between two conflicted armies. Besides, participants of the so-called war were also not literal. For example, names of the key persons, such as 100 sons of Drutarashtra start with Du which means evil—Duryodhana (one who uses money for evil purposes), Dussasana (one who breathes out evil commands) … etc. No parents would name their children this way from birth before their character unfolds. The weapons purportedly used in Mahabharata War are also prophetic in nature, which would exist only in our period. So is the case with the number of soldiers killed in the war, which is so great a number that can also happen only in our time. [The place where the war was supposed to have taken place, Kurukshetra, is a small village in India which could not have accommodated even a fraction of that army.] Thus, the prophetic nature of Mahabharata (of which Gita is claimed to be a part) picturises a future global situation, climax of the Iron Age, which is actually the time we are now living in, where weapons of mass destruction are a reality and the evils such as “lust, anger and greed” are the actual rulers of the present world system of things.
Who authored Gita?
In its chapter 3, verse 3 says: “O sinless one, at the onset of creation, a two-fold path of spiritual discipline was given by ME to this world: the path of Self-knowledge (Gyan Yoga) for the contemplative, and the path of unselfish work (Karma Yoga) for the active.” Then verse 24 says it is He who sustains the three worlds. Thus these verses clearly identify the author of Gita as the same as the Author of the universe, who is also called “Supreme Ruler of the Universe” and “the Father, the Well-Wisher and the Friend of all beings,” from which SHIVA, the most appropriate personal name of God derives. (Gita 5:29; 9:17; 10:1). [This may remind one of JEHOVA, which also has those two phonetic parts, ‘SHI’ & ‘VA’, meaning Redeemer] He is also called “the origin and the dissolution,” (Gita 9:18) which are the basis of the symbol of Siva Lingam (Lin, Sanskrit, equivalent of laya which means dissolution; gam, from agamaman, which means arrival / comimg). Thus Siva Lingam is a pointer, which stands for that entity which destroys [the heaven-turned hell, now existing on earth] and re-creates [the hell into heaven on earth] that happens at the end of every Kalpa (cycle of 5000 years).—Compare Gita 9:7; 8:17; 4:1-8)
Now who is the actual recipient of the message?
If major elements are all symbolic, then the recipient also should be symbolic. Though various forms of addressing are used, one particular addressing, “O sinless one,” used in Gita 3:3 suggests that Gita message will be actually conveyed, in detail and in absolute clarity, to a group of people whose hallmark will be purity, who will appear on the world scene toward the end of the Iron Age. God Himself identifies them as those “who are rejoiced to hear ME,” those “who know ME as the Supreme Lord of the universe, and are undeluded and free from ALL SINS,” “who are worshipping ME with loving ecstasy [or intoxication],” ‘whose minds remain absorbed in ME and whose lives surrendered unto ME and who always enlighten each other by talking about ME and remain ever content and delighted.’ (Gita 10:1, 3, 8, 9). In other words, God is the ultimate Doer of Good, and so are his children who “do good to all beings,” taking delight in doing so.” (Gita 5:25; 12:4) Those who associate with Brahmakumaris can testify that this description perfectly fits with them.
Why is it called “eternal duty”?
The above-mentioned subject matter (sermon) of Gita is called “eternal duty,” because it is reinforced at the end of each Kalpa (cycle of 5000 years). This is in fulfillment of God’s own promise that He would reincarnate at the end of each Kalpa when there is a sharp decline of righteousness and religiousness on a global scale, which we are experiencing now. (Gita 4:7; 11:18) This means God, the Supreme Father of all souls, has already arrived in our time, has been repeating the Gita, and reestablished Adi Sanatan Devi- Devata Dharm (the Original Eternal Deity Religion), which gets continued in Satyug (Golden Age) and Tretayug (Silver Age) in the next Kalpa / Time Cycle.
Those who associate with Brahma Kumaris experience first-hand the exposition of the essence of Gita through their daily morning class called Murli. By their adherence to this, they naturally become pure, the white-clad Pandavas in a spiritual sense, who fight against vices [the real enemy of man, according to Gita 3:34, 37; 16:21] of Maya as to remain “firmly attached to Supreme Father,” thus to enter into the Golden Age that is already on the horizon!
The Mahabharat story is being played now in this Iron Age (Kaliyug). Let us listen to the divine versions of God delivered at this time, and imbibe them so that we can take part in ushering in the Golden age (Satyug) where all the people would be healthy, wealthy and wise.
