Spiritual Relationships: The Wisdom of Yogananda (Volume 3)
Rarely in a lifetime does a new spiritual classic appear that has the power to change people's lives and transform future generations. This is such a book. The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda shares the profound insights of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, as remembered by one of his few remaining direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda. This revelation of India's best-loved scripture approaches it from an entirely fresh perspective, showing its deep allegorical meaning and also its down-to-earth practicality. The themes presented are universal: how to achieve victory in life in union with the divine; how to prepare for life's "final exam," death, and what happens afterward; how to triumph over all pain and suffering. This book is itself a triumph. Swami Kriyananda worked with Paramhansa Yogananda in 1950 while the Master completed his commentary. At that time Yogananda commissioned him to disseminate his teachings world-wide. Kriyananda has in his lifetime lectured, taught, and written eighty-five books based on Yogananda's teachings. He was recently appointed to honorary membership in the prestigious Club of Budapest, thereby joining such world-renowned figures as the Dalai Lama. The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, Kriyananda's eighty-sixth book, is the crowning achievement of his highly productive life. In this, his masterpiece, he declares, "Yogananda's insights into the Gita are the most amazing, thrilling, and helpful of any I have ever read."  1. What Is the Bhagavad Gita? 2. What Is Sanaatan Dharma? 3. The Allegory of the Gita 4. Allegory in Scripture 5. The Genesis of the Story 6. Why Cousins? Why Enemies? 7. The Spine: Pathway to Salvation 8. The Scripture Begins Gita Chapter 1: verse 1 9. Sanjaya Speaks Gita Chapter 1: verses 1-47 Gita Chapter 2: verses 1-9 10. The Nature of Death--Allegorical and Literal Gita Chapter 2: verses 10-39 11. Krishna's Consolation Reprise Gita Chapter 2: verses 1-40 12. The Nature of Right Action Gita Chapter 2: verses 40-72 13. Why Fight? Gita Chapter 3: verses 1-9 14. Directional Development Gita Chapter 3: verses 10-16 15. Freedom Through Action Gita Chapter 3: verses 17-43 16. The Supreme Science of Knowing God  VIII Book Description:  IX Excerpt Chapter #: TwoExcert Content: Excerpts from The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita (2:39) I have thus explained to you the ultimate wisdom of Shankhya. Now hear the wisdom of Yoga, equipped with which, O Partha, you will break the shackles of karma. This last passage appears variously translated in different texts. In fact, however, the version given by Paramhansa Yogananda is the most accurate. The word, "wisdom" which appears in the original, is conjoined with "Shankhya", and does not mean Gyana Yoga as some have it. Other translations refer to Karma Yoga, which doesn't even appear in the original text. What the Gita does speak of is that which "will loosen the bonds of karma". I have rendered the English translation more poetically by writing, "break the shackles of karma". The meaning is, of course, the same. Paramhansa Yogananda discussed the three main philosophies of India: Shankhya, Yoga, and Vedanta. He explained that the wisdom taught in Shankhya underscores the need to escape from maya, or delusion. Yoga tells the sincere seeker how to make good his escape. And Vedanta (literally, "Summation," or "End," of the Vedas) describes the nature of Brahman. (2:40) In this path (of yoga action) there is no danger of "unfinished business", nor are there latent within it the opposite, canceling effects of duality. Even a little practice of this religion will free one from dire fears and colossal sufferings (which are inherent in the unceasing cycles of death and rebirth). It is important to realize that in yoga practice as well, of course, as in any sincere search for God (the one Self, beyond all duality), there is no wasted effort, and no karmic rebound. There is, in other words, no "catch" to seeking God. With any other effort, no matter how glorious the consequences, it is always legitimate to ask, "What's wrong with it?" Only with the divine search is the answer a resounding, "Nothing's wrong!" Even to fail in this quest brings only good karma.