How to Motivate Yourself in depressed situations - Bhagwad Gita Perspective

 

This article deals with how you can Motivate Yourself in depressed situations of life.  When you get depressed in life then its very difficult and frustrating to cope with it. With proper guidance, you can come out of depression & eventually can come out of it. To come out of depression shall not be easy but you can motivate yourself through the methods shown below & can do it surely. 

In our day to day life, whether you are working for an organization or are doing your own business or are responsible for your household work, the most common thing many times is that you get depressed while doing your work. Depressed employees in any organization is a common sight. Dejected employees, depressed employees, unmotivated employees, desolate employees, morose looking employees are very harmful to any organization as they not only decrease the productivity but they also create an atmosphere in which other colleagues may also feel de-motivated & dejected. Similarly if you run your own business & remain depressed while doing your work, certainly you shall not achieve that much in your business if you would have been highly motivated & energetic.

Now, De-motivation, Depression, Dejection, Desolation all these D-words relates to your mind or relate to your mental position. It's only your MIND that gets depressed, dejected. You may be physically fit with blood oozing in your nerves, but if you are not well with your MIND then you are certainly not going to perform to your full potential. Mental health is where the key to success lies. If you are mentally supercharged then you can achieve any milestone in spite of having any physical inadequacy.

Now, how to get out of this Depression, De-motivation & how to increase the productivity at work is where the great teachings of "Bhagwat Gita" come into play. Now for those who do not know about "Bhagwat Gita".

"Bhagwat Gita" is an ancient religious book of the "Hindus" & in this book are great philosophies of Hinduism. These philosophies teach you all about, how you should do your duty, how you should lead your life etc. This "Bhagwat Gita" teachings were given by "Lord Sri Krishna", God Himself, to his disciple "Arjuna" on the battle field of Kurukshetra in Haryana state of India in ancient times. "Arjuna" was involved in a war against his enemies (some of them his own relatives too) but he refused to do his duty of fighting a righteous battle as he got infatuated & started thinking of his enemies as his own near & dear ones. He told his master "Lord Sri Krishna" that he is going away from the war & do not want to fight on the battle field. Arjuna's mental health became weak & he got deeply depressed. To overcome his disciple Arjuna's depression & to motivate him to fight a righteous war, "Lord Sri Krishna" gave the great teachings of "Bhagwat Gita" to his disciple "Arjuna". After listening to all these great teachings, Arjuna's mental health became well & he became motivated & energetic to fight the war.

Now many of us & many of our employees in our organization find themselves in the same state of mind, as that of "Arjuna". Their de-motivated, depressed state of mind can be changed to motivated & energetic one by these teachings of "Bhagwat Gita". Through these teachings, mental equilibrium of any depressed person can be overcome & he can come out of any crisis situation. The teachings of "Bhagwat Gita" can simply transform a person.

Now Bhagwat Gita teaches about "Mind Control". Mind is that makes the personality of a person. De-motivated mind makes a person depressed one & a motivated one makes a person cheerful. If one's mind is in one's control & he/she can concentrate deeply on one's work, then that person can do wonders at work. Mind is very powerful one & to control it, to keep it in one's control is very difficult. It just wanders like wind here & there & it takes enough of self discipline & practice of meditation to control it, to get it concentrated on any job or activity. As per "Arjuna" to "Lord Sri Krishna" in Chapter Six verse 34:

"chanchalam hi manah krishna
pramathi balavad drdham
tasyaham nigraham manye
vayor iva su-duskaram" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Six verse 34)

"Arjuna said: For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, to control it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind."

"sri-bhagavan uvacha
asamsayam maha-baho
mano durnigraham chalam
abhyasena tu kaunteya
vairagyena cha grhyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Six verse 35)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O mighty-armed Arjuna, it is undoubtedly that mind is very difficult to curb & is restless, but it is possible by suitable practices of meditation and by detachment."

"asamyatatmana yogo
dusprapa iti me matih
vasyatmana tu yatata
sakyo ’vaptum upayatah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Six verse 36)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: For one whose mind is unbridled, uncontrolled, self-realization is a difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion."

