THE BHAGAVAD GITA
Story Telling was the main form of historic record keeping in times before widespread literacy. In the stories of old, we find morals, good vs. evil, triumph of the good, the list goes on. How many of us have heard the tale of Hansel and Gretel?
In today's post, contributed by Suzanne Sarbourin, we take a quick trip down one of the stories of yoga. Our ancient practice has roots thousands of years old, long before wide-spread literacy--so it was the stories that helped to shape the society and the peoples to which they were told. Let's explore this rich history, as told by The Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita
by Suzanne Sarbourin
This text was originally delivered in Sanskrit, and is a sweeping saga on the epic war about the Kuru dynasty of India translated today in nearly every language. This story of a 3,000-year- old battle is considered a foundational text for the practice of yoga.
But how can reading about war lead to inner peace?
And what does this have to do with yoga today?
The Gita serves as both an ancient story of battle and a spiritual text on the inner struggle for self-mastery and the attainment of happiness through yoga.
The Bhagavad Gita takes place as a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Sri Krishna who is disguised as his chariot driver, friend and council. The story opens with a scene on the battlefield with Arjuna asking Krishna for guidance. Knowing that by engaging in this war family members and friends will be lost on both sides of the battle line, Arjuna is faced with a personal and ethical crisis.
The resulting conversation between Arjuna and Krishna develops into a discourse on the nature of the soul, the purpose of one’s life, and the threefold path of yoga. Scores of philosophers have likened the battlefield of Kurukshetra to the battleground that lies within each of us. Though Arjuna’s conversation with Krishna is deeply personal, it touches on topics of concern to people everywhere that continue to trouble us today.
For students of yoga, the Gita brings to life its foundational principles and methods: discernment, equanimity and non-attachment.
By incorporating the yogic philosophies within his responses to Arjuna’s dilemma, Krishna patiently and eloquently teaches Arjuna how to apply them to his life to relieve him from his suffering and to attain eternal happiness. Through hearing Krishna’s examples and allegories, we too learn how to further understand and apply these teachings to our daily lives.
With every age, the important words will carry new and expanding meanings but its central teaching will never vary. Join us Friday, June 1st at 6:30pm for An Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita in which we will dive into this deep well which reveals the complete science of yoga and self-realization by refining our understanding and practice of the tools of yoga.