The Bhagavad Gita is the basis of human evolution. It is also a transcendental work which when put into practice can simply speed up the process of such evolution. The goal of Bhagavad Gita is to carry one from the grip of eternal bondage to the stage of “nityata” or permanence. The substance of the Bhagavad Gita is unbelievably esoteric. One should not attempt to study this text casually. One should take the guidance of an enlightened master if one is serious in one’s own progression.
The Verses of the Bhagavad Gita as well as its Chapters are arranged based on Spiritual Logic. The Sambandha or the relationship factor with the Supreme is approached very smoothly starting from the despondency of an ignorant fool like Dhritarashtra to the final attainment of Krishna which is the Prayojana or the Ultimate good. The eighteen chapters of the Gita are so arranged that it covers the unlimited possibilities within human consciousness and methodically knocks off the scum of illusion and gently places one’s consciousness in the lap of the divine where there are no more worries or anxieties. The system of Yoga is divided into six major classes namely Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Jnana, Kriya and Karma Yoga.
All these Yoga Systems are touched upon by the Lord in Bhagavad Gita. However the understanding of the Bhagavad Gita in the context of Bhakti Yoga is all inclusive. One who is in Bhakti yoga covers all other forms of Yoga. This the Lord elucidates in His address to Arjuna. All the other forms of Yoga if they do not culminate in Bhakti, in other words if the practitioners of other forms of Yoga do not finally accept Sri Krishna as the summum bonum of all that can be , they would continue to be dictated by the forces of Maya. The Lord gave the Bhagavad Gita to the world as early as 5000 years ago, knowing well that the next Yuga after Dwapara is Kali Yuga where people would possess extremely poor intelligence. Hence it was obligatory for the Lord to introduce and discuss these other forms of Yoga in the Gita which unfortunately the people of Kali Yuga would follow and then direct the audience to that which is ultimate namely Bhakti Yoga. Hatha Yoga is the path of first taming the body using force. The goal of Hatha Yoga is to use practices and make the body still so that slowly the mind could be attended to. Raja Yoga is the art of controlling the mind through the medium of breath using Pranayama. Kriya Yoga is the art of focusing the mind through meditation and getting familiar with the vibrations operating within the body and the universe and to be able to gravitate to the higher forces of nature. Jnana Yoga is the art of using intelligence to understand the differences between matter and non-matter through the intellect which has to be sharpened through other systems of Yoga as auxiliary forms. Karma Yoga is relatively a simpler form of Yoga very much applicable in the context of Kali Yuga. It involves focusing on action. The result of such action is then surrendered to
the Lord in the mind, although at the initial stage the action is not wholly surrendered due to the veil of ignorance. Such Karma Yoga forms the basis of Bhakti Yoga. Sustained Karma Yoga should lead one naturally to Bhakti Yoga and attraction to the Supreme Personality. This is Karma Yoga Proper. Bhakti Yoga is the pinnacle of all other systems of Yoga where one is released from the bonds of material nature and one is propelled to the feet of the Lord. The Lord accepts the devotee and takes care of all the needs of the devotee while the devotee simply enjoys in his heart the sweet association of his dear Lord and shares one of the four types of relationships with Him namely the relationship of a servant, a friend, a parent or a lover. Such a devotee who is steeped in Bhakti has reached his goal. He has nothing more to attain. One who tries to control his body, mind, bodily energies and so-on does not understand the finality of his endeavour. The Lord appeared in Kali Yuga as Sriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and simplified all the Yoga Systems for the sake of the educated and uneducated ignorant mass of people and gave a simple method, the method of Raganuga Bhakti, the path of spontaneous devotion and service. He presented the most advanced form of Yoga in the most sublime and simple way through Raganuga Sadhana process. In this work Raganugiya Gita, there is an attempt to present the work of Bhagavad Gita by the inner inspiration of Guru and Gauranga. Explanations are provided in the light of the teachings of Sriman Mahaprabhu presented towards fulfilment of Raganuga Manjari Bhava Sadhana, the Queen of all Bhakti practices.
Charan Pahari 