So in the Bhagwat Gita, "Lord Sri Krishna" first of all asks one to do his DUTY. If a person does his/her duty then half of the problems of that person are solved. Not doing one's duty is very harmful as it produces negative results only in one's life, like frustration, depression, de-motivation etc. If one does at least his/her duty, then such negative factors affect that person to a lesser degree or do not affect at all. As per "Lord Sri Krishna", doing one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily is better to have a better Mental Health.

"sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah
para-dharmat sv-anusthitat
sva-dharme nidhanam sreyah
para-dharmo bhayavahah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Three verse 35)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous."

Another teaching of "Bhagwat Gita" is to do one's work for the sake of work only without caring for the fruit arising out of that work. That simply means to get deeply involved in one's work or to just think single mindedly about performing the best in one's job without thinking about the results arising out of those actions performed while doing one's work or duty. Just concentrate on your work, that's it. Below verse of "Bhagwat Gita" explains this.

"karmany evadhikaras te
ma phalesu kadachana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango ’stv akarmani" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 47)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty."

Another below verse of "Bhagwat Gita" explains that one should do one's duty equi-poised or to have the equanimity of mind, without caring & renouncing all attachment to success or failure. If one does one's duty efficiently & with single minded devotion, without any fear of success or failure in his/her Endeavour, then certainly that person shall succeed in his/her work, as he/she is doing that work without any fear of success or failure. His/her mind shall be at peace & ease while doing such work without any fear of success or failure. Any person whose mind is at peace, certainly works effectively.

"yoga-sthah kuru karmani
sangam tyaktva dhananjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva
samatvam yoga ucyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 48)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: Perform your duty equi-poised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga."

So if a person is dedicated to his work & works for the sake of work only without any fear of success or failure, then that person is going to be certainly successful in his/her carrier. By doing meditation & other yoga techniques, one can control one's mind & a disciplined mind can be made to concentrate on one's job better, producing better results. So by following the teachings of "Bhagwat Gita" one is certainly going to excel in his/her job & in life.

Jai Shri Krishna

Quotes from Bhagwat Gita on Soul आत्मा पर भगवत गीता के उद्धरण (Quotes)

Here are some of the Quotes from Bhagwat Gita on Soul. Description of Soul is done beautifully by Lord Krishna in Chapter 2 of Bhagwat Gita. Here below read that illustration in detail.

नीचे भागवद गीता के कुछ आत्मा पर प्रसिद्ध उद्धरण (Quotes) हैं :

"na tv-evaham jatu nasam
na tvam neme janadhipah
na chaiva na bhavisyamah
sarve vayam atah param" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 12)

"Sri Krishna said: In fact, there was never  a time when I was not or did not exist, or you, or all these kings were not; nor it is a fact that in the future shall any of us cease to exist."

"dehino-asmin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvnam jara
tatha dehantar-praptir-
adhiras tatra na muhyati (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse13)

"Sri Krishna said: Just as boyhood, youth  & old age are attributed to the soul & the embodied soul continuously passes through these cycles, similarly the embodied soul passes into another body at death. The wise man does not get deluded & bewildered with such a change."

"maatra-sparshas-tu kaunteya

shitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah

agamapayino-anityas

tams titiksasva bharata" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, the contacts between the senses & their objects, which give rise to the feelings of heat & cold,  happiness and distress, etc. are transitory & fleeting in nature, therefore Arjuna, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed or ignore them."

"yam hi na vyathayanty ete

purusham purusharsabha

sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram

so ’mrtatvaya kalpate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 15)

"Sri Krishna said: Arjuna, the wise human being to whom pain & pleasure, happiness and distress are alike, and who is not tormented by these contacts i.e. remains steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation & immortality."

"na-asato vidyate bhavo

nabhavo vidyate satah

ubhayor api drsto ’ntas

tv anayos tattva-darshibhih" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse16)

"Sri Krishna said: The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be; the reality of both has thus been perceived by the seers of the truth."

"avinasi tu tad viddhi

yena sarvam idam tatam

vinasam avyayasyasya

na kascit kartum arhati" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 17)

"Sri Krishna said: Know that to be imperishable &  indestructible, by  which all this is pervaded; for none can bring about the destruction of this  indestructible substance, the imperishable soul."

