Shabda : शब्द

The Bhagavad Gītā (Sanskrit: भगवद्गीता, Song of God), also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse scripture that is part of the ancient epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that comprise the more general Vedic tradition. It is a very comprehensive compendium of the whole Vedic tradition, and an introduction to the text states that the book is considered among the most important texts in the history of literature and philosophy.

The teacher of the Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna, who is revered as a manifestation of God (Parabrahman) Himself, and is referred to within as Bhagavan, the Divine One.

The context of the Gita is a conversation between Lord Krishna and the Pandava prince Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War. Responding to Arjuna’s confusion and moral dilemma about fighting his own cousins who command a tyranny imposed on a captured State, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince, and elaborates on different Yogic and Vedantic philosophies, with examples and analogies. This has led to the Gita often being described as a concise guide to Vedic theology and also as a practical, self-contained guide to life. During the discourse, Lord Krishna reveals His identity as the Supreme Being Himself (Svayam Bhagavan), blessing Arjuna with an awe-inspiring vision of His divine universal form.

The direct audience to Lord Krishna’s discourse of the Bhagavad Gita included Arjuna (addressee), Sanjaya (using Divya Drishti (or divine vision) gifted by the sage Veda Vyasa to watch the war and narrate the events to Dhritarashtra), Lord Hanuman (perched atop Arjuna’s chariot) and Barbarika, son of Ghatotkacha, who also witnessed the complete 18 days of action at Kurukshetra.

The Bhagavad Gita is also called Gītopaniṣad, implying its having the status of an Upanishad, i.e. a Vedantic scripture. Since the Gita is drawn from the Mahabharata, it is classified as a Smṛiti text.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is uniquely qualified to present this English translation and commentary on Bhagavad-gita. He is the world’s foremost Vedic scholar and teacher, and he is also the current representative of an unbroken chain of fully self-realized spiritual masters begining with Lord Krishna Himself. Thus, unlike other editions of the Gita, this one is presented as it is–without the slightest taint of adulteration or personal motivation. This edition is certain to stimulate and enlighten with its ancient yet thoroughly timely message.

Bhagavad Gita (as it is) by Jay Gee (audiobook)

This audiobook perfomed by composer and singer Jay Gee and was released on the 4 cd-set.

At the beginning of this present age of Kali, some 50 centuries ago, Lord Krishna spoke BHAGAVAD-GITA to His friend and devotee Arjuna. Their discourse – one of the greatest philosophical and religious dialogues known to man – took place just before the onset of a war, a great fratricidal conflict between the hundred sons of Dhrtarastra and on the opposing side their cousins the Pandavas, or sons of Pandu.

Dhrtarastra and Pandu were brothers born in the Kuru dynasty, descending from King Bharata, a former ruler of the earth, from whom the name MAHABHARATA derives Because Dhrtarastra, the elder brother, was bom blind, the throne that otherwise would have been his was passed down to the younger brother Pandu.

When Pandu died at on early age, his five children – Yudhisthiro, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva – came under the care of Dhrtarastra, who in effect became, for the time being, the king. Thus the sons of Dhrtarastra and those of Pandu grew up in the same royal household. Both were trained in the military arts by the expert Drona and counseled by the revered grandfather of the clan, Bhisma.

Yet the sons of Dhrtarastra, especially the eldest, Duryodhano. hated and envied the Pandavas. And the blind and evil-minded Dhrtarastra wanted his own sons, not those of Pandu, to inherit the kingdom.

Thus Duryodhana, with Dhrtarastra’s consent, plotted to kill the young sons of Pandu, and it was only by the careful protection of their uncle Vidura ond their cousin Lord Krishna that the Pandavas escaped the many attempts against their lives.

Now, Lord Krishna was not on ordinary man but the Supreme Godhead Himself, who had descended to earth and was playing the role of a prince in a contemporary dynasty In this role he was also the nephew of Pandu’s wife Kunti, or Prtha, the mother of the Pandavas So both as a relative and as the eternal upholder of knowledge Krishna favored the righteous sons of Pandu and protected them.

Ultimately, however, the clever Duryodhana challenged the Pandavas to a gambling match. In the course of that fateful tournament, Duryodhana and his brothers took possession of Draupadi, the chaste and devoted wife of the Pandavas, and insultingly tried to strip her naked before the entire assembly of princes and kings. Krishna’s divined intervention saved her, but the gambling, which was rigged, cheated the Pandavas of their kingdom and forced them into thirteen years of exile.

Upon returning from exile, the Pandavas rightfully requested their kingdom from Duryodhano, who bluntly refused to yield it. Duty bound as princes to serve in public administration, the five Pandavas reduced their request to a mere five villages, but Duryodhana arrogantly replied that he wouldn’t spore them enough land into which to drive a pin. Throughout all this, the Pandavas hod been consistently tolerant and forbearing. But now war seemed inevitable.

Nonetheless, as the princes of the world divided, some siding with the sons of Dhrtarastra, others with the Pandavas, Krishna himself took the role of the messenger for the sons of Pandu and went to the court of Dhrtarastra to plead for peace When His pleas were refused, war was now certain.

The Pandavas, men of the highest moral stature, recognized Krishna to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas the impious sons of Dhrtarastra did not Yet Krishna offered to enter the war according to the desire of the antagonists. As God, he would not personally fight, but whoever so desired might avail himself of Krishna’s army – and the other side could have Krishna Himself as on advisor and helper Duryodhana, the political genius, snatched at Krishna’s armed forces, while the Pandavas were equally eager to have Krishna Himself.

In this way Krishna became the charioteer of Arjuna, taking it upon Himself to drive the fabled bowman’s chariot. This brings us to the point at which Bhagavad-Gita begins with the two armies arrayed, ready for battle. In order to see who he hod to fight against Arjuna asked Krishna to drive the chariot between the two armies.

Listen CD 1

1. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD1 part 1
2. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD1 part 2
3. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD1 part 3
4. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD1 part 4
5. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD1 part 5
6. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD1 part 6

Listen CD 2

1. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD2 part 1
2. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD2 part 2
3. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD2 part 3
4. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD2 part 4

Listen CD 3

1. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD3 part 1
2. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD3 part 2
3. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD3 part 3
4. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD3 part 4
5. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD3 part 5

Listen CD 4

1. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD4 part 1
2. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD4 part 2
3. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD4 part 3
4. Listen – Bhagavad Geeta. CD4 part 4

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