Gīta Tātparya Introduction
समस्तगुणसम्पूर्णं सर्वदोषविवर्जितम्। नारायणं नमस्कृत्य गीतातात्पर्यमुच्यते॥
"Having saluted Lord Narayana, who is complete with all auspicious qualities and devoid of all faults, the essence of the Gita is explained."
"शास्त्रेषु भारतं सारं तत्र नामसहस्रकम्। वैष्णवं कृष्णगीता च तज्ज्ञानान्मुच्यतेञ्जसा॥"
“Among all the scriptures, the Bhārata is the very essence. Within it are the Sahasranāma of Viṣṇu and the Gītā of Kṛṣṇa; by the knowledge of these, one is directly and effortlessly liberated.”
"न भारतसमं शास्त्रं कुत एवानयोः समम्। भारतं सर्ववेदाश्च तुलामारोपिताः पुरा॥
“There is no scripture equal to the Bhārata—how much less could anything be equal to these two. Long ago, the Bhārata and all the Vedas were placed upon a balance.
देवैर्ब्रह्मादिभिः सर्वैर्ऋषिभिश्च समन्वितैः। व्यासस्यैवाज्ञया तत्र त्वत्यरिच्यत भारतम्। महत्त्वाद् भारवत्त्वाच्च महाभारतमुच्यते॥ निरुक्तमस्य यो वेद सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते।
There, by the command of Vyāsa, when all the gods beginning with Brahmā and all the ṛṣis assembled together, analyzed, the Bhārata outweighed even the Vedas. Because of its greatness and because of its weight, it is called the Mahābhārata (maha='significant', bharata='heavy'). He who knows this derivation is freed from all sins.
स्वयं नारायणो देवैर्ब्रह्मरुद्रेन्द्रपूर्वकैः॥ अर्थितो व्यासतां प्राप्य केवलं तत्त्वनिर्णयम्। चकार पञ्चमं वेदं महाभारतसञ्ज्ञितम्॥"
Lord Narayana himself, being entreated by the gods headed by Brahmā, Rudra, and Indra, took the form of Vyāsa and composed the fifth Veda, called the Mahābhārata, for the sole purpose of determining the truth."
इति ब्रह्माण्डे।
- stated thus in the Brahmanda Purana.
तत्र साक्षादिन्द्रावतारमुत्तमाधिकारिणमात्मनः प्रियतमर्जुनं क्षत्रियाणां विशेषतोपि परमधर्मं नारायणद्वितदनुबन्धिनिग्रहं बन्धुस्नेहादधर्मत्वेनाशङ्क्य ततो निवृत्तप्रायं स्वविहितवृत्त्या भक्त्या भगवदाराधनमेव परमो धर्मः, तद्विरुद्धः सर्वोप्यधर्मः, भगवदधीनत्वात् सर्वस्येति बोधयति भगवान् नारायणः।
Here (in the Bhagavad Gita), Narayana is teaching affectionate Arjuna, who is the direct incarnation of Lord Indra, a very capable individual to receive higher knowledge. When Arjuna vacillates from the prescribed duty of a warrior because of attachment towards his relatives, the teaching is imparted to destroy his bondage towards dear ones. The Lord Narayana teaches, "Performing one's own duty with devotion, as a worship to God, is the highest Dharma. Anything that is opposed to it is Adharma. Everything is under the control of God."
सर्वं चैतदत्रैवावगम्यते –
The above facts can be ascertained by following testimonials:
"अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं सङ्ग्रामं न करिष्यसि । ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि॥" (२-३३)
"But if you will not wage this righteous war, having disregarded your own duty (swa-dharma) and fame, you will incur sin." - B.G. 2-33
इत्यादिना युद्धस्य स्वधर्मत्वम्।
Such statements reiterate the importance of war as 'swadharma', one's own duty (for warrior Arjuna).
"यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम्। स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिदि्धं विन्दति मानवः॥"
"From whom is the origin of all beings, by whom all this is pervaded, worshipping Him through one's own duty (svakarmaṇā), a human being attains perfection." - B.G 18-46
"श्रेयान् स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात् स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥" (१८-४७)
"Better is one’s own duty (svadharmaḥ), even if imperfectly performed, than another’s duty well executed. Death in the performance of one’s own duty is preferable; another’s duty is fraught with fear." - B.G 18-47
"सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः श्रुणु मे परमं वचः । इष्टोसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्॥"
"Listen once more to my supreme words, the most confidential of all. Because you are dear to me, I will speak to you what is for your true good." - B.G 18-64
"मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु। मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोसि मे॥"
"Focus your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. You will certainly come to Me; I promise you this truly, for you are dear to Me." - B.G 18-65
"सर्वधर्मान् परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज। अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥" (१८-६६)
"Abandon all other duties and take refuge in Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins — do not grieve." - B.G 18-66
इत्यादिना स्वधर्मेणैव भगवदाराधनस्यैव कर्तव्यत्वं तदन्यस्य त्याज्यत्वं च।
Thus, by such teachings, it is established that worship of the Lord is to be performed through one’s own prescribed duty alone, and that whatever is other than this is to be abandoned.
"नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया। शक्य एवं विधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा॥" (११-५३)
"भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोर्जुन। ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप॥" (११-५४)
"Not by the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by charity, nor by sacrifice can I be seen in this form as you have seen Me. But by unwavering devotion (ananyayā-bhaktyā) alone, O Arjuna, can I be known in truth, seen as I am, and entered into, O subduer of foes." - B.G 11-53,54
इत्यादिना विष्णुभक्तेरेव सर्वसाधनोत्तमत्वं परोक्षापरोक्षज्ञानयोर्ज्ञानिनोपि मोक्षस्य तदधीनत्वं च।
Thus, it is taught that devotion to Lord Viṣṇu alone is the supreme means among all spiritual disciplines, and that even for the knower — whether possessing indirect or direct knowledge — liberation depends solely upon it.
"मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः। निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव॥" (११-५५)
"He who performs actions for My sake, who is devoted to Me as the supreme goal, who is My devotee, free from attachment and without hostility toward any being — such a person comes to Me, O son of Pāṇḍu." - B.G 11-55
इत्यादिना भक्तस्यापि तत्कर्म विकर्मत्यागश्च।
Thus, it is taught that even for the devotee, the abandonment of prohibited actions and actions contrary to one’s duty is required.
"कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात् त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम्।" (एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः। कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वैः पूर्वतरं कृतम् ॥४-१५॥)
"Therefore, perform your duty as it was done by the ancients". (With that knowledge of me, duty was performed even by ancients who sought liberation. Therefore, do actions performed by ancients and handed down from time immemorial. - B.G 4-15)
इत्यादिना ज्ञानिनोपि भगवत्कर्म।
Such statements show that even the enlightened (a jnanin) must continue to perform actions as a worship to the Lord.
"सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम। देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः॥" (११-५२)
"This form of Mine which you have seen is exceedingly difficult to behold; even the gods ever long for the vision of this form." - B.G 11-52
"इष्टोसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्।" (१८-६४)
"Because you are dear to me, I will tell you what is truly beneficial for you." - B.G 18-64
"दैवीसम्पद्विमोक्षाय निबन्धायासुरी मता। मा शुचः सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातोसि पाण्डव॥" (१६-५)
"The divine disposition is held to be for liberation, and the demonic for bondage. Do not grieve, O son of Pāṇḍu — you are born with the divine disposition." - B.G 16-5
"महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः। भजन्त्यनन्यमनसो ज्ञात्वा भूतादिमव्ययम्॥" (९-१३)
"But the great souls, O Pārtha, taking refuge in the divine Prakṛti, worship Me with undivided minds, having known Me as the imperishable origin of all beings." - B.G 9-13
"दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम्।" (११-९)
"He showed Arjuna his supreme divine form." - B.G 11-9
इत्यादिनार्जुनस्योत्तमाधिकारित्वमपरोक्षज्ञानित्वं च।
These statements show Arjuna's highest qualification for 'aparokṣajñāna', i.e. direct knowledge, and is capable of attaining the transcendental knowledge.