"antavanta ime deha

nityasyoktah saririnah

anasino ’prameyasya

tasmad yudhyasva bharata" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse18)

"Sri Krishna said: All these bodies pertaining to the indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity / soul are spoken of as perishable; therefore, fight, Arjuna."

"ya enam vetti hantaram

yas chainam manyate hatam

ubhau tau na vijanito

nayam hanti na hanyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 19)

"Sri Krishna said: They are both ignorant, he who knows the soul to be capable of killing and he who takes it as killed; for verily the soul neither kills, nor is killed."

"na jayate mriyate va kadacin

nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah

ajo nityah sasvato ’yam purano

na hanyate hanyamane sarire" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twoverse 20)

"Sri Krishna said: The soul  is never born nor dies at any time. Soul has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. Soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. Soul is not slain when the body is slain."

"vedavinasinam nityam

ya enam ajam avyayam

katham sa purushah Arjuna

kam ghatayati hanti kam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twoverse 21)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, how can a human being who knows that the soul is indestructible, eternal, unborn and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?"

"vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya

navani grhnati naro ’parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany

anyani samyati navani dehi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse22)

"Sri Krishna said: As a human being puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones."

"nainam chindanti shastrani

nainam dahati pavakah

na chainam kledayanty apo

na sosayati marutah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 23)

"Sri Krishna said: The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind."

"acchedyo ’yam adahyo ’yam

akledyo ’sosya eva cha

nityah sarva-gatah sthanur

achalo ’yam sanatanah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 24)

"Sri Krishna said: This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same."

"avyakto ’yam acintyo ’yam

avikaryo ’yam ucyate

tasmad evam viditvainam

nanusocitum arhasi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 25)

"Sri Krishna said: It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body."

"atha chainam nitya-jatam

nityam va manyase mrtam

tathapi tvam maha-baho

nainam socitum arhasi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 26)

"Sri Krishna said: If, however, you think that the soul [or the symptoms of life] is always born and dies forever, you still have no reason to lament, O mighty-armed."

"jatasya hi dhruvo mrityur

dhruvam janma mrtasya cha

tasmad apariharye ’rthe

na tvam socitum arhasi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 27)

"Sri Krishna said: One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament."

"avyaktadini bhutani

vyakta-madhyani bharata

avyakta-nidhanany eva

tatra ka paridevana" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 28)

"Sri Krishna said: All created beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their interim state, and unmanifest again when annihilated. So what need is there for lamentation?"

"ascharya-vat pasyati kascid enam

ascharya-vad vadati tathaiva chanyah

ascharya-vac chainam anyah srnoti

srutvapy enam veda na chaiva kascit" (Bhagwat Gita: ChapterTwo verse 29)

"Sri Krishna said: Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all."

"dehi nityam avadhyo ’yam

dehe sarvasya bharata

tasmat sarvani bhutani

na tvam socitum arhasi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 30)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, he who dwells in the body can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any living being."

जय श्री कृष्णा 

Greatness of Chapter Eighteen of Bhagwat Gita

Here below is explained the Greatness of Chapter Eighteen of Bhagwat Gita. Read the story below to see, how all the sinful reactions are destroyed by just reading the Chapter 18 of the Bhagwat Gita.

"Lord Siva said; “My dear Parvati, Now, listen to the glories of the Eighteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita, which is higher than the Vedas and the giver of unlimited bliss. When it enters into one’s ears it destroys all material desires. For the pure devotee, it is divine nectar, it is Lord Vishnu’s very life and it is a solace to the hearts of Lord Indra and the demigods as well as the great yogis headed by Sanak and Sananda.

One who recites it, he sends the messengers of Yamaraja far away. There is no other recitation, which can so quickly destroy all the sins and free one from the threefold miseries of this world. Now listen with great devotion.

On the topmost peak of Mount Meru is Amaravati, which was built by Vishvakarma. In that heavenly kingdom, Lord Indra along with his wife Saci is served by the demigods. One day while Lord Indra was sitting peacefully, he saw that one very beautiful person had arrived there, whom the servants of Lord Vishnu were serving. When. Lord Indra saw that beautiful young person; he immediately fell from his throne unto the ground. At that time those demigod who had been worshipping Indra picked up the crown that he was wearing and placed it on the head of that new beautiful person. After that, all the demigods and other denizens of the heavenly planets started to perform artee and sing wonderful songs to that new King Indra. The great rishis came there and offered their blessings and chanted Vedic mantras and the Gandharvas and Apsaras started to sing and dance joyfully. In this way, the new Indra, who had not performed the usual one hundred horse sacrifices, started to enjoy hundreds of different types of services rendered by the demigods and other denizens of the heavenly planets. When the old Indra saw this he became very surprised.

