So I just read through this work as part of the Sacred Writings volume in the Harvard Classics series. I’m interested in understanding where the religion is coming from, so I decided to read this with some intention to really understand the doctrines. I’m certain there is a lot more to it, but these are the notes I made as I was reading the chapters. The god character is called Krishna, but also Brahma (as well as other names)…I’m not certain what exactly the proper forms or titles are, or what I should be using, so please, IF you happen upon this, and I’ve gotten something wrong, I meant no disrespect.
Chap 1) The Distress of Arjuna
The warrior king Arjuna is in despair at the loss of life he foresees occurring in an upcoming battle. He speaks with Krishna about the morality of the battle.
Chap 2) Book of Doctrines
Krishna teaches that souls cannot be killed, but are continually reborn. He teaches about karma and performing deeds for their own merit, not for the fruit they will bear. He teaches him how to meditate, master himself, and how to set off the self to attain nirvana.
Chap 3) Virtue in Work
There are two paths: works and meditation. Both must be performed free from desires. Desires come from self.
Chap 4) The Religion of Knowledge
The sacrifice of learning knowledge is greatest since its worth lies in the mind gives with a heart to serve. Knowing truth teaches one to renounce the world. The world no longer can possess or enslave him, because he is self-contained.
Chap 5) Renouncing Fruit of Works
The basic ideal is to not care about gaining something from the work you do. If you can achieve this, then you can no longer be corrupted by the world.
Chap 6) Self-Restraint
The perfect one ceases from all works- meaning he acts, but does so unmoved by passions and unbound by deeds. He sets the results aside. His senses are subjugated. His thoughts are controlled, passions are laid away, and he has quit his belongings.
Chap 7) Discernment
The highest sort of knowledge is to meditate on and know Brahma, the highest god.
Chap 8) Devotion to the One Supreme God
Chap 9) The Kingly Knowledge and The Kingly Mystery
All existences are contained in Brahma, but he is not contained in them. Worship him alone.
Chap 10) Heavenly Perfections
Only the one that knows Brahma is truly free from sin. Brahma is all and made all, but abides as separate.
Chap 11) Manifesting of the One and Manifold
Arjuna asks Brahma to reveal his fullness to him. Brahma grants him the wish by first giving him the ability to see truly how all creation comes from him and the all the vastness of forms it takes, then how through time, all is taken back.
Chap 12) Faith
A hierarchy of faith is outlined. The highest is full, unpolluted devotion to Brahma. Then steadfast worship, then works, then finally humility in failures.
Chap 13) Separation of Matter and Spirit
Analogy of matter as a field, the soul as the thing that is able to see and know the field.
Chap 14) Separation from the Qualities
The three qualities are truthfulness, passion, and ignorance. Passions are lusts that tie one to the world. Ignorance is the lowest. Ignorance, I believe, would be how one is deceived by the world, and sees only an illusion. Learning the truth of things sets him free.
Chap 15) Attaining the Supreme
In life, everything is twofold (matter and soul?), but the supreme is undivided, one.
Chap 16) Separateness of the Divine and Undivine
All men are marked with the divine and the undivine. The divine seeks truth, the undivine is given over to passions and ignorance. Lust, wrath, and avarice are the three gates to hell.
Chap 17) Three-fold Kinds of Faith
The three types of faith are true, passion-stained, and dark.
Chap 18) Deliverance and Renunciation