THE SERMONISER OF THE GITA –WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY, HOW? – -an invitation to know.
The following well written article came as a response to a question of a reader: http://wp.me/p2fovd-R8
and it is an invitation for others to follow on this initiative.
The short link for this article is: http://wp.me/p2fovd-RC which could be shared with anyone.
Authors of this article:
B.K.Gayathri, B.K.Khem Jokhoo, B.K.Dr.Kamta, B.K.Ranjit Singh Fulia, B.K.Prakash Talathi, & B.K.Aarti.
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most popular scriptures which people have been reading and teaching daily with great devotion. Some of the verses of Gita are very well known. In one popular verse – Krishna says that he would incarnate in the world when there is a decline of righteousness and unrighteiousness prevails, to establish dharma.
According to the cycles of time there are four main ages or epochs namely Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwapuryuga, and then Kaliyuga.
It is believed that Shri Krishna sermonized the Gita in Dwapur Yuga.
The question that many people are asking is that- If Shri Krishna had sermonised the Gita in Dwapur Yuga to establish righteousness, the age that followed DwaparYuga is Kaliyuga. Everyone knows that Kaliyuga is full of unrighteousness, devilishness, and there is an all-round decline of moral and spiritual values. So if Krishna comes in Dwapur Yuga Kaliyuga should be better but it is not the case.
It is written in many scriptures that there is a time when there would be a great destruction of the humanity (pralaya)
Since time spins in a cyclic pattern according to the kaal chakra [wheel of time], when Kaliyuga ends, Sat Yuga, the Age of Righteousness or Dharma, starts and the creation would be replete with all celestial degrees. There will be health, wealth, and happiness for everyone in Satyuga and it would be veritable heaven on earth.
So, one may wonder whether God is going to incarnate now at the end of Kaliyug, and Sermonize Gita again and re-educate His children to become righteous.
It is more logical to think that He would incarnate at the end of Kaliyuga and the beginning of Satyuga or, to be exact, at the confluence or meeting of these two ages.
This period can be called the Confluence Age or Sangam Yuga which would be a fifth Age. So the five Ages woud be Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwapuryuga, Kaliyuga and Sangam Yuga.
Now, let us examine the aspect of what is the form and attributes of God, the only one who has the power to change this impure world.
2. WHO – Shri Krishna or God Shiva?
Some people call God ‘Ishwar’, some call Him Jehova, while some call him ‘Allah’, but He and His form remain the same.
1) God is one who is accepted by all,
2) God is the Supreme,
3) God is beyond all bondages of action,
4) God is omniscient,
5) God is boundless or unlimited in all His attributes.
God is the father, mother, friend, preceptor / guide, teacher and protector of all souls. He is the only one who has no parents, guide, teacher or protector above Him.
Unlike human souls, God doesn’t come into the cycle of birth and death. Hence He is called ‘ Ajanma’ (One who doesn’t take birth).
It is said in the Gita, “I am ‘Mahakaal ‘ (the great death ]. Death can never approach me.”
Upon taking birth, humans are bound to act and get the fruit of their actions. God, however, is ‘Akarta’ (one who does not perform any action) and ‘Abhokta’ (one who doesn’t experience the result of any action).
God is said to be ‘Trikaldarshi’ (one who knows the three aspects of time – the past, present and future).
God is described as Trilokinath or Lord of the three worlds.
He is also described as Trinetri or one with ‘three eyes’. He bestows the knowledge of the third eye on humans.
3. Who is the Supreme soul? What did He do?
God Shiva is referred to as Paramatma [Param+atma -the Supreme Soul], while all the other gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon are called devi devatas or deities. That is why the prayer, Brahma devaaya namah, Vishnu devaaya namah, Shankar devaaya namah…, ends with Shiv paramaatmaaya namah.
The Supreme Soul never takes birth as humas do. He however takes a divine birth to salvage humanity. Divine birth means that He does not come into the womb of a mother; He enters the body of a human being whom He names Prajapita Brahma. He uses the organ of the mouth of this individual called Brahma to speak. He gives the knowledge to create the new world or Satyuga.
Since His birth is divine and spiritual, God is the One who does not have parents. That’s why the word ‘Shambhu’ is suffixed to Shiva. ‘Shambhu’ is short for ‘Swayambhu’ – the One who is self created. The Supreme Soul has no father or mother, friend or relative, preceptor or protector. He is also described as the One who is beyond the cycle of birth and death.