"न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः। अहमादिर्हि देवानां महर्षीणां च सर्वशः॥" (१०-२)
"Neither the hosts of gods nor the great sages know My origin, for I am indeed the source of the gods and the great sages in every way." - B.G 10-2.
"यो मामजमनादिं च वेत्ति लोकमहेश्वरम्। असम्मूढः स मर्त्येषु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥" (१०-३)
"He who knows Me as unborn, the cause of all, and the great Lord of the Universe - being undeluded, he is freed from all sins among mortals." - B.G 10-3.
"बुदि्धर्ज्ञानमसम्मोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः।" (बुद्धिर्ज्ञानमसम्मोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः। सुखं दुःखं भवोऽभावो भयं चाभयमेव च ॥ १०-४॥ अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः। भवन्ति भावा भूतानां मत्त एव पृथग्विधाः ॥ १०-५॥)
"Intellect; knowledge; freedom from delusion; forgiveness; truth; restraint of the sense organs; intellect's steadfast devotion to the Lord; Pleasure and pain; birth and existence; fear and indeed fearlessness. Non-violence; equanimity; contentment; austerity; charity; fame and infamy. These various kinds of dispositions of beings arise indeed from Me." - B.G 10-4,5.
"महर्षयः सप्त पूर्वे" ... । (१०-६) (महर्षयः सप्त पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा । मद्भावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमाः प्रजाः ॥ १०-६॥)
"The seven great sages and the four former Manus, who are My mind-born manifestations, from whom these creatures of the world have arisen." - B.G 10-6
"एतां विभूतिं योगं च" ... । (१०-७) (एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः। सोऽविकम्पेन योगेन युज्यते नात्र संशयः ॥ १०-७॥)
"This glory and yoga of mine" ... (10-7) ("He who knows the principle behind this great manifestations and yogic power of Mine, is engaged with rigor and unwaveringly in Yoga - there is no doubt about it." - B.G 10-7)
"अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते। इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां बुधा भावसमन्विताः॥"
"I am the origin of all; from Me everything proceeds. Knowing this, the wise worship Me, endowed with devotion." - B.G 10-8
"तेषामेवानुकम्पार्थमहमज्ञानजं तमः। नाशयाम्यात्मभावस्थो ज्ञानदीपेन भास्वता॥" १०-११॥
"Out of compassion for them, I, abiding in them, destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge." - B.G 10-11
"तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्।" (तेषामहं समुद्धर्ता मृत्युसंसारसागरात्। भवामि नचिरात्पार्थ मय्यावेशितचेतसाम् ॥१२-७॥)
“O Arjuna, I quickly rescue those whose minds are absorbed in me from worldly existence and the ocean of birth and death." - B.G 12-7
"भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्। सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति॥" (५-२९)
"Knowing me as the ultimate enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities, the supreme lord of all worlds, and the friend of all beings, one attains peace or liberation." - B.G 5-29
ज्ञानं तेहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः। यज्ज्ञात्वा नेह भूयोन्यज्ज्ञातव्यमवशिष्यते॥" (७-२)
"I shall declare to you this special knowledge concerning Me completely, knowing which there will be nothing further left to know in this world." - B.G 7-2
"अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा।" (एतद्योनीनि भूतानि सर्वाणीत्युपधारय। अहं कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभवः प्रलयस्तथा ॥ ७-६॥)
"Understand this entire Prakrti to be the womb of all creatures. But I am the cause of its origin and likewise its dissolution." - B.G 7-6
"मत्तः परतरं नान्यत् किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय॥ मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव।" (७-७)
