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Book Review
Import of the Gita
C. L. RAMAKRISHNAN
ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS IN BHAGAVAD GITA — Volume 2 based on Chapters 3 and 4: Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha; pub.by Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Venginissery, P.O. Paralam, Thrissur. Rs. 150.
This publication comprising 12 articles on the principal tenets of the Bhagavad Gita is a new and refreshing approach from the beaten track, where we normally find the original text, its transliteration, word meaning, translation and notes. This volume concentrates on the third and the fourth chapters, namely Karma yoga and Jnana karma sanyasa yoga. Plainly translated, these technical terms would mean the Yoga of action and the Yoga of renunciation of action in knowledge. The first one has two important elements: doing the duties that fall on one’s lot as offering to the Lord and then leaving it at that by not hankering after the results. The fourth chapter deals with the supremacy of knowledge, where renunciation of action ends in knowledge.
Concepts
This volume has discussions on actionlessness amidst intense activity, the concept of Yajna, Asakti through knowledge or surrender, the origin, decline and re-institution of Brahmavidya, the four Varnas and their implication, realisation of actionlessness, and knowledge, the supreme purifier. A lot of logical and weighty interpretations have been given by the author while dealing with these principles by discussing the pros and cons, and also discounting baseless criticisms levelled against them. Particular mention may be made of the discussions under the heading “The four Varnas”. He has clarified the distinction between Varna and caste. Interestingly, he refers to those who quote commentators like Sankara and abuse the ideas contained in those commentaries. The text “Caturvarnyam” refers to the fourfold categorisation given the name “arrangement”. This applies to all sentient beings and not only to human beings. But, among human beings, it is more pronounced. This categorisation is again based on the inherent quality (Guna) and also the occupation (Karma) one is in. The Gunas are inextricably interwoven with the inner personality of an individual, which cannot be determined by external observation. However, they come to the fore when the individual engages in activity. Gunas, therefore, are intrinsic features, and Karma their projection — the covert and the overt.
Practical
Though this volume confines itself to selecting important topics in two chapters of the Gita, the discussions cover a wide canvas and with cross reference to other chapters of the text and give a harmonious construction to the verses in these chapters, which is a welcome feature. This is an excellent book with a lot of examples drawn from life situations to clarify things to make the ideas practical. There is a brilliant exposition of Brahmavidya – the essence of the Bhagavad Gita, as outlined in the introduction to his commentary by Sankara. The identity of Lord Krishna and the questions raised by Arjuna are all well explained, which ring a bell in the reader’s mind, regarding chapters 10 and 11 of the text, where the opulence of the Almighty and the cosmic form of the Lord stand expatiated. In short, this is an extremely useful publication for one to understand the import of the Bhagavad Gita.
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