Bhagavad Gita, Quotes, Facts and History

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Hindu text in written in Sanskrit. The text is a section of the Mahabharata. The text consists of Krishna expounding on philosophy and morality to Arjuna to prepare him for the battle of Kurukshetra.

Bhagavad Gita Quotes, Facts, Text, History - What is the Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad-gita, literally meaning Song of God, and also known as Gītopanishad or simply "Gita", is the essence of Vedic knowledge and one of the most important Upanishads in Vedic literature. It is revered as a sacred scripture of Hinduism, and considered as one of the most important philosophical classics of the world. The content of the Gita is the conversation between Krishna—who is claimed to be the incarnation of a supreme god in human form—and Arjuna—who is regarded in Hindu mythology as the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata—taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra war. Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma about fighting his own cousins, Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince and elaborates on different Yogic and Vedantic philosophies, with examples and analogies. This has led to the Gita often being described as a concise guide to Hindu theology and also as a practical, self-contained guide to life. The Bhagavad Gita is constituted of 18 chapters, each entailing multiple verses or texts.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the goal of life is to free the mind from selfish desire and to focus on the glory of Krishna, by dedicating one's actions to the divine. The Yoga way is to engage oneself in a higher form of activity through meditation, action, devotion and knowledge (see Dangers of Yoga).

The primary purpose of the Bhagavad-Gita purportedly to illuminate for all of humanity the realization of the true nature of divinity; for the highest spiritual conception and the greatest material perfection is to attain love of God.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is recorded to have said:

"Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship only Me, O son of Kuntī, but they do so in a wrong way. I am the only enjoyer and master of all sacrifices. Therefore, those who do not recognize My true transcendental nature fall down. hose who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me. If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform — do that, O son of Kuntī, as an offering to Me. In this way you will be freed from bondage to work and its auspicious and inauspicious results. With your mind fixed on Me in this principle of renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me. I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him." (Bhagavad Gita 9:23-29)

If Krishna (who is supposed to be the incarnation of one of the supreme gods in Hinduism) is equal to all, as he claims, why then worship him? I would not want to worship someone as God unless I knew that he was superior to me, i.e., that he was my creator, the author of my life, the God of the universe and of me, and the supreme good for everything, including me, which all other good flows from.

The equality found in the Bhagavad Gita probably stems from the Hinduistic belief that all men can attain to godhood, or that all men can become "God". Hindus believe that, when a person dies, his spirit is given another earthly body, that of an animal, a person of another caste (social level), or a god, depending on how he lived his current life. This cycle of death and rebirth continues on and on until one is finally released. Hinduism explains that the soul reincarnates until all karmas are resolved and "God Realization" is attained. All souls according to them, without exception, will attain this highest spiritual summit, though it may take many lives until finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where man and God are forever one.

The Hinduistic view of God is ultimately an impersonal, eternal force, essence, or power of existence, having none of the attributes or characteristics of persons (such as knowing, thinking, loving, etc.). This force, called Brahman, is present everywhere in everything in nature, especially in all living things: every plant, every animal, and especially every man. The attributes of personality are believed to exist only in physical, material beings. But God, in pure form, is impersonal and has no personal characteristics. This impersonal essence, pervading all things, is also found within us. So, the "spirit" within us is Divine. It is part of God. The real inner you is "God". Your inner essence is the essence of Deity. The Bhagavad-Gita says our eternal souls are "part and parcels of God." "The soul is a small God" (Bhagavad Gita, Back - inside front cover and page 6).

Because Brahma is everything, Hinduism asserts that everyone and everything is divine. This view is called "pantheism," the belief that everything is God and that reality consists only of the universe and nature. Because everything is God, many Hindu philosophies makes no distinction between man and God. This desire of becoming god is what the devil's influence brings to the heart of those who refuse to obey God. The claim that man are evolving into gods—or are already gods—is merely the devil's age-old lie found way back in Genesis 3:4,5: "You will not surely die… you shall be like Gods…" And this most definitely is the path mysticism takes a person down. Mysticism brings worship with "spirit", but it is a counterfeit spirit because it is not derived from the truth or directed at the One and only God! Instead, it is directed at self and self-enlightenment and the so called attainment of "Godhood". It is little more than self-worship disguised as a high level of spirituality.

Satan has always wanted to be worshiped as God. Look at his arrogant words in Isaiah. 14:13: "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly [wanting all to worship him], on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain." This sounds like 2 Thessalonians 2:4 which says, "He opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, and even sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." And as Revelation 13:4 says, "Men worshiped the dragon [who is Satan—see Rev. 12:9]…"

Isaiah 14:14 continues recording Satan's words: "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." The devil has always wanted to be like God and to be worshiped in place of God. He even tried to tempt Jesus by showing "Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me'" (Matthew 4:8,9). Jesus replies in Matthew 4:10: "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve'" (referencing Deuteronomy 10:20).