He started to think to himself, “This person here has never built wells or dug kunds or planted trees for the welfare of others, and when there were droughts, he did not provide grains in charity. He never performed any fire-sacrifices or great charities in the holy places. So how has he managed to attain my seat?” The old Indra, feeling greatly disturbed in his mind, left to the ocean of milk to pray to Lord Vishnu. When he managed to obtain darshan of Lord Vishnu, he asked Him “My dear Lord Vishnu, in the past I performed many sacrifices and other pious activities, for which I was installed as the Lord of heaven. But at this time another person has come there and taken my place as the king of heaven. This person in his life never performed any great, wonderful pious activities, nor had he performed any great Vedic sacrifices. So, how is it possible that he has managed to obtain my throne?”

At that time Lord Vishnu said, “My dear Indra, That great soul has performed the recitation daily of the Eighteenth Chapter of the Srimad Bhagwat Gita. Everyday during his life, he recited five shlokas from this Chapter, and because of that activity he has attained the results of all sorts of pious activities and yajnas and after enjoying for many years as the king of heaven, he will attain to My personal abode. If you perform the same activity of reciting the Eighteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita, you can also attain My divine abode.”

After hearing Lord Vishnu’s words, Lord Indra took the form of a Brahmin and went to the bank of the Godavari River, where he saw the town of Kalegrani, which is very sacred. At that place, the Supreme Lord in His form known as Kalesva, resides. Close to this town, on the bank of the Godavari river, one very pure Brahmin was sitting, who was very merciful and had understood the topmost goal and secret of the Vedic literatures. Daily he would sit at that spot and recite shlokas of the Eighteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita. When Lord Indra saw him he became very happy. He immediately fell at his lotus-feet and requested him to teach him the Eighteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita. After Lord Indra had practiced the recitation, of the Eighteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita for sometime he managed to attain the topmost place of Vishnuloka. When he attained that place, he realized that the pleasure he had enjoyed as King Indra, along with the demigods, was nothing in comparison.

My dear Parvati, for this reason, the great sages, especially chant this Eighteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita and by so doing very quickly attain the lotus-feet of Lord Vishnu.

Anyone who hears or studies this Gita Mahatmya very quickly destroys all sins, which he has accumulated. And that person, who remembers this discourse with great faith attains the results of all kinds of pious activities and great sacrifices, and after enjoying all worldly opulences, attains the abode of Lord Vishnu.

So that is the greatness of chapter Eighteen of Bhagwat Gita.”

Chapter Eighteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Liberation through the Path of Knowledge and Self-Surrender."

On the battle field of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna, the disciple of Lord Krishna got infatuated & forgot his duty to fight, then Lord Krishna reminded Arjuna of his duty to fight a lawful, justful war & gave him the teachings of Bhagwat Gita. Arjuna after having been taught in the path of knowledge by Lord Krishna came back to his path of duty & fought a lawful battle against the Kauravas (his enemies) & won the battle with the grace of Lord Krishna.

Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen (18) is entitled "The Yoga of Liberation through the Path of Knowledge and Self-Surrender." This Chapter has a total of 78 verses.

Verses 1 to 12 discusses the subject of Tyaga or Relinquishment.

Verses 13 to 18 discusses the cause of Karma according to the Sankhya system.

Verses 19 to 40 are about the Classification of Knowledge, Action, Doer, Reason, Firmness and Joy according to the three Gunas.

Verses 41 to 48 describe about the Duties attaching to each Caste and the fruits of their performance.

Verses 49 to 55 describe about the path of Knowledge.

Verses 56 to 66 describe about the path of Karmayoga or Selfless Action, together with Devotion.

Verses 67 to 78 describe about the glory of Gita/Bhagwat Gita/Bhagwad Gita.

