Indian Philosophy is a vast and deep rooted manifestation of Vedic statements, of which the most ancient being the Rig Veda, followed by the Upanishadic teachings in the later Vedic age; that are extremely profound and deep rooted and subject to manifold Interpretations. Srimad Bhagavad Gita is an essence of all the Upanishads and thus carries the legacy of the divergent interpretations. "The Bhagavad Gîtâ deals with the basic facts of the gross material world and the subtle spiritual world; human society and the human mind. The Gîtâ is a mirror of the mind of the total, integral and universal man. It elevates man from the intellectual to the spiritual level and illumines his pathway to the Paramâtmâ. It elucidates the secret of total self-surrender. It is an aid to the integral and total transformation of man. It is an epitome of the spiritual verities revealed by Lord Krishna."

    "The Bhagavad Gîtâ expounds the secret of creation and the essence of divinity. It explains the theory and practice of all spiritual knowledge based on individual experience. We must try and understand its true significance and practical relevance to human destiny. The sun is the source of light on the earth. Without the sun, the entire

world will be plunged in darkness. Similarly, Lord Krishna is the source of intellectual illumination and spiritual enlightenment."

    To understand the meaning of the Gîtâ, the reverential approach is necessary.... The Gîtâ is a text for spiritual practitioners, for it emphasizes sâdhana, and spiritual attitudes, more than anything else. Every chapter lays down means and methods of reaching the goal of peace and harmony. Now sâdhana is the product of keen and steady yearning for progress. The aspirant must aspire, not despair. He must persevere, not clamor for quick success. The Gîtâ is like a boat, which takes man across from the self-imposed state of bondage to the freedom that is his nature. He is taken from darkness to light, from lusterlessness to splendour. The Gîtâ ordains for man disciplines and duties that are free from the taints of vasanas (tendencies and impulses) that tie him to the relentless wheel of birth and death. Really speaking, man has come to thiskarmakshetra (field of activity) only to engage himself in activity, not in order to earn the fruit of such activity. That is the teaching of the Gîtâ, its fundamental lesson. The Gîtâ is the quintessence of the meaning of all

the Vedas.... The Gîtâ is the very voice of Lord Krishna. The fact that it has provided consolation and liberation to millions of men is evidence of its divine origin. A lesser person could not have given it that authenticity."

   LordKrishna is Purushottama, the greatest being. We can offer our faultsand foibles, and sins and sorrows,at Krishna's feet and enjoy the highest treasure of pure, unalloyed bliss. We must enshrine the teachings of Krishna in our hearts and practice these precepts in our daily lives. The slokas of the Bhagavad Gîtâ will banish the soka (sorrow) in our hearts and give us abiding peace and joy."

"For many millennia the Bhagavad Gîtâ has been propagating the high ideals of the life divine. It is a peerless spiritual text that has brought great fame to Bharat. It has been the special privilege of Bharat to have received the Bhagavad Gîtâ. The Gîtâ is a unique scriptural poem, unsurpassed in meta-physical content by the texts of any other country ... The Gîtâ does not observe any distinctions on the basis of caste, creed, community or nationality, or as between men or women. It is an eclectic and catholic scripture, transcending all man-made barriers, and of universal relevance. It reveals the

importance of one's own dharma or duty (sva-dharma) to all those who study it in a spirit of adoration."

    "Krishna taught the Gîtâ to Arjuna. But He intended it for the whole of humanity. Arjuna was just a representative of mankind. That very Gîtâ is today correcting all mankind. It is not for any particular caste, religion or nation. It is the very breath for humans everywhere.

The Bhagavad Gîtâ contains the quintessence of all scriptures. It should be studied assiduously by every spiritual aspirant. It should also be regarded as a book of great practical value in our daily lives. It has given solace to many, and it will help you also in your spiritual progress.