Jesus constantly warns people not to be deceived (Luke 21:8). In Luke 11:35 He says, "See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." Indeed, "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8), but he (the devil) "masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14), thereby deceiving his victims until it is too late. The Bhagavad Gita indeed "masquerades as an angel of light" to those who view it as inspired, but it's a deception of the devil as with all other false religions. The next couple of quotes and facts about the Bhagavad Gita and Hinduism will make this even more clear. Krishna, the supreme god of the Hindus says:

"Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes." (Bhagavad Gita 9:30-31)

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that even if one commits the most abominable action, like pedophilia, so long as one is "devoted" to him one is considered a saint and will never perish! But is this truly so? Definitely not! The above quote is a good example of the devil's deception in the Bhagavad Gita. The devil loves to imprint a false hope or security in sinful people and to make them feel "comfortable" in their sin. Such evil messages will not encourage people to stop sinning, because so long as they are "devoted" to Krishna, they are "good" and "saintly" and "saved" anyway. The kind of devotion that Krishna is advocating is nothing but the "appearance" of devotion that is completely devoid of all virtue and goodwill. A person who commits abominable actions cannot truly be devoted to the One and true God or be saintly, as long as he continues in heresy or abominable actions. Only when a person embrace the true Faith and cease with committing mortal sin, along with having a will never again to commit a mortal sin, can he be considered as being devote. However, it doesn't mean, of course, that just because a person stays away from sin, that he is automatically devoted or that he will be saved. Many people, for example, are devoid of devotion even though they outwardly appear to be devote or good. Any person can practice prayers or good works, especially if one has made it a part of one's daily life. Devotion is found first and foremost in the good life, intent, will, mind and heart of man, and not in an outward (and many times habitual) practise or appearance.

The Bhagavad Gita theology of being saintly and being assured of never perishing even though one commits the most abominable actions – just because one is devoted externally to Krishna – much resembles the protestant heresy of Saved by Faith Alone and Once Saved Always Saved (or Eternal Security). In fact, they are so similar that there is no doubt that they come from the same source: the Devil. These doctrines contradict both the natural law and reason which says that every man shall be rewarded or punished for his deeds. It also contradicts, word for word, the teaching of James 2 in scripture, which teach that faith without works is dead, and that man is not saved by faith or devotion alone. A person who believes in faith alone or eternal security or that one is saintly even though one commits abominable actions, is a heretic, because he rejects a truth he knows to be true from the natural law, that God is a rewarder and a punisher of our actions, and that faith alone or external practices does not justify a man only, but our deeds and intentions also.

Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God."

The message of Bhagavad-Gita is inherently satanic. To begin with the simplest of criticism, in chapter 9: verse 32 of Gita, Krishna says that even women, vaisyas [merchants], sudras [low-level workers], or any people of sinful birth go to the supreme abode, if they take his shelter. In verse 9:33, he says then what to say about righteous brahmanas, devotees, and saintly kings! This means that women – alongside vaisyas, sudras, and people of sinful birth – are considered to be of lower birth/type than righteous brahmanas, devotes, and saintly kings, and that Krishna does not consider women to be in the category of "righteous brahmanas". So women are either unrighteous brahmanas or not brahmanas at all.

Here are two translations of Bhagavad Gita, chapter 9: verse 32-33:

"O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth — women, vaiśyas [merchants] and śūdras [workers] — can attain the supreme destination. How much more this is so of the righteous brāhmaṇas, the devotees and the saintly kings. Therefore, having come to this temporary, miserable world, engage in loving service unto Me." (Bhagavad Gita, chapter 9: verse 32-33)

"O Arjuna, even those who may be born from the wombs of degraded women, merchants and menials; if they take full shelter of Me, they also reach the supreme goal. What then again of devotees, virtues brāhmaṇas and saintly kings; having achieved this transient world full of misery, engage in devotional service unto Me." (Bhagavad Gita, chapter 9: verse 32-32)

The following is a classic Hindu commentary on the above passage:

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary (on Bhagavad Gita 9:32-33): "It has been established that bhakti or loving devotion to Lord Krishna exclusively purifies a devotee of the blemish of heinous and abominable practices due to unrighteous character and habits and that bhakti alone is capable of leading such a one directly to the supreme destination of the spiritual worlds and into Supreme Lords eternal association. Now Lord Krishna enumerates on this supreme destination even being accessible to those who are unworthy due to circumstances of birth. This includes those of vile birth such as untouchables, mleechas or meateaters, those born illegitimately, those without education, vaisyas or the mercantile class which is situated below women and above sudras which is the menial class. All these lack the qualification for Vedic knowledge and thus destitute of righteous conduct are only eligible to exist on the lowest path of existence; but if they somehow or other receive the mercy of a devotee of Lord Krishna. By this mercy taking sole refuge in the Supreme Lord then they also will verily reach the Supreme destination as well.