To read complete Chapter Eighteen (18) Verse by Verse in Original Sanskrit Language Text & its English Translation......Click here to read...........Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen (Chapter-18)

Below are some verses from Chapter Eighteen of Bhagwat Gita :

"karyam ity eva yat karma
niyatam kriyate ’rjuna
sangam tyaktva phalam chaiva
sa tyagah sattviko matah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 9)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, when one performs his prescribed duty only because it ought to be done, and renounces all material association and all attachment to the fruit, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness."

"sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah
para-dharmat sv-anusthitat
svabhava-niyatam karma
kurvan napnoti kilbisam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 47)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, It is better to engage in one’s own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another’s occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one’s nature are never affected by sinful reactions."

"saha-jam karma kaunteya
sa-dosam api na tyajet
sarvarambha hi dosena
dhumenagnir ivavrtah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 48)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work born of his nature, even if such work is full of fault."

"ishvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrd-dese ’rjuna tishthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 61)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The Supreme God is situated in everyone’s heart, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy."

"tam eva saranam gaccha
sarva-bhavena bharata
tat-prasadat param shantim
sthanam prapsyasi sasvatam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 62)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, surrender unto God fully. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode."

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

"yatra yogeshvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 78)

"Sanjaya said: Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."

Jai Shri Krishna

Greatness of Chapter Seventeen of Bhagwat Gita

Here below is explained the Greatness of Chapter Seventeen of Bhagwat Gita. Read the story below to see, how all the sinful reactions are destroyed by just reading the Chapter 17 of the Bhagwat Gita.

“Lord Siva said, “My dear Parvati, Now, kindly hear the nectarian glories of the Seventeenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita.

In Gujarat, there is a town of the name Sourastra (Surat). King Khadga-bahu had his kingdom there, where he lived just like another lndra, king of heaven. He kept a very passionate male elephant of the name Arimardana from whose temples liquid oozed due to his pride. One day that elephant, in a fit of anger, broke loose from his chains and started to destroy the elephant shed.

King Khadga-bahu’s son had a servant by the name of Dushasan who was very crafty and exceptionally foolish. Dushasan made a bet with the prince that he could ride the mad elephant. After saying so he jumped upon the mad elephant and after going a few steps, the people there started requesting him, not to ride that dangerous elephant. But foolish Dushasan started to prod that elephant and used strong words to urge him on. Suddenly, that elephant became very angry and started to run wildly here and there. Unable to hold on, Dushasan fell to the ground. The elephant stomped on him and Dushasan died. After that he attained the body of an elephant in Simbaldwip, where he stayed in the king’s palace.

The king of Simbaldwip was a close friend of King Khadga-bahu’s . One day the king of Simhaldwip decided to send that elephant as a present to his friend, King Khadga-bahu, who in turn presented that elephant to one poet, who pleased him with his beautiful poetry.

Thereafter, that poet sold that elephant for one hundred gold coins to the king of Malwa. After some time, that elephant contracted a terminal disease. When the elephant-keepers saw that the elephant had stopped eating and drinking, they reported the matter to the king. When the king found out, he went to the place of the elephant, along with the best of doctors. At that time, to the surprise of that king, the elephant started to speak, “My dear king you are very pious, and a strict follower of the Vedas. You always worship the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. So you should know, that at this time, these medicines and doctors will be of no use. Neither any kind of charity or sacrifice will help at the time of death. If you care for me and want to help me, then bring someone, who daily recites the Seventeenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita.”

As requested by that elephant, the king brought one great devotee, who regularly recited the Seventeenth Chapter of the Srimad Bhagwat Gita. That devotee, while chanting the Seventeenth Chapter, sprinkled water on the elephant at which time he gave up his elephant body and attained a four-armed form, similar to that of Lord Vishnu. He immediately sat down in a flower airplane, which had been sent to take him to Vaikuntha. While sitting in that airplane, the king inquired from him about his previous birth, and Dushasan, after telling him everything, left for Vaikuntha. After which, that best of men, the king of Malwa, started regularly reciting the Seventeenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita. After a short time he attained the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

So that is the greatness of chapter Seventeen of Bhagwat Gita.”

Chapter Seventeen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Classification of the Threefold Faith."

