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Popularity of the Gita

CHENNAI : The Bhagavad Gita is an important scriptural authority for the three schools of Vedanta— Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita. Hence the commentaries on it are profuse. What is the reason for its importance and popularity? Sankara's choice of commenting on the three independent treatises — the Sanatsujatiya, Bhagavad Gita and the Vishnu Sahasranama — occurring in the Mahabharata perhaps can offer a clue. All the three works teach the nature of the Reality but they were taught to people of different calibre and tendencies (Guna).

Sage Sanatsujata taught the work, which has come to be known after him, to Dhritarashtra who never heeded the counsel of those who meant well. Such a person has a preponderance of Tamoguna. Lord Krishna expounded the Gita to Arjuna in whom Rajoguna was dominant, while Bhishma taught the Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishthira, who was Sattvic in nature. As the objective of composing new texts is dissemination of the truth to cater to different types of spiritual aspirants, it is of no avail if the seeker is not inclined to benefit from the teaching as in the case of the Tamoguna type. A work meant for a spiritual aspirant who is Sattvic, as in the case of Yudhishthira, also does not require constant elucidation as the person himself will be equipped enough to benefit from it; besides such seekers are in the minority. The majority of people were the middling, predominantly Rajoguna type, who could identify with Arjuna easily and hence the Bhagavad Gita's relevance and popularity, said Sri K.Srinivasan in his discourse.

The Lord's teaching began when Arjuna's surrendered to Him saying, "Tell me which is decidedly good. I am Your disciple. Pray instruct me who have put myself in Your hands." He concluded His teaching with the words, "This wisdom, more secret than secrecy itself has been imparted to you by Me. Fully pondering on it, do as you like." Why should teaching of the truth be kept a secret? Tradition avers that the knowledge of one's disease, wealth and spiritual initiation concern one's well-being and sharing them with others might result in exploitation by them. Another reason is due to the human nature of blowing one's trumpet when one is privy to something exclusive and thus ego will retard spiritual progress.

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