"After having explained the position of the lowly and unfortuante Lord Krishna follows the line of thought of how much more assured is the supreme destination attainable by the higher members of society like the Brahmins and Vaisnavas who are noble and righteous. If those of low birth and demerits can attain the supreme destination then how much more can those of high birth and much merit including the royal sages who are the best of the ksatriyas or warrior class as well as the seekers of truth. This goes without question."

Remember, Krishna considers people as "saintly", even if they commit the most abominable action, so long as they are engaged in devotional service to him. This logically means that a pious woman is lower and more vile than a wicked king.

However, contrary to Hinduistic teaching, God does not consider anyone as vile, low or sinful because of his birth, because God looks into the heart of man and not on outward appearances or births. In Christianity, only those are vile, low and sinful that actually commits sins, whether in deed or thought, and who does not repent and turn away from their sin.

Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God."

Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother sin against thee, reprove him: and if he do penance, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day be converted unto thee, saying, I repent; forgive him."

Proverbs 28:13 "He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy."

God in His foreknowledge knew how sinful and rotten most of mankind would be, but He looked beyond our unworthiness and saw our need for redemption. Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again from the grave to TAKE AWAY our sins through baptism. Jesus did this by the shedding of His own physical blood. 1st Peter 1:18,19, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Christ died for all men, because God loves His children.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

The Bhagavad Gita's teaching on lower birth/type stems from the Hinduistic belief in reincarnation and the cast system. The caste system in India is directly related to their religious beliefs. Hinduism teaches that anyone born into a lower caste is being punished for the sins committed in his past life. If such a person is calmly resigned to his fate and lives rightly, he will be elevated in caste in his next life. This premise tends to make the members of the lower castes and the untouchables submissive to the terrible economic and social conditions under which they live.

The castes became hereditary which meant that all sons are necessarily members of the same caste as their fathers and that he has to follow his father's occupation. The 25,000 modern castes even include a caste of thieves! If someone is expelled from his caste or has no caste by birth, he is known as an Untouchable or Dalit, a pariah, and such a person is in a hopeless and pitiable condition. There are currently more than 250,000,000 untouchables or Dalits worldwide with around 180,000,000 million of them living in India alone. Surely, only the devil could have come up with something this evil.

While the discrimination based on caste system (not the caste system itself) has been abolished under the Indian constitution since 1950, discrimination and prejudice against Dalits in South Asia still occur. According to a UN report, approximately 110,000 cases of violent acts committed against Dalits were reported in 2005. The report claimed 6.7 cases of violent acts per 10000 Dalit people. For context, the UN reported between 40 and 55 cases of violent acts per 10000 people in developed countries in 2005; and the total number of cases pending in various courts of India, on Dalit related and non-Dalit related matters were 31.28 million as of 2010.

Lastly, the Bhagavad Gita is full of contradictions and absurdities, Krishna being a sinner, and yet claiming to be holy and divine, and all that. And some of the verses are conspicuously false and stupid – e.g. Bhagavad Gita 3:14, which states that rains are produced because yajna (a ritual of sacrifice, worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation etc.) is performed.

Contrary to Krishna who sinned, Jesus Christ was sinless! He was the perfect sin offering, for the sins of all humanity, because he was without the spot and blemish of original sin and personal sin. Although he was God manifested in flesh, he was also fully man. So, what does this mean for you? Jesus is the ultimate reality! Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. God offers all of us forgiveness and salvation through baptism if we will simply receive His gift to us (John 1:12), believing Jesus to be the Savior who laid down His life for us – His friends. If you place your trust in Jesus as your only Savior and die in state of grace (free from mortal sin), you will have absolute assurance of eternal bliss in Heaven. God will forgive your sins, cleanse your soul, renew your spirit, give you abundant life in this world, and eternal bliss in the next world. How can we reject such a precious gift? How can we turn our backs on God who loved us enough to sacrifice Himself for us?

If you are unsure about what you believe, we invite you to say the following prayer to God; "God, help me to know what is true. Help me to discern what is error. Help me to know what is the correct path to salvation." God will always honor such a prayer.

If you want to receive the faith and Jesus as your Savior, simply speak to God, verbally or silently, receive baptism (how to convert to the true Biblical Faith), obey His Church and His Law, and tell Him that you want to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. If you want a prayer to say, here is an example: "God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for sacrificing yourself for me. Thank you for providing for my forgiveness and salvation. I want to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus. I want to receive Jesus as my Savior. Amen!"

Further reading:
Spiritual Information You Must Know to be Saved
Biblical Information You Must Know to be Saved
Christian Dogma You Must Believe to be Saved
Baptism; the Steps to Convert to the Traditional Faith; the Steps for Those Leaving False Sects; and Conditional Baptism

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