Bhagvad Gita Reflection Paper
Bhagvad Gita Reflection Paper
Ariston Carter
Prof. John Dalrymple
World Religions 205
July 12, 2011
While perusing through the Bhagvad Gita, one of the most important books in the Mahaabbharata, certain elements must be analyzed and recognized as critical to understanding the complex religious and social system that is Hinduism. These elements include karma, reincarnation, yoga, and dharma. Beginning with karma, we must first identify what it is before we relate it to Hinduism. Karma is the moral law of cause and effect, maintaining that every act has a moral consequence. In the Bhagvad Gita, there are two concepts to karma: Sanyas, which means renunciation of action evoked by desire, and tyaga, which means abandonment of the fruit of those actions. If actions are performed with selfish motives, then the doer has to assume responsibility for those actions and all of the proceeding actions and consequences resulting from it. In relation to Hinduism, this is a core theme, as it also feeds into other elements. Karma teaches selflessness, humanitarianism, and responsibility to its followers, which is one of the many reasons why Hinduism is seen as a peaceful religion. Karma is directly correlated with another element, reincarnation.
First understanding exactly what reincarnation is before relating it to Hinduism and karma is essential. Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul in a different body, "For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (Bhagavad Gita 2.20). The Bhagvad Gita, in Chapter 13.34, utilizes the metaphor of sun and sunshine to explain the concept of reincarnation. Since sunlight emanates from a single source (the sun) and can be seen throughout the entire solar system, consciousness is seen all over the body, and is proof that the soul is present in a
Ariston Carter
Prof. John Dalrymple
World Religions 205
July 12, 2011
While perusing through the Bhagvad Gita, one of the most important books in the Mahaabbharata, certain elements must be analyzed and recognized as critical to understanding the complex religious and social system that is Hinduism. These elements include karma, reincarnation, yoga, and dharma. Beginning with karma, we must first identify what it is before we relate it to Hinduism. Karma is the moral law of cause and effect, maintaining that every act has a moral consequence. In the Bhagvad Gita, there are two concepts to karma: Sanyas, which means renunciation of action evoked by desire, and tyaga, which means abandonment of the fruit of those actions. If actions are performed with selfish motives, then the doer has to assume responsibility for those actions and all of the proceeding actions and consequences resulting from it. In relation to Hinduism, this is a core theme, as it also feeds into other elements. Karma teaches selflessness, humanitarianism, and responsibility to its followers, which is one of the many reasons why Hinduism is seen as a peaceful religion. Karma is directly correlated with another element, reincarnation.
First understanding exactly what reincarnation is before relating it to Hinduism and karma is essential. Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul in a different body, "For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (Bhagavad Gita 2.20). The Bhagvad Gita, in Chapter 13.34, utilizes the metaphor of sun and sunshine to explain the concept of reincarnation. Since sunlight emanates from a single source (the sun) and can be seen throughout the entire solar system, consciousness is seen all over the body, and is proof that the soul is present in a