"O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), there is nothing else whatsoever superior to Me. All this (creation) is strung in Me, like beads of gems on a thread." - B.G 7-7
"इदं तु ते गुह्यतमं प्रवक्ष्याम्यनसूयवे। ज्ञानं विज्ञानसहितं यज्ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसेऽशुभात् ॥"
"I shall now declare to you the most secret knowledge, along with its realization, knowing which you shall be freed from all inauspiciousness (bondage)" - B.G 9-1
"राजविद्या राजगुह्यम्" ... । (राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम्। प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम् ॥ ९-२॥)
"Royal knowledge, royal secret ..." ("This is the king of knowledge and the king of secrets, the most sacred and supreme. It enables one to perceive directly the Dharma, easy to practice, and imperishable.") - B.G 9-2
"मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना। मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि न चाहं तेष्ववस्थितः॥"
"This entire universe is pervaded by Me in My unmanifest form. All beings exist in Me, but I do not dwell in them." - B.G 9-4
"भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थः" ... । (न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् । भूतभृन्न च भूतस्थो ममात्मा भूतभावनः॥ ९-५॥)
"I am the supporter of all beings, yet not situated in beings." (And yet, beings do not exist in Me - behold My divine mystical power! Though I sustain all beings, My self does not dwell in them, for I am the source of all beings. - B.G 9-5)
"न त्वत्समोस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोन्यः" (पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान् । न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव ॥ ११-४३॥)
"There is none equal to you; how then could there be one greater than you?” (You are the father of the Universe, that is moving and unmoving; you are its venerable teacher and greatest. None is equal to you. Then how could there be anyone superior? Even in the three worlds, none matches your power. - B.G 11-43)
"परं भूयः प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम्।" (परं भूयः प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम् । यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनयः सर्वे परां सिद्धिमितो गताः ॥ १४-१॥)
"I will now explain the supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledges, by knowing which all sages have attained the highest perfection here." - B.G 14-1
"मम योनिर्महद् ब्रह्म तस्मिन्गर्भं दधाम्यहम्। सम्भवः सर्वभूतानां ततो भवति भारत॥" ( १४-३)
“My womb is the 'Great-Brahma' (mahat-brahma) i.e. Prakrti, and in it I place the seed of all creation. O Bhārata, from this union arises the birth of all beings.” - B.G 14-3
"ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च। शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च॥" ॥१४-२७॥
“I am indeed the ultimate foundation of the illusory energy of the Universe, of the immortals, of the imperishable, of the eternal, of the dharma, of the happiness, and also the ultimate liberated beings.” - B.G 14-27
"द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ लोके क्षरश्चाक्षर एव च। क्षरः सर्वाणि भूतानि कूटस्थोऽक्षर उच्यते॥" (१५-१६)
“In this world, there are two types of beings: Kṣara i.e. the changing and Akṣaraḥ i.e. the unchanging. All creatures are Kṣaras i.e. the changing, but the imperishable insentient, i.e. Prakrti, is called the Akṣaraḥ i.e. the unchanging.” - B.G 15-16
"उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युदाहृतः। यो लोकत्रयमाविश्य बिभर्त्यव्यय ईश्वरः॥" ( १५-१७)
“The highest person is said to be another, the Supreme Ātman, who, entering the three worlds, sustains, the Lord of the imperishable Prakrti.” - B.G 15-17
