Githa Jayanti, A Glance at the 18 Chapters

A surgeon needs to stay focused on their task, even if the patient suffers initially.  If the doctor gets emotional and gets ready to quit after the pre-surgery process has begun, he needs guidance from someone knowledgeable to correct his state of mind to be put him into proper direction and action.

The 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita are divided into 3 sections. The first section containing chapters 1 to 6 is named Atma Shaktam, that which describes the qualities of a soul and the body. The second section containing chapters 7 to 12 is named Bhakthi Shatkam, describing the greatness of devotion to God. The third section containing chapters from 13 to 18 is named Purva Sesham, that which clarifies and concludes the message from earlier, or Purva Paramarsa Shatkam, consolidating the two earlier sections.

۞ Atma shatkamu ۞

1. Arjuna Visha:da yo:gaha

Lord Sri Krishna stirs a curiosity in Arjuna so that He can open the floor to the complete guide to eternal wisdom.

2. Sa:nkhya yo:gaha

Sri Krishna talks about the difference between soul (oneself) and one’s body, the relation between the two and the reason for their union. He explains how one can elevate oneself from current state to a higher state with the help of proper knowledge. He gives the best solution to keeping oneself steady and focused, the state of sthitha prajnatha. He conveys how one should perform their duty submitting it to Him and thus remain detached from the results of all their duties. This chapter conveys the essence of the Githa. The remaining chapters only elaborate the essence of this chapter.

3. Karma yo:gaha

Sri Krishna mentions how a human birth is given to one only to perform one’s duty as a yajna, as a way of worshipping God through assigned duties. 

4. Jna:na yo:gaha

Sri Krishna elaborates how to convert every activity, (including taking a breath or working a job) into a yajna, worship.

5. Karmasanya:sa: yo:gaha

Sri Krishna explains that one must leave the result of all activities to Him. Arjuna wonders how is that fair when he is the one putting in all the effort.

6. A:thmasamyama yo:gaha

Sri Krishna then answers Arjuna stating that it is the manas that makes one assume that he/she is the only reason for all that’s happening to or with him/her. He elaborates about how to keep the manas in control so that it becomes a viable tool to realise eternal truths.

۞ Bhakthi Shatkam ۞

7. Jna:na vijna:na yo:gaha

Sri Krishna now reveals that there are many people who focus on duty and do it well with appropriate knowledge. But the ones who experience all the sreyas, (complete well-being) are those who know Him, who understand Him, and perform duties with Him as the focus of the mind.

8. Akshara para bramha yo:gaha

Sri Krishna speaks about His supremacy. He adds that attaining His abode is superior to anything else, including one who attained atma saksha:thka:ram, self-realisation. 

9. Ra:ja vidya: ra:ja guhya yo:gaha

Sri Krishna declares that bhakthi, devotion towards God is practical to attain. He speaks greatly about those who are devoted to God clarifying that devotion alone is the king of all knowledge and that it is the king of all great secrets.

10. Vibhu:thi visthara yo:gaha

Sri Krishna talks about how a devotee looks at the entire world as His all-pervasive form. Arjuna expresses curiosity of the all-pervasive, all-powerful form.

11. Viswaru:pa sandarsana yo:gaha

Sri Krishna grants Arjuna the ability (an n-dimensional perspective) to see God. Arjuna is amazed at Lord’s viswa rupam, the magnificent omniverse form where He was seen controlling everything including dissolving all beings and giving them new bodies.

12. Bhakthi yo:gaha

Sri Krishna understands that Arjuna now believes Him to be the supreme and that He would now listen with attention. He reiterates how devotion towards Him is the way to attain Him. He explains the ease of His accessibility. He adds that devotion towards Him is as natural and easy as loving one’s own mother.

۞ Purva Paramarsa Shatkamu or Purva Sesham ۞

13. Kshe:thra kshe:thrajna vibha:ga yo:gaha

Sri Krishna begins to recapitulate by stating the foundation of knowledge on body (kshetra – a field) and the soul (kshetrajna – the appointed farmer).

14. Guna thraya vibha:ga yo:gaha

Sri Krishna explains the reason for one’s bond with one’s body. He speaks about how to take control of the body that is made of sattva (accommodating), rajas (egoistic), thamas (lazy/passive) qualities.

15. Purusho:ththama pra:prthi yo:gaha

Sri Krishna then elaborates the ultimate purpose of knowing everything is to attain Him, the purushotthama, the supreme eternal reality. There is only one of such supreme being, God Himself. Others are either ones who have attained Him (utthara purusha) or ones who desire to attain Him (utth purusha), while the rest simply exists (uttha purusha).

16. Daiva:sura sampad vibha:ga yo:gaha

Sri Krishna talks about how one must work on enhancing dyvi pravrutthi, good/divine nature that can help attain Him.

17. Sraddha: thraya vibha:ga yo:gaha 

Sri Krishna explains how sa:ttvika sraddha (a genuine interest) is essential to enhancing the dyvi pravrutthi, the divine qualities and nature. The other two types of sraddha are the tha:masika sraddha which develops a demonic nature and ra:jasika sraddha that develops a combination of divine and demonic nature.

18. Mo:ksha sanya:sa yo:gaha

Sri Krishna reveals the essence of the entire scripture in the 66th verse of this chapter, called Charama Sloka. He reveals the most essential truth that: everything including moksha, the liberation from karma and attainment of bliss, can be attained ONLY when one leaves the burden of the result to God Himself. 

sarva dharma:n parithyajya
ma:m e:kam saranam vraja |
aham thva: sarva pa:pe:bhyo:
mo:kshayishya:mi ma: suchaha ||

Lead life as a service to God who revealed all these truths and experience your full potential and true freedom.

– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Githa Jayanthi, 25 ^th Dec 2020
– Vijaya Kiladri, Vijayawada