On the battle field of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna, the disciple of Lord Krishna got infatuated & forgot his duty to fight, then Lord Krishna reminded Arjuna of his duty to fight a lawful, justful war & gave him the teachings of Bhagwat Gita. Arjuna after having been taught in the path of knowledge by Lord Krishna came back to his path of duty & fought a lawful battle against the Kauravas (his enemies) & won the battle with the grace of Lord Krishna.

Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen (17) is entitled "The Yoga of Classification of the Threefold Faith." This Chapter has a total of 28 verses

Verses 1 to 6 are about the Discussion on Faith and on the Fate of men who perform austere penance not enjoined by the scripture.

Verses 7 to 22 are about the different kinds of foods, sacrifices, penances and charity which are described herein.

Verses 23 to 28 describe about the meaning and intention of uttering "Om Tat Sat".

To read complete Chapter Seventeen (17) Verse by Verse in Original Sanskrit Language Text & its English Translation......Click here to read...........Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen (Chapter-17)

Below are some verses from Chapter Seventeen of Bhagwat Gita :

"datavyam iti yad danam
diyate ’nupakarine
dese kale cha patre cha
tad danam sattvikam smrtam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 20)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness."

"om tat sat iti nirdeso
brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtah
brahmanas tena vedas cha
yajnas cha vihitah pura" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 23)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, From the beginning of creation, the three words "Om Tat Sat" were used to indicate the Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by Brahmins while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the God."

"tasmad om ity udahrtya
yajna-dana-tapah-kriyah
pravartante vidhanoktah
satatam brahma-vadinam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 24)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and penance in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with Om, to attain the God."

"tad ity anabhisandhaya
phalam yajna-tapah-kriyah
dana-kriyas cha vividhah
kriyante moksha-kanksibhih" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 25)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Without desiring fruit producing results, one should perform various kinds of sacrifice, penance and charity with the word Tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from material entanglement."

"sad-bhave sadhu-bhave cha
sad ity etat prayujyate
prasaste karmani tatha
sac-chabdah partha yujyate"

"yajne tapasi dane cha
sthitih sad iti cocyate
karma chaiva tad-arthiyam
sad ity evabhidhiyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 26-27)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The Absolute Truth is the objective of devotional sacrifice, and it is indicated by the word Sat. The performer of such sacrifice is also called Sat, as are all works of sacrifice, penance and charity which, true to the absolute nature, are performed to please the God."

"ashraddhaya hutam dattam
tapas taptam kritam cha yat
asad ity ucyate partha
na cha tat pretya no iha" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 28)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Anything done as sacrifice, charity or penance without faith in the God, is impermanent. It is called Asat and is useless both in this life and the next."

Jai Shri Krishna

Greatness of Chapter Sixteen of Bhagwat Gita

Here below is explained the Greatness of Chapter Sixteen of Bhagwat Gita. Read the story below to see, how all the sinful reactions are destroyed by just reading the Chapter 16 of the Bhagwat Gita.

“Lord Siva said, “My dear Parvati, I will now tell you the glories of the Sixteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita.

In Gujarat, there is a town of the name Sourastra (Surat). King Khadga-bahu had his kingdom there, where he lived just like another lndra, king of heaven. He kept a very passionate male elephant of the name Arimardana from whose temples liquid oozed due to his pride. One day that elephant, in a fit of anger, broke loose from his chains and started to destroy the elephant shed, after which he began running here and there, wildly chasing the citizens. Everyone fled as fast as possible. The elephant keepers immediately reported the news to the king and when the king heard, he went along with his son to the place, where the mad elephant was. King Khadga-bahu knew the art of controlling wild elephants. When the king reached the spot, where the elephant was running amok, he saw that many persons had been trampled and others were running here and there to avoid that elephant. Just then, as the king was watching that chaotic scene, he saw one Brahmin peacefully returning from taking his bath in the lake. That Brahmin was silently reciting the first three shlokas from the Sixteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita, which start with the word; abhayam (fearlessness). When the people saw that Brahmin walking towards the elephant, they tried to tell him not to go near him, but that Brahmin did not take any notice of them and walked straight up to that mad elephant and started to stroke him. When the elephant saw the Brahmin approaching, he immediately lost all anger and lay down peacefully.