"यस्मात्क्षरमतीतोऽहमक्षरादपि चोत्तमः । अतोऽस्मि लोके वेदे च प्रथितः पुरुषोत्तमः॥" (१५-१८)
“I am known as the Supreme Person in the world and the Vedas because I transcend both the 'Kshara', subjected to change, and the 'Akshara', the unchanging.” - B.G 15-18
"यो मामेवमसम्मूढो जानाति पुरुषोत्तमम् । स सर्वविद्भजति मां सर्वभावेन भारत॥" ॥१५-१९॥
“O Bharata, the one who knows Me as the Supreme Person without any delusion worships Me with complete devotion.” - B.G 15-19
"इति गुह्यतमं शास्त्रमिदमुक्तं मयानघ । एतद्बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमान्स्यात्कृतकृत्यश्च भारत॥" ( १५-२०)
“O sinless one, I have imparted this most confidential teaching. By understanding this, one becomes wise and achieves all that is to be accomplished, O descendant of Bharata.” - B.G 15-20
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन। नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि॥" (३-२२)
“O Partha, surely there is nothing in the three worlds that I should do. There is nothing un-attained, nor to be attained by me. Yet I am ever engaged in action.” - B.G 3-22
इत्यादिना सर्वस्माद् भगवतो भेदः, सर्वस्य तदधीनत्वं, तस्यानन्याधीनत्वं, सर्वोत्तमत्वं, सर्वगुणपूर्णत्वं, सर्वशास्त्राणां तत्परत्वं, तथा तज्ज्ञानादेव मोक्ष इत्यादि।
From the above hymns of the Bhagavad Gita, we come to realise:
- The Bhagavan, the divine God, is different from everybody else
- Everything is under his control
- He is not under the control of anything
- He is superior to everything else
- All auspicious qualities are complete in him
- All scriptures are there to elucidate Him
- From His knowledge alone, one can get liberated.
"अधा ते विष्णो विदुषा चिदर्ध्यः स्तोमो यज्ञश्च राध्यो हविष्मता।" (ऋ.मं १, सू. १५६-१)
"Thus, to you, O Vishnu, the hymn and sacrifice performed with oblation are fitting, even by the knowing one." (Rig 1.156.1)
"पश्यन्नपीममात्मानं कुर्यात् कर्माविचारयन्। यदात्मनः सुनियतमानन्दोत्कर्षमाप्नुयात्।"
"Even seeing this very Ātmān, if one acts without considering, supreme well-regulated bliss of the Ātmān may be obtained."
"भक्त्या प्रसन्नः परमो दद्याज्ज्ञानमनाकुलम्। भक्तिं च भूयसीं ताभ्यां प्रसन्नो दर्शनं व्रजेत्। ततोपि भूयसीं भक्तिं दद्यात्ताभ्यां विमोचयेत्॥"
“The supreme being satisfied from devotion gives the undisturbed knowledge. When a devotee worships further with pure devotion, having been satisfied, He grants his direct vision (darshana). When a devotee exerts himself further with qualified pure devotion, he grants him Moksha, the liberation.”
"मुक्तोपि तद्वशो नित्यं भूयो भक्तिसमन्वितः। सान्द्रानन्दस्वरूपैव भक्तिर्नैवात्र साधनम्॥"
“The liberated are under the control of God and are always filled with qualified, pure devotion. The blissful devotion is their very nature and is no more a means to attain the goal.”
"ब्रह्मरुद्ररमादिभ्योप्युत्तमत्वं स्वतन्त्रताम्। सर्वस्य तदधीनत्वं सर्वसद्गुणपूर्णताम्। निर्दोषत्वं च विज्ञाय विष्णोस्तत्राखिलाधिकः॥"
"Lord Vishnu is recognized as superior, independent, and faultless, with all virtues complete, and everything subordinate to him, even more so than Brahma, Rudra, Lakshmi, and others."
"स्नेहो भक्तिरिति प्रोक्तः सर्वोपायोत्तमो मतः। तेनैव मोक्षो नान्येन दृष्ट्यादिः तत्र साधनम्॥"
"Affection, known as devotion (bhakti), is considered the best of all means. It is through this alone that liberation is attained, not through any other vision or method."
"अधमाधिकारिणो मर्त्या मुक्तावृष्यादिकाः समाः। अधिकार्युत्तमा देवाः प्राणस्तत्रोत्तमोत्तमः।"
"Those beings with death are of lower eligibility. The liberated seers are of medium eligibility. The 'devas' (gods) are of higher eligibility, and among them the Prāna, the presiding deity of breath, is of highest qualified."