It is said that Lord Rama himself made and worshipped a Shiva lingam in Rameswaram before defeating Ravan. Sri Krishna worshipped the Shiva lingam at Gopeshwar. Similarly, it is said that on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, before the war started, all the five Pandavs and Krishna worshipped Lord Shiva as Sthaneshwar(Lord of the Place) to gain powers. It is described in the scriptures that whenever the deities faced any problems, they used to rush to Lord Shiva for help.
We see pictures depicting Mahadev, Shankar, doing tapasya in front of a Shivalingam. It means that deity Shankar and Shiva are two separate entities.
Shankar has a subtle body whereas Shiva is nirakar or incorporeal, meaning, He does not have a sublte or gross bodily form.
Maha dev Shankar is not worshipped in the form of a lingam;
The Lingam is called Shiva lingam not Shankar lingam. Shankar is shown wearing a crescent moon, a snake around his neck, and river Ganges flowing from his head.
The conclusion that can be drawn is that Rama, Sri Krishna, and Shankar are deities whereas Shiva is Parmatma or the supreme soul.
God Shiva is incorporeal; He is a Point of Light, or Jyoti Bindu. For the purpose of worship devotees use a Shiva lingum as it is not practical to worship a bindi or Jyoti bindu, Shiva’s true form.
The Supreme Soul, Supreme Father Shiva is the Creator of the three murthis of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadev Shankar. God Shiva creates the New world through Brahma, sustains that world through Vishnu, and carries out destruction of the iron aged world through Shankar.
God is described as Satyam, Shivam , Sundaram, that is, the TRUTH, the BENEFACTOR, and as BEAUTIFUL.
God is the Truth, God is the Benefactor, God is beautiful (constantly pure). He is Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram.
4 – The descent of Shiv Paramatma at Sangamyuga, according to scriptures
If the spiritual secrets behind the festival of Shivratri are understood, world transformation will take place easily. Shivratri is not a festival for just Shaivites. If one studies ancient civilizations and cultures it becomes apparent that Shivratri is a festival for all souls of the world.
For example, in the Mahabharata it’s written – “When this world plunged into clutches of darkness and vicious proliferation, an egg-like form of light descended and established a new world order. The light uttered a few words and gave divine birth to Prajapita Brahma.”
In the Manu smriti, it is mentioned that in the very beginning of creation, a point of light manifested itself, and its brilliance was like that of a thousand suns.
Likewise, in the Dharma Samhita part of Shivpuran, it is stated that at the end of Kaliyug, during the time of destruction, a magnificent light (Jyotirling) revealed itself and it was blindingly luminous and radiant.
Further, it is said that the light was eternal and it never decreased or increased in size, and that the world was created through this light.
When God Shiva descends at confluence of kaliyuga and Satyuga, or Sangam yuga He gives the knowledge that Time moves in a cyclic pattern and that all the 4 ages (Satyuga , Treta, Dwapar,and Kaliyug) get repeated every cycle or kalpa. A kalpa is of 5000 years duration.
The 100 year period between the end of Kaliyuga and the beginning of Satyuga is called the Sangam yuga or Confluence Age. It is the most auspicious age because God comes on earth at that time. In fact it is the most elevated age because man becomes elevated hence it is also called Purshotam sangam yuga.
When God Shiva comes, He sermonises Gita, and establishes the Original Eternal Deity Religion (Adi Sanatan Devi- Devata Dharm). This is the religion that gets continued in Satyug and Treta yug. God’s descent and incarnation on earth is known as Shivratri or Shiv jayanti. Since He sermonizes the Gita it is also the birth of the Gita.
Not only Hindus, but Jews, Christians and Muslims also believe in an incorporeal God. There are Shiva temples in every nook and corner of India. He is venerated as Vishwanath in the east (Kashi), Amarnath in the north, Rameshwar in the south, Somnath in the west, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Kedarnath in the Himalayas, Vaidyanath in Bihar, Omkarnath in Madhya Pradesh, Bhuvaneshwar, and Dwarka. In Nepal, Shiva is worshipped as Pashupatinath.
The ancient names of God such as ‘Shuin’ in Babylon, ‘Seva’ or ‘Sevajya’ in Syria, Egypt and Fiji; ‘Sibru’ in the land occupied by the progeny of Abraham and Jehova are not too different from the Sanskrit word ‘Shiva’, which, according to some scholars, is the confluence of two phonetic parts, ‘shi’ and ‘va’, meaning redeemer and liberator from sins and sufferings.
From the above, it may be inferred that Supreme Soul Shiva has done something praiseworthy for the betterment of the whole world and hence He is remembered by people of all cultures and religions in different ways.