After that Brahmin had patted the elephant for a few moments, he went peacefully on his way. When the king and all the citizens saw these amazing incidents, they were astonished. The king immediately went and fell at the feet of that Brahmin and inquired from him, “what austerities and worship have you performed to attain such peacefulness and amazing powers?” The Brahmin replied; “Daily I am reciting some shlokas from the sixteenth Chapter of the Srimad Bhagwat Gita.”

Lord Siva said; “That king requested the Brahmin to come to the palace, where he offered to him in charity, one hundred gold coins and requested that pious Brahmin to instruct him in the chanting of those verses from the Sixteenth Chapter of the Srimad Bhagwat Gita.

After King Khadga-bahu had been chanting those verses for some time, he one day along with his guards went to the place where that mad elephant was kept and ordered the elephant keepers to release him. At that, the citizens became upset with the king thinking that the elephant would begin to run amok again. The king went before that mad elephant, which immediately lay down and he started to stroke him. After that the king returned to his palace and installed his son on the throne and left for the forest, where he worshipped Lord Krishna by chanting those shlokas from the Sixteenth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwat Gita and very quickly he attained the lotus-feet of Lord Krishna.

Anyone who chants the Sixteenth Chapter of the Srimad Bhagwat Gita, however sinful he is, very quickly attains the same goal as King Khadga-bahu, the lotus-feet of Lord Krishna.

So that is the greatness of chapter Sixteen of Bhagwat Gita.”

Chapter Sixteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Discrimination between the Divine and the Demoniacal Properties."

On the battle field of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna, the disciple of Lord Krishna got infatuated & forgot his duty to fight, then Lord Krishna reminded Arjuna of his duty to fight a lawful, justful war & gave him the teachings of Bhagwat Gita. Arjuna after having been taught in the path of knowledge by Lord Krishna came back to his path of duty & fought a lawful battle against the Kauravas (his enemies) & won the battle with the grace of Lord Krishna.

Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen (16) is entitled "The Yoga of Discrimination between the Divine and the Demoniacal Properties." This Chapter has a total of 24 verses.

Verses 1 to 5 describe about the Divine and the demoniacal Properties with their fruits.

Verses 6 to 20 describe about the marks of men possessed of the demoniacal Properties and their damnation described.

Verses 21 to 24 are about the Instruction to renounce the conduct opposed to the scriptures and exhortation to follow the scriptures.

To read complete Chapter Sixteen (16) Verse by Verse in Original Sanskrit Language Text & its English Translation......Click here to read...........Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen (Chapter-16)

Below are some verses from Chapter Sixteen of Bhagwat Gita :

"sri-bhagavan uvacha :

abhayam sattva-samsuddhir
jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih
danam damas cha yajnas cha
svadhyayas tapa arjavam"

"ahimsa satyam akrodhas
tyagah shantir apaisunam
daya bhutesv aloluptvam
mardavam hrir achapalam"

"tejah ksama dhrtih shaucham
adroho nati-manita
bhavanti sampadam daivim
abhijatasya bharata" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen verse 1-2-3)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquility; aversion to fault-finding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor—these transcendental qualities, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature."

"idam adya maya labdham
imam prapsye manoratham
idam astidam api me
bhavisyati punar dhanam"

"asau maya hatah satrur
hanisye chaparan api
isvaro ’ham aham bhogi
siddho ’ham balavan sukhi"

"adhyo ’bhijanavan asmi
ko ’nyo ’sti sadrso maya
yaksye dasyami modisya
ity ajnana-vimohitah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen verse 13-14-15)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The demoniac person thinks: “So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him, and my other enemies will also be killed. I am the lord of everything. I am the enjoyer. I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.” In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance."

"tri-vidham narakasyedam
dvaram nasanam atmanah
kamah krodhas tatha lobhas
tasmad etat trayam tyajet" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen verse 21)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, There are three gates leading to this hell—lust, anger and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul."

"etair vimuktah kaunteya
tamo-dvarais tribhir narah
acharaty atmanah sreyas
tato yati param gatim" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen verse 22)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The man who has escaped these three gates of hell, performs acts conducive to self-realization and thus gradually attains the supreme destination."

Jai Shri Krishna