Uniqueness of the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a magnificent text. Like the Bible, Koran and the Upanishads, these texts belong to the world because they are meant to instruct the world and elevate it to the task of self understanding.

It is a text for all time. By that is meant that the principles contained in it can be contemporised in any age, time and historical setting.

The Gita summarises the wisdom of the entire gamut of spiritual traditions that find their origins in the East. It is a veritable treasure trove of spiritual wisdom designed to help the aspirant fulfil the essential objective of his or her life. The eighteen chapters communicate eighteen powerful insights to accomplish this inner transformation.
The battle lasted eighteen days. The Gita has eighteen chapters and seven hundred verses. Symbolically they denote the fact that there are eighteen steps to a good life. The Gita teaches us that it is only when we master our inner life that we are able to master the outer environment. It is only by living from the inside that are able to accomplish the twin tasks of being active and creative in our worldly engagement and develop inner tranquility.

 According to Swami Rama: “The wise man knows the distinction between the real Self and the mere self but he still does sadhana so that barriers are not created for either. Sadhana is for the inner level that creates delusion or mirage: it is not Atman or the external world that creates confusion but one's mental life. The internal and external are two inseparable aspects of one single life.”

 “Practice or sadhana should be modeled in such a way that it does lead the aspirant from one extreme to another. Some aspirants think that retiring from the world will help them attain the purpose of life. Others believe that doing actions and performing their duties in the world will fulfil the purpose of life. It is the moderate path, however, that creates a bridge between these two extremes and that is the most useful for the general public. If one is to live life happily, he needs to be aware that others are striving to attain happiness. Consideration for others is a primary requisite for finding happiness and building a good society.”

Composed of a unique dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, it consists of a series of questions troubling the mighty warrior and the Lord's response to His devotee.

To Arjuna's specific questions, the Lord provides an entire foundation and scaffolding that can guide the aspirant to harmonious living. The focus as Swami Rama explains, is not merely on the specific problem that is evoked but the entire being is treated.