Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar discusses several key lessons and realizations from studying the Bhagavad Gita. He realizes that everyone is moving towards the same goal of self-realization. He learns to appreciate this shared destiny and it helps reduce impatience and cultivate true love. He also comes to understand the Gita's teachings on overcoming ego and pride that can develop from studying spiritual texts. Dr. Kashalikar discusses how properly understanding concepts like "truth" and realizing one's higher self leads to appropriate, blossoming behavior for all. He shares how his perspectives on concepts from the Gita like duty, violence, and relationships evolved through his study.

2. STUDY
OF
GITA
Dr.
Shriniwas
Kashalikar

3. Nov 11, 2009, 10:00 am
One of the most interesting things I learnt from Gita; and
also got thoroughly convinced in the course of time from
the practice of NAMASMARAN; is the fact that everyone
is moving towards the same goal and the same destination.
This fact usually remains concealed and one gets impatient
to “teach others”, “for their welfare”! This impatience
though natural can create condescending attitude and
develop subtle expectations such as publicity and growth of
your (otherwise selfless) mission! This can take away your
peace and mar the quality of your behavior.
When we appreciate this fact; that we all are going in the
same direction and towards the same goal, then true love
(probably more than that evident amongst the pilgrims)
emerges and blossoms. That is the greatest hallmark of
world culture.
Once I get convinced and clear about this fact, then the acts
of impatience and ignorance (whether committed by me or
others) do not disturb me any more to a significant extent.
It is matter of great privilege for us to realize (deep
experience) this love especially amongst family members,
relatives, colleagues, coworkers, people of our country,
people from world and latter; even the enemies!
Even as this revelation of love is magnificent; it may not
manifest at all times and in all persons. It is natural (and
hence need not be despised) that; at various stages of

4. development we frantically advise, admonish, preach and
also expect the results; from ourselves; and more so from
outside! But Gita surely frees us from this in the course of
time!
One of the difficulties in the study of Gita is that; it can
develop a doubt; “Why truth has to be shown by some one
else?” or “Why should I follow the ancestors when I am
‘more evolved’?”
As the study proceeds, however; you gradually realize that
“truth” or “self” is beyond time and the you stop
developing superiority and inferiority complex (developed
because of your petty identity), making you feel superior to
posterity and inferior to ancestors respectively!
Another hindrance is the pride that can develop merely
because you learn Gita or you recite her! But gradually
during study we realize that if “I” learn Gita; it is neither a
matter of pride (if acclaimed by people respecting Gita) nor
a matter of pity (if ridiculed by people looking down upon
Gita). It is matter of being happy to blossom together!
In Gita, there is a reference to virtues in many places;
including 16th and 18th chapters.
One of them is “truth”.
In everyday practice, there is always a conflict between
loyal description of facts (which can either prove stupid
and invite difficulties; or wise at produce profits) and

5. concealing or misrepresenting the facts, (which also can
engender punishment or yield gains). Hence there is
ongoing conflict in every mind about the virtue viz. truth
and Gita provides the answer to it.
I began to appreciate the ‘true’ meaning of ‘truth’ gradually
and distinguish it from “mere narration of apparent facts;
even if done with 100%; loyalty and fidelity”.
I began to understand that realization of “truth”; is a
process and it leads to expression of appropriate behavior,
conducive to blossoming of everyone and realization of
truth!
For this (rising above the criminal lies and gullible truths
and living effectively to reach the truth) to happen; there
are many precepts which ought to be followed from
childhood, but the most important and universally
practicable in every condition and situation is
NAMASMARAN.
In 6th chapter there is a verse; which is very famous verse
(UDDHARET ATMANATMANAM NATMANAM
AVASADAYET
ATMAIVA HYATMANO BANDHUH ATMAIVA
RIPURATMANA)
I began to understand this; by correlating it with the
previous reference to the self. Lord Krishna elucidates the
nature of real self to Arjuna in the 2nd and 3rd chapters. He
then advises Arjuna in 6th chapter, in this verse; to rescue

6. and uplift the other part of his consciousness (we can call it
lower or actually physical or physiological consciousness;
without being derogatory) that has been trapped in body
systems; feelings and intellectual framework; and prevent
its further bondage. He further states that if you do this;
then you would find that that your lower consciousness is
friend of your higher consciousness (you) and if you don’t,
then you would find that your lower consciousness is verily
the enemy of your higher consciousness (you).
When I began the study, it used appear strange that in 2nd
chapter Lord Krishna has referred the war as great
opportunity.
I used to find this strange and not acceptable, because of
my erroneous concepts and feelings about the violence. I
used to think that war is devilish, vicious, and avoidable
and hence should be avoided.
Later, I used to partly agree but rather reluctantly, because I
used to think that Lord Krishna justified this war because it
was imposed on them even as he had tried to avert the war
through maximum possible negotiations!
But now I realize that the upholding of war as an
opportunity; refers to the option (which no other living
being has) to emancipate the lower consciousness by
participating in the war to conquer all physiological
conflicts inside and social contradictions; outside!
In my view this war of rescuing and emancipating the
consciousness trapped in senses is described in

7. HATHAYOGA texts as KUDALINI JAGRUTI. Hence
HATHAYOGA practices (described in 6th chapter of Gita
and Dnyaneshavari or Jnaneshvari) and intellectual
exploration as through the SANKHY YOGA (also
described in 2nd chapter of Gita and Jnaneshvari) are
perfectly complementary and reach you to the same
destination, viz. individual and global blossoming!
The heavenly beauty and bounty of Gita is that she takes
you beyond petty “love and hate” relationships. She reveals
to you; how the love and hatred; in as much as the sense of
fear and animosity; are born in your consciousness trapped
in your senses and how rescuing the same would free you
from all subjectivity and all pettiness. I seem to understand
now, that this; if realized by us; can make our personal
relationships far more pleasant than one can ever imagine!
Our relationships can become sublime and can go beyond
any distance, any time and even death, through Gita and
hence Gita is a super romantic cosmic poetry.
Every single step in this direction is more precious than the
entire world, even if mountains of drawbacks and oceans of
adversities within or outside us; try to drag us back!
I have written an article entitled “Worshiping Sex” and
unknowingly or not being fully aware, I have highlighted in
it; this process of lovingly rescuing your consciousness
(making it your friend) from the physiological prisons,
rather than hating it. I can appreciate now, the feeling of
adoring, towards; sexual attraction in the universe which is
at the root of motherhood and worshipped as Kundalini and

8. various Goddesses; who merge with the true self; when
appropriate.