Sunday, May 1, 2016
PDP 6-Bhagavad Gita
Author Bio: There is no author of this document although this epic was ascribed to the Sage Ved Vyasa. The Bhagavad Gira, being a portion of the Mahabharata's Bhisma Parva, is also ascribed to him.
Date/Context: This famous work was put into writing around 200 B.C.E. Before that, it was proclaimed orally for many centuries. This was typically the case for many epics during this time period. The Gita is written in Sanskrit and has been translated into virtually every language. It was dated close to when recorded history began in India, and when the battle that became the Mahabarata supposedly occurred.
Summary: The Bhagavad-Gita is a notorious work of the Hindu tradition. This epic is a a portion of a bigger epic called Mababbarata. To sum it up, this story is about two branches who are apart of one family, and are in constant conflict over competence. Through this conflict, Hindu Gods are intertwined to help break up this conflict. Arjuna is caught in the middle of this conflict and searches for help in this constant war with his own fleshly desires. This passage offers a deep insight into Hindu beliefs regarding the soul and reflects India's caste system. He expresses his dilemma of how he doesn't understand why he has to shed his family's blood for a kingdom that he doesn't even want. From his perspective, killing his family outweighs any other sin. He puts down his weapons and tells Krishna that he refuses to fight, Krishna explains that he has to fight so he can restore his karma. Krishna begins by explaining the samsaric cycle of birth and death, This cycle allows one to work off their karma, and if one serves God, this leads to a dissolution of the soul, eventually achieving enlightenment. Three elements are presented throughout the God's advice. Krinsha says that one who achieves divine union with him in meditation will in the end, find freedom.
Key quotation: Have thy mind on Me, thy devotion toward Me, thy sacrifice to Me, do homage to Me. Thus guiding thyself, given over to Me, so to Me shalt thou come."
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The Date/Context provides a well rounded summary of the topic. The comparison to other epics during the same time period certainly helped me understand it a bit more. Although there was no author listed, I think it would have been helpful to search for and possibly include the person(s) who collected the exerpt. Another positive point summary of Mababbarata. I did not have any idea what this was, but your summary provided me with enough information to understand what it is and how it fits in with the rest of the summary. It would have been more beneficial if you would have included a brief explanation of caste in your summary, a small mind refresher never hurt anyone. Also, your key quotation reflects Hinduism in a very appropriate manner, saying that devotion will lead to enlightenment. One final critical point is Arjuna and Krishna. I do not exactly know who either of them are, if they are Hindu gods or not. It would have helped you more if the two were explained better.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this is not a holy text, this work is very important in Hindu tradition.
ReplyDelete