"नैव देवपदं प्राप्ता ब्रह्मदर्शनवर्जिताः। तिरोहितं तथाप्येते शृण्वन्ति क्रीडयाथवा॥ बहुवारतदभ्यासात्तिरोभावोपि नो भवेत्। यथा व्यासानुशिष्टानां देवानां क्षत्रजन्मनाम्। पार्थानामतिरोधानं ज्ञानं सुस्थिरतां गतम्॥"
“Those who attain the status of gods (devas) will not be deprived of the direct vision of God. When their mind is distracted, they resort to ‘listening’ and other devotional activities. The Lord Brahma, who is devoid of such distractions and downfall, engages in devotional activities as a play. The gods (devas) were born in the warrior class as Pandavas on one such occasion of downfall. Instructed by sage Vyasa, they regained their stability of mind.”
"अस्य देवस्य मीळ्हुषो वया विष्णोरेषस्य प्रभृथे हविर्भिः। विदेहि रुद्रो रुद्रियं महित्वं यासिष्टं वर्तिरश्विना विरावत्॥" (ऋ. ७-४०-५)
“Rudra worshipped Lord Vishnu, the bestower of all wishes, the Lord of everything, with sacrifice and obtained the destroyer-ship. Oh Ashvins, similarly you got your power over food.” (Rig 7.40.5)
"एको नारायण आसीन्न ब्रह्मा न च शङ्करः। स मुनिर्भूत्वा समचिन्तयत्तत एते व्यजायन्त। विश्वो हिरण्यगर्भोग्निर्यमो वरुणरुद्रेन्द्रा इति॥"
"In the beginning, there was only Narayana, neither Brahma nor Shankara. He became a sage and contemplated, and from that thought, these were born: the universe, Hiranyagarbha, Agni, Yama, Varuna, Rudra, and Indra."
"एको नारायण आसीन्न ब्रह्मा नेशानः।"
"In the beginning, there was only Narayana, not Brahma or Ishana."
"वासुदेवो वा इदमग्र आसीन्न ब्रह्मा न च शङ्करः। यं यं कामयते विष्णुस्तं ब्रह्माणं च शङ्करम्। शक्रं सूर्यं यमं स्कन्दं कुर्यात् कर्तास्य न क्वचित्॥"
"Before everything, there was Vasudeva, not Brahma or Shankara. Whoever Vishnu desires, he makes them Brahma, Shankara, Indra, Sun, Yama, or Skanda."
"सर्वोत्कर्षे देवदेवस्य विष्णोर्महातात्पर्यं नैव चान्यत्र सत्यम्। अवान्तरं तत्परत्वं तदन्यत् सर्वागमानां पुरुषार्थस्ततोतः॥"
"Conveying the excellence and superiority in God of God's Lord Vishnu is the only higher purport. Finding the meaning of sacred texts in others can only be an intermediate purport. Aligning sacred texts meaning to Him (Lord Vishnu) only leads to the ultimate human good (purshartha, Moksha)."
इति पैङ्गिश्रुतिः।
- stated thus in the teaching of Paingi.
"परो मात्रया तन्वा वृधान न ते महित्वमन्वश्नुवन्ति।" (Rig. 7.99.1)
“You have grown your body beyond measure! No one can obtain such superior magnificence.” - Rig. 7.99.1
"अनन्तगुणमाहात्म्यो निर्दोषो भगवान् हरिः। न समो वाधिको वापि विद्यते तस्य कश्चन। नासीन्न च भविष्यो वा परतः स्वत एव च।"
"The Lord Hari, possessing infinite qualities and greatness, is flawless. No one is equal to or greater than Him. There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone beyond Him, as He is self-sufficient."
इत्यादिश्रुतेश्च।
- there are other such Vedic testimonials.
"यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्याद्" इत्यादि तु मुक्तविषयम्। (यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते॥ B.G 3.17)
The text 'yastvātmirēva' (B.G 3.17) is a subject related to those who are already liberated.
