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Bhagavad
Gita for Schools
Page
6
Conclusion
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The Bhagavad
Gita is a book of Pluralism |
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Bhagavad Gita
is synthesis of many ways to think of God & many ways to reach God |
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The early Upanishadic philosophies
taught that the underlying reality of the universe to be ‘Brahman’ and of the
essential nature of the individual as Atman (Self) . The Bhagavad Gita synthesises these
ideas and incorporates the idea of a personalised God with form and
attributes. The Gita synthesises many different
approaches in spirituality. The attribute-less Brahman modifies itself and
takes on attributes to become a personalised God. The popularity of the Bhagavad Gita is based on the
fact that it advocates comprehensive pluralism. Pluralism means: Utimate reality can be thought of and approach in a
variety of different ways. God can be
thought of as a principle that underpins everything including all living
things. God can be reached through knowledge, action, devotion or meditation.
As we are all highly individualistic the method we adopt for making spiritual
progress will reflect our individual preferences. This essential freedom we all have in
making spiritual progress should not be sacrificed, teaches the Bhagavad Gita |
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Renunciation |
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Renunciation is the key requirement for making
spiritual progress
teaches the Bhagavad Gita. It advises us to work, but to act in a selfless
manner. It advises us to give up minor
things in life so that we can achieve the greatest reward for mankind, God.
We have to be vigilant and continue to see ourselves as the witness to
everything and not get caught up with what is being witnessed. Renunciation
does not mean running away from one’s duties, but carrying out one’s duties
in a spirit of detachment. |
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Vishvarupa ~ God in everything |
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Brahman ~ The spirit
manifesting as everything |
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Sri Krishna shows himself to Arjun
in his cosmic form, Vishvarupa, which depicts the idea
that God can be thought of and approached through many different forms. It
can also interpreted to mean that it is same Brahman or the spirit that manifests as
everything and as everyone. Seeing God in everything and everyone is
considered to be the most comprehensive God-experience in Hinduism. |
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Devotion to God as a personality |
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The Gita teaches that the
essential nature of man is the spirit, Atman. Mankind is the clearest manifestation
of God on earth. At the same time, the Gita also
makes it clear that for most of us, the way to progress spiritually may be
through worship and adoration of a personal God. Sri Krishna says that this
is the easiest pathway to follow, as the tool we are using for making
spiritual progress love of God is both the path and the
destination, God. |
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