The Supreme Soul, God, incarnates in Sangamyug and educates human beings on how to lead a pure and elevated life. His sermons are called shrimat. It is the real Gita sermonised by God Himself that becomes instrumental in establishing a new world order, a new religion called Adi Sanatana Devi devata Dharm (The Original Eternal Deity Religion)..
5. Is Gita originally a part of Mahabarat?
Students of Sanskrit literature are well aware that the original name of epic Mahabharat was Jai Samhita which contained around 8000 shlokas (verses). Some more writers went on adding to it and it was later re-named Bharat Samhita, keeping in view that it was the story of this great country called Bharat. Many more writers subsequently added more matter and it became quite voluminous in size. Then its name was changed to Mahabharat.
In Gita, there are 700 Sanskrit verses contained within 18 chapters, divided into three sections each consisting of six chapters. They are Karma Yoga– the yoga of actions. Bhakti Yoga– the yoga of devotion and Jnana Yoga– the yoga of knowledge. From Gita one can learn accurate and fundamental knowledge about God, the ultimate truth, creation, birth and death, the results of actions, the eternal soul, liberation and the purpose as well as the goal of human life.
Some scholars opine that Gita was originally a separate granth/ book which was later on included in Mahabharat. They contend that in most parts of Gita, there is no mention of any physical war. What is dealt in it is a spiritual war –mention of soul, God, nature, birth, re-birth, action or karma, devotion, virtues and vices, salvation, etc.
Mahabharat is an epic, it is not a history book. Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, an eminent philosopher (ex president of India), also had, in his book on Gita, written – “We do not know the name of the author of the Gita; so also the names of the authors of almost all ancient books of Bharat are unknown.”
6. What is the time now in the time cycle?
Presently, we are in Sangamyuga. God Shiva has descended on earth and has been teaching the ancient Raj yoga. His elevated versions are called shrimat. God is sermonising Gita once again in this kalpa during this Sangamyuga.
Brahma kumaris have been spreading His teachings since 75 years. This Raja yoga course is given free of charge. There are already around 8,500 Brahma Kumaris centres in 134 countries. Brahma Kumaris Organisation has been working with the United Nations for world peace and upliftment of humanity for more than 30 years and received many awards.
You are all welcome to learn this Raj yoga and to establish a link with the Supreme Soul who is the Ocean of Knowledge and World Almighty Authority.
Om shanti.
Question: BKs say that all four yugs combined are of 5000 years. Then in which yug were dinosaurs? I am really curious to know.
🙂 Thank you for your question…
So we are back into “dino” question.
Have you seen a dinosaur? Why do you believe in them? Is that a new religion? 🙂
Personally, I haven’t seen one, and as mentioned before, here. my position is of “dino-agnosticism.”
If you have the disposition, you may want to read this which is what I have written about before.
Do you wonder why I take the “dino-agnostic” view on dinosaurs?
Simply because, if you believe like scientists that humans have existed in “linear time” for 500000 to 1 million years ago; that is not logically possible according to the graph in this post ( World population from 1800 to 2100, based on UN 2004 projections and US Census Bureau historical estimates;) for our rate of population should be way higher than what it is right now. That is a “faulty theory,” lacking reasoning and logic. Therefore, If scientists have problems with the origin of our own species and are miscalculating our rate of population, Why should I feel comfortable with their “evidence” of dinos living 65 million years ago? You see my logic? 🙂
If dinosaurs have in fact existed, then it had to be in a time where all continents were present on the Earth (If you follow BK knowledge that could happen between the copper age and the end of the confluence age) Why? Because accordingly, dinosaurs bones have been found everywhere, including in India. Now let me ask you a few questions:
In which continent a T-Rex originated? How do they migrated from continent to continent? why do they became extinct even if living in different continents? AND….how exactly humans appeared when at the time these monsters were living there were no humans alive? 🙂 I am curious to hear that!
So here is a link which explains that dinosaurs exist even now.
Also, let me tell you that I have my own little theory of “Dinos,” how do they appeared and disappeared and in which time period… but BK gyan does not explain about it neither the Bhagavad Gita, nor the Bible… so I will save you from reading that..unless you want to… 🙂 Hey! Everyone has the right to have their own theory! Followers are wanted. 🙂
So, I go back to the beginning and ask: Have you seen a dino recently? Are any of the Indian scriptures talking about them? Or this is just a recent “foreigner import” just like the UFOs?
Best wishes,