[One who rejoices in 'ātman' alone, is content with 'ātman' alone, and has his mind fixed in Atman alone, has no other duty to perform. -B.G 3.17]
"यस्त्वेवात्मरतो मुक्तः कार्यं तस्यैव नास्ति हि। तस्मात् कुर्वीत कर्माणीत्याह कृष्णोर्जुनं स्मयन्॥"
"But the one who truly rejoices in the ‘ātman’, being liberated, has no duty. Therefore, Krishna, smiling, said to Arjuna that he should perform actions."
इति च स्कान्दे।
- stated thus as well, in the Skanda Purana.
ज्ञानयोगेन साङ्ख्यानाम् इत्यादि तु बाह्यकर्मसङ्कोचापेक्षया।
In the hymn "jnānayogēna sankhyānām" (Gita 3.3) and others, they advised one to reduce the actions oriented towards external sensual pleasures only.
"न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्।" (३-५)
"Indeed, no one ever remains inactive even for a moment." - B.G 3.5
"शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः।" (३-८)
"Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without work." - B.G 3.8
"एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च। कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम्।" (१८-६)
“O Partha, but even these acts should be performed without attachment and desire for fruits, as a duty. This is my decided and highest view.” - B.G 18.6
ज्ञानी च कर्माणि सदोदितानि कुर्यादकामः सततं भवेत। न सर्वकर्मणां त्यागः कस्यचिद् भवति क्वचित्। त्यागिनो यतयोपि स्युः सङ्कोचाद् बाह्यकर्मणाम्।
Even the knowledgeable must continue to perform the prescribed duties with no desire. Abstaining from all action is never possible for anyone, anywhere. Even those who are renouncers and ascetics only restrict external actions.
"उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्वदर्शिनः।"
"The wise, who are seers of the truth, will impart knowledge to you." - Gita 4.34
इत्यादि चोत्पन्नज्ञानतिरोभावनिवृत्त्यर्थम्॥
Thus, it (i.e. Bhagavad Gita) is for the purpose of re-establishing the lost wisdom (of Arjuna).
Summary
(1) Madhvacharya, in his introduction to the work Gita-Tataparya, The Purport of Gita, upfront substantiates the authenticity of the author Vyasa and his work Mahabharata by providing ancient Vedic testimonials. The point of providing testimonials is to establish that we are not interpreting this ancient text in isolation, but are grounding it based on other texts that are close to its hermeneutical horizon.
(2) According to ancient tradition, at the request of the gods, Lord Narayana was born as Vyasa and composed the Mahabharata, which is also known as the fifth Veda. In terms of its purport, it is more valuable than all the other Vedas combined.
(3) Within the Mahabharata thousand names of Lord Vishnu, and song of Krishna, i.e. Bhagavad-Gita are of essence, whose knowledge is capable of liberating the individual.
(4) In Bhagavad Gita, Lord is teaching Arjuna, who is dear and also direct incarnation of Lord Indra, much capable individual worthy of receiving the higher transcendental knowledge.
(5) The essential message of Bhagavad Gita is - "Performing one's own duty, swadharma, with devotion, as a worship to God, is the highest Dharma. Anything that is opposed to it is Adharma. Everything is under the control of God."
(6) Devotion to Lord Viṣṇu alone is the supreme means among all spiritual disciplines, and even for the knower, the Jananin — whether possessing indirect or direct knowledge — liberation depends solely upon it.
(7) Even the enlightened, a Jnanin, must continue to perform actions as a worship to the Lord.
(8) Abstaining from all action is never possible for anyone anywhere. Even those who are renouncers and ascetics only restrict external actions. Wherever the Bhagavad-Gita speaks of abandonment of action, it is referring to prohibited actions.
(9) It also imparts the following knowledge regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead:
(a) The Bhagavan, the divine God, is different from everybody else. (b) Everything is under his control. (c) He is not under the control of anything. (d) He is superior to everything else. (e) All auspicious qualities are complete in him. (f) All scriptures are there to elucidate Him. (g) From His knowledge alone, one can get liberated.
