Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Bhagavad Gītā Study Quotes Collected and Collated
• Gītārtha Saṃgraha Study Quotes Collected and Collated
• Exploring the Bhagavad Gītā as a Vinyāsa Krama starting with Chapters One to Six…
• Online Bhagavad Gītā Chapters One to Eighteen Study Workbooks
• Welcome to the Art of Bhagavad Gītā Scripture Freenotes Overview
• YOGA AND MODERN MEDICINE – Interview by TKV Desikachar

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“How does Vedānta differ from Yoga?
In brief, we can say that the purpose of Yoga
is to change the state of mind,
so that it is less muddy.
In this effort, God may help.”
– TKV Desikachar introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā

The purpose of Vedānta is to become God…..
At an ideological level, Vedānta rejects Yoga’s
idea of God as something potentially helpful,
beside that point it likewise rejects whatever is
said in Yoga that does not take one toward God.”
– TKV Desikachar introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā

“How is it that we fail to act right,
see right, communicate right,
even though we have all the resources?
What are the indications of this failure?
What indicates that all is well?
Arjuna of the Indian epic Mahābhārata
represents the model of what clouds our
consciousness and what can break this cloud.”
– TKV Desikachar introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā

“The message of the Bhagavad Gītā is:
The vision of the lord is certain through
singular devotion developed by honouring ones Dharma
in a spirit that leads to clarity and detachment.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka One
(Yāmunācārya introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā)

“The first six chapters of the Gītā
deal with Karma and Jñāna that
reveal the true nature of oneself.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Two
(Yāmunācārya overview of the Bhagavad Gītā Chapters One to Six)

“The journey with and through the Bhagavad Gītā
is one of a Vinyāsa Krama with three distinct stages.
Firstly, the Pūrva Aṅga aspect of our journey in the ascension
from confusion to clarity, as epitomised in the first hexad.
Here we start from being disturbingly yoked to Viṣāda
as in the first Chapter, and through a chapter by chapter
process, we deepen our self-inquiry into the nature of who.
In other words, this hexad is an exploration of our relationship
with what we perceive and identify with as if our perennial self.
Through chapters two to five, we learn how to approach and
refine the practice of Dhyāna as in Chapter six, through which
clarity arises in our efforts to cultivate a sense of an inner guide.”
– Paul Harvey on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Two
(Yāmunācārya overview of the Bhagavad Gītā Chapters One to Six)

“The Bhagavad Gītā is about
confusion OF Dharma and
the Yoga Sūtra is about
confusion AND Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Two verse 7

“Amongst three powerful definitions of Yoga
within the Bhagavad Gītā, the first of which
defines Yoga as Samatvam or equanimity.
TKV Desikachar described it as:
“When acting responsibly within our Dharma,
there is no attachment to the fruits.”
However, he also described Samatvam
as being the fruit of a Sādhana in that:
“Samatvam is a Siddhi.
Because it is a state already achieved.”
Thus, Samatvam is both a Sādhana with a
Saṃkalpa towards the why of our self–interest,
as well as being a Siddhi with the fruit being a
discernment into the how, revealing our deeper
motivations for self–fruit within self–intention.
Hence, that of an acquired skillfulness in acting
from a place of Dharma within the field of Karma.”
– Paul Harvey on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Two verse 48

“The next six chapters emphasise that
devotion is the basis for seeing the truth.
This truth is, the Lord.
But devotion must grow from following ones duty
in a spirit of selflessness and search.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Three
(Yāmunācārya overview of the Bhagavad Gītā Chapters Seven to Twelve)

“The last six chapters present
the three fundamental entities:
Prakṛti, Puruṣan and Īśvara.
What is most vital to a person
for everlasting happiness is to
understand the nature of consciousness
and the Lord and his creation.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Four
(Yāmunācārya overview of the Bhagavad Gītā Chapters Thirteen to Eighteen)

“The Bhagavad Gītā is addressed to those seekers
who are suffering because of lack of clarity with
regard to friendship, compassion and Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Five
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter One)

“In the Bhagavad Gītā, Karma is defined as a Śodhana Kriyā where,
as actions are performed, they also offer a chance to refine oneself.
Thus, whatever I do and whatever happens is a chance to refine myself.
The Bhāvana here is Ātma Śuddha where all actions are an opportunity
for purification of that which inhibits the expression of our essence.”
– Paul Harvey on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Five verse 11

“How does Vedānta differ from Yoga?
In brief, we can say that the purpose of Yoga is to change the state of mind, so that it is less muddy.
In this effort, God may help.
The purpose of Vedānta is to become God…..
At an ideological level, Vedānta rejects Yoga’s idea of God as something potentially helpful, beside that point it likewise rejects whatever is said in Yoga that does not take one toward God.
However, the Vedānta Sūtra does emphasise the importance of sitting properly for meditation and the Bhagavad Gītā speaks of the need for proper breathing.
All the Śāstra, in fact, accept the physical discipline of Yoga.”
– TKV Desikachar Chennai 1981

“In the Indian tradition, a śāstra is always studied under a teacher. It is the teacher who gives the text life and meaning by presenting it in a manner that the student can relate to and apply in his life.
The Bhagavad Gītā offers help to those in trouble. How its teachings can be related to our lives and taken advantage of, is explained by TKV Desikachar in his introduction and answers to his students.”
– Originally published by the KYM Darśanam May 1995

“How is it that we fail to to act right, see right, communicate right,
even though we have all the resources?
What are the indications of this failure?
What indicates that all is well?
Arjuna of the Indian epic Mahābhārata represents the model of
what clouds our consciousness and what can break this cloud.”
– TKV Desikachar introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā

“Dharma is that which supports you,
Dharma is that which stops you from falling,
Dharma is that which picks you up after you have fallen.”
– TKV Desikachar introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā

“The Bhagavad Gītā is about confusion OF Dharma and
the Yoga Sūtra is about confusion AND Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā

“In other situations,
I may use teachings from the Upaniṣad
to define certain aspects of a human being,
like the one about the five aspects of a human being, Maya.
This proves very useful to highlight specific aspects of Yoga
like the Yama and Niyama, etc.
When I must explain the Guṇa,
I cannot avoid referring to the teachings of Sāṃkhya,
which first mentioned this subject.
I often use ideas derived from the Bhagavad Gītā,
but I am not mistaking this teaching with Patañjali‘s.
In short,
I don’t hesitate to make use of any valid source
which helps me to explain, or to clarify a Yoga teaching,
provided I know where it comes from and of which system it is part.”
– Extract from an interview with TKV Desikachar on Vedic Chanting