Philosophy - Bhagavad Gita

Question 1

Main characters from the Bhagavad Gita

Answer 1

• Arjuna
• Krishna
• Dhritarashtra
• Sanjaya
• Pandavas
• Kauravas
• Charriot & Horses

Question 2

5 lessons from the Bhagavad Gita

Answer 2

1. Know Yourself
2. Connect to & Follow your Purpose
3. Take Action
4. Practice & Build Experience
5. Tap into the wisdom of yoga & meditation

Question 3

Main themes of the Bhagavad Gita

Answer 3

• Dharma
• Karma
• Shraddha
• Metaphor of war
• Moksha
• Yoga

Question 4

Dharma

Answer 4

our life’s purpose, duty

Question 5

Karma

Answer 5

something that is done or thought, has an effect

Question 6

Shraddha

Answer 6

that which is placed in the heart, faith

a set of values that governs out thinking, dictates our responses, and shapes our lives

as we think, we become

Question 7

Metaphor of war

Answer 7

struggle for self-mastery, the war-within

Question 8

Moksha

Answer 8

liberation, spiritual freedom

Question 9

Paths of yoga

Answer 9

• Karma
• Bhakti
• Jnana
• Raja

Question 10

Path of Karma

Answer 10

Selfless Action

Question 11

Path of Bhakti

Answer 11

Devotion

Question 12

Path of Jnana

Answer 12

Knowledge

Question 13

Path of Raja

Answer 13

Methodical practice of meditation

Question 14

Combination of practice suggested to Arjuna to uncover Moksha

Answer 14

desire-less action, devotion, knowledge, practice

Question 15

Lessons from the Bhagavad-Gita

Answer 15

Lessons of courage & confidence. Krishna instructs Arjuna in the ways of yoga; giving him a wakeup call from his hopelessness & sadness.

Question 16

Arjuna

Answer 16

• IS: a great warrior and one of 5 Pandavas, who is in a deep spiritual crisis.
• ROLE: main character
• REPRESENTS: Us as we stand on the battlefield of life facing all the different parts of ourselves that prevent us from realizing our true nature. He is the hero; representing who you really are at your most sincere.

Question 17

Lord Krishna

Answer 17

• IS: a charioteer of Arjuna and divine teacher (guru)
• ROLE: main character
• REPRESENTS: the ‘higher Self’ or ‘divine love’. Inner wisdom that resides within each of us.

Question 18

King Dhritarashtra

Answer 18

• IS: a blind king whose mind was clouded by desires & delusion
• ROLE: to whom the story is told
• REPRESENTS: attachment and spiritual blindness. That part or our nature that wants things to work out the way we want.

Question 19

Sanjaya

Answer 19

• IS: a devoted counsellor of the King and disciple of Vyasa, who has attained some spiritual wisdom.
• ROLE: teller of this story
• REPRESENTS: intuitive knowledge.
  That part of us that has attained some real spiritual experiences through wilful practices and surrender.

Question 20

Pandavas

Answer 20

• IS: Arjuna’s clan

- REPRESENTS: wisdom & righteousness

Question 21

Kauravas

Answer 21

• IS: enemy clan against Arjuna

- REPRESENTS: desire, attachment, ignorance, and all ego-driven traits

Question 22

The Bhagavad Gita

Answer 22

• part of the Sanskrit Epic Mahabharata (400 BCE)
• 700 verses in 18 chapters
• traditionally ascribed to the Sage Vyasa

Question 23

What is The Bhagavad Gita about?

Answer 23

A conversation between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna in the middle of the battlefield just before the start of the Kurukshetra battle.

Faced with moral dilemma and confusion, Arjuna loses his heart and so, Krishna revives him with his wise words of wisdom

Question 24

The Chariot

Answer 24

• REPRESENTS: our physical body

Question 25

The Horses

Answer 25

• REPRESENTS: our five senses