Bhagavad Gita

Like all religious literature the Geeta also gives almost similar (or should I say the same) good message. However, some points are matters of controversy, such as 'reincarnation'. No one can claim to prove it.

Secondly, too much over-emphasis on 'renunciation' towards the diety or Krishna or by whatever name you call the Supreme being doesn't seem to going in the making of a 'complete person' and may be harmful for general public if they all opted for that. Material world is made for the use and benefit of men and senses are given them to enjoy those. There ought to be balance in matters of divine and worldly duties or works. It is only then a person becomes a true man!

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Originally Posted by mazHur

Like all religious literature the Geeta also gives almost similar (or should I say the same) good message. However, some points are matters of controversy, such as 'reincarnation'. No one can claim to prove it.

Secondly, too much over-emphasis on 'renunciation' towards the diety or Krishna or by whatever name you call the Supreme being doesn't seem to going in the making of a 'complete person' and may be harmful for general public if they all opted for that. Material world is made for the use and benefit of men and senses are given them to enjoy those. There ought to be balance in matters of divine and worldly duties or works. It is only then a person becomes a true man!

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I don't know what I can say to you. It is not about renuncation but about devotion. The highest state is love of God. But it is a very long path. If you are interested in the Bhagavad-Gita, you should buy a copy since it's probably better to read in hard-back than on the internet.

If you are not interested in Bhagavad-Gita then please do not post here. Please do not post here if you wish to say that devotion to God will not make someone whole.

I do not mean what you think.
I do believe in 'devotion' and already said the Geeta teaches no less than other holy books. I am sorry if you are offended by my inquisitiveness and observations....but please note I am from ex-India ---where Geeta was once the rule! I have read it as well as comparative religions (hard copies),,,,just to apprise you,,,,about 20 years back!!

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Originally Posted by mazHur

I do not mean what you think.
I do believe in 'devotion' and already said the Geeta teaches no less than other holy books. I am sorry if you are offended by my inquisitiveness and observations....but please note I am from ex-India ---where Geeta was once the rule! I have read it as well as comparative religions (hard copies),,,,just to apprise you,,,,about 20 years back!!

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MaZHur, if you read the book with no pre-thinking you will find it as an ocean of knowledge.

No doubt about Geeta being a great book.

I purchased the Graham M. Schwieg translation last year when I worked at the Deparment of Education. There was a small store ran by an Indian man. I spoke to his daughter quite often and when I started to learn Sanskrit, I didn't get very far, I would ask her to evaluate my pronounciation. She began to lend me the small books by His Divine Grace, out of respect for the thread, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. She suggested I read the Gita and it has been on my shelf since I purchased it, but I will begin it in February, so expect many questions. :)

This is from my translation:

Dhritarashtra said:

On the field of dharma,
on the field of Kuru,
assembled together
desiring to fight,
Were my armies
and indeed those of the sons of Pandu-
how did they act, O Sanjaya?

A Harvard graduate... :)

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Graham M. Schweig is an author, scholar, and yogi who teaches about the universal language of the heart. Graham claims that the most painful form of impoverishment in this world is hunger of the heart, found everywhere in both afluent and poor societies. Every religious and spiritual tradition, if probed deeply, Graham believes, reveals secrets of divine love that can offer the world nourishishment for the heart. Graham has devoted his personal and professional life to sharing with others his discoveries of these divine gifts for humanity.

Dr. Graham M. Schweig, who received his doctorate degree from Harvard University, is a scholar of Comparative Religion whose specialization is the philosophy of yoga and the spiritual traditions of India. He is a specialist in love mysticism, concentrating on religions of the heart, especially the Bhakti Yoga traditions of India. Graham's ultimate interest is to find religious truths from within Indic traditions that contribute powerful symbols that speak beyond their religious boundaries, moving religion toward world peace. 
He is a long-time practitioner of meditational and devotional yoga under the guidance of traditional teachers since 1967.

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http://www.grahamschweig.com/

What of The Mahabharata?

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Originally Posted by NikolaiI

Please do not post here if you wish to say that devotion to God will not make someone whole.

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Take it easy, Nikolai. This forum's supposed to allow for a diversity of opinion.

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Originally Posted by blp

Take it easy, Nikolai. This forum's supposed to allow for a diversity of opinion.

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Yes exactly, Nikolai you must take it easy and do not get upset. We do not know we are right or wrong when it comes to questioning some of the really important issues. Let us be liberal, open and respect others' views.

I think I am not offensive.

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Originally Posted by blazeofglory

I think I am not offensive.

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I agree. Thank you.

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Originally Posted by NickAdams

What of The Mahabharata?

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Mahabharat, is an epic poem, of about 74000 verses, in Sanskrit. It is a story of the Kauravas and Pandavas. The Bhagvad Geeta (Song of the God) is a part of Mahabharat, and is a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjun, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. These two ar every important, ancient Hindu scriptures.

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Originally Posted by mazHur

I do not mean what you think.
I do believe in 'devotion' and already said the Geeta teaches no less than other holy books. I am sorry if you are offended by my inquisitiveness and observations....but please note I am from ex-India ---where Geeta was once the rule! I have read it as well as comparative religions (hard copies),,,,just to apprise you,,,,about 20 years back!!

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I was not offended, or if I was it was because of something else... anyway I do apologize as well.. all is forgiven.

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Originally Posted by Madhuri

Mahabharat, is an epic poem, of about 74000 verses, in Sanskrit. It is a story of the Kauravas and Pandavas. The Bhagvad Geeta (Song of the God) is a part of Mahabharat, and is a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjun, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. These two ar every important, ancient Hindu scriptures.

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Thanks, but I wanted to know of its importance to the Hindu religion. I've been having a hard time trying to find an unabridged English translation.

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Originally Posted by NickAdams

Thanks, but I wanted to know of its importance to the Hindu religion. I've been having a hard time trying to find an unabridged English translation.

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There is a translation, I think which is unabridged, at the temple here in Kansas City. I do mean to read the whole Mahabharat, though I haven't yet; but I was reading the first couple of chapters and it seemed like a good translation. The next time I'm there I'll find the author's name, because I couldn't remember it off-hand. The book had the whole Mahabharat in one volume, I think, told in narration.