Bhagavad Gita for Busy People
The modern man in this present decade of the second half of the 20th century
is greatly in need of an effective guide to light. He is groping. He sees
only problems everywhere and no solutions are to be found anywhere. He
does not know which way to turn, what course to adopt and how to move towards
a better state of things. Therefore, his life is filled with restlessness,
unhappiness and complication. The Bhagavad Gita contains words of wisdom
and practical teachings that contain the answers to the above-mentioned
condition of the present-day individual.
The Bhagavad Gita is a message addressed to each and every human individual
to help him or her to solve the vexing problem of overcoming the present
and progressing towards a bright future. This holy scripture is not just
an “old scripture”, nor is it just a book of “religious teachings”, nor
even a Hindu holy book. It transcends the bounds of any particular religion
or race, and is actually divine wisdom addressed to mankind for all times,
in order to help human beings face and solve the ever-present problems
of birth and death, of pain, suffering, fear, bondage, love and hate. It
enables man to liberate himself from all limiting factors and reach a state
of perfect balance, inner stability and mental peace, complete freedom
from grief, fear and anxiety. Within its eighteen chapters is revealed
a human drama. This is the experience of everyone in this world, the drama
of the ascent of man from a state of utter dejection, sorrow and total
breakdown and hopelessness to a state of perfect understanding, clarity,
renewed strength and triumph.
Each discourse holds for you an invaluable new lesson and imparts a new
understanding of yourself in a marvellous way. The mystery of man, this
world and God, is explained as perhaps nowhere else. The workings of your
mind the real problem to your welfare and happiness how to overcome it,
what the path to blessedness is, as also the path to perdition, the secret
of self-mastery and the way to peace amidst your daily activities and duties all
these and more you will find in this great treasure. It is yours by which
to enrich your life.
To the Western reader I would suggest that he carefully reads through the
entire book once. Then he should commence it a second time. Upon the second
reading he should adopt the method of selectivity, not in reading but in
what he takes from it. Such things as seem to be particularly Hindu and
therefore, perhaps, not acceptable to him as a person of another faith,
he can just pass by without being perturbed. But everything else that is
of a purely philosophical, psychological, ethical and psychical nature,all
these he can grasp and assimilate fully. He will be wonderfully enriched
and supremely blessed. His life will become new from that moment. All clouds
will vanish. Light will fill the heart and mind. I assure him of this.
This is the Gita.
I commend this wonderful gift of God unto every man and woman, towards
his or her supreme blessedness and highest welfare.
Swami Chidananda
10th July, 1968 (Guru Purnima)
Download a copy of the Bhagavad Gita for Busy
People
Swami Sivananda of the Divine Life Society has provided this abridged edition of the Gita which contains its
quintessence for the use of students, doctors, advocates and busy
people..
