Commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita:-There are many ancient and revered commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, each of which has a unique emphasis. The most prominent are those of Shankara, Ramanuja, & Madhva. The most ancient commentary on the Bhagavad Gita known to the modern world is that of Shankara (A.D. 788-820). He refers to still earlier commentaries, but they are not available. According to Shankara the Bhagavad Gita leads one beyond action & beyond all the distinctions of the phenomenal world to the realization of the Absolute. Shankara views the Bhagavad Gita as an expression of Advaita philosophy, and he uses the Bhagavad Gita to support his assertion that there is only one Reality without a second. His commentary emphasizes the identity of the Self with Brahman as the only Reality. In his view the phenomenal world is illusory, and taking it to be real creates bondage and suffering. Only direct knowledge of the ultimate Reality can bring freedom. Though selfless actions help to purify the mind, ultimately one goes beyond action and renounces all involvements in the mundane world. Historical Background of the Bhagavad Gita:- The Bhagavad Gita is unique among philosophical & psychological teachings, for it begins as two great armies confront one another at the start of a battle, and the teachings continue for eighteen days in the midst of the battlefield. Most Western readers who read this scripture for the first time become confused by first chapter, which describes the battlefield, for there is no introduction to inform the reader of the cause of the war and who protagonists are. Many readers are not aware that they are reading a scripture from the longest than the Iliad and Odyssey combined. The Bhagavad Gita is a mere seven hundred verses out of the one hundred thousand verses of the Mahabharata. If the reader were familiar with the Mahabharata, the events of the first chapter would be easily understood rather than being enigmatic. But without knowing what came before, the reader will be confused and will not fully appreciate Sri Krishna’s counsel. Arjuna’s Despondency ********* Dhritarashtra asked:-What did my sons & the sons of Pandu do, O Sanjaya, gathered together on the battlefield of righteousness, Kurukshetra, with the intent to fight? The first chapter is prefatory. Dhritarashtra, the blind king is standing on a hill overlooking the battlefield. In his anxiety, the unrighteous & unjust Dhritarashtra wants to know what is happening. So he asks his counselor and charioteer, Sanjaya, to describe the scene to him. Sanjaya, the narrator of the Bhagavad Gita, is a man of special attainments. He has inner vision and is able to describe exactly what is taking place even though he is far away. Sanjaya thus gives Dhritarashtra a complete account of what is happening on the battlefield. Ignorant & unjust people are spiritually blind. Because of their selfish way of life, they do not accept reality. Dhritarashrta usurped the kingdom of the innocent and righteous, refusing to hand over the lawful rights of his nephews. In every family, society, or organization the elders must give the younger members their proper rights. When that is not done, frustration develops and creates a reaction in the minds of those rights have been snatched unjustly. The Way of Self Knowledge************************ Sanjaya said:- To him who was thus possesses with a pitiful mood, whose eyes were distressed and filled with tears, and who was suffering from sadness, the destroyer of Madhu, Sri Krishns, addressed these words. Although Arjuna formerly felt confident of his strength and know he was capable of destroying his enemy, he lost that awareness when ne became overwhelmed with pity. But such pity is merely an outburst of weak ness. When one pities others, he identifies himself with those whom he pities, and he is then distracted by the objects of his identification. He identifies with weakness and forgets his true Self. Pity helps neither the one who pities nor the one who is pitied. Arjuna’s pity for those on the battlifield led him to pity himself as wll. After making sincere efforts, Arjuna thought there was an insurmountable barrier in front of him, & he lost his mental balance. Kanva Rishi, a sage of the Vedic period, also experienced moments of spiritual turmoil. He had practiced severe austerities and mortifications for many years and had faithfully the righteous path of sadhana but was not able to attain his goal. Kanva burst into tears & surrendered all human endeavor, thus opening himself to receive the strength that lies beyond the known field of consciousness. When human resources are exhausted, something from beyond comes to one’s aid. Sincere efforts & a noe-pointed mind with a single desire to know are the keys to attain that experience.