High Thinking, Gita Living:
Ranchor’s Bhagavad Gita Seminar at the Manor
By Krupesh
The Bhagvad Gita is the oldest book in history. It has been spoken of countless times from the advent of Kali-Yuga through to the present day. Each time it is read by a devotee, new realisations emerge; each time it is discussed, listeners gain new understandings. Last month, the Bhagvad Gita was presented once again, but in a different style. It all began a year ago when Ranchor das published his own version of the Gita, albeit in disguised form for the masses – an innocent picture book containing places and people of India. His book, entitled “The Illustrated Bhagavad Gita” is simple and easy to read. Ranchor did away with the Sanskrit text altogether and simply concentrated on an everyday-use English translation and avoided lengthy commentaries. Whilst this version of the Gita lacks the greater depth many ISKCON devotees would appreciate, it nevertheless serves its purpose of introducing the layperson from the street to the divine text of the Bhagvad Gita. Held at the Manor, Ranchor’s “Bhagavad Gita for the West” presentation attracted a small, cosy group of a dozen keen individuals. They each attended for different reasons. One had practised hath-yoga, another was an environmental officer. The group had varied levels of understanding, having read the Gita fully, partially, or not at all. Ranchor’s aim was to make the Gita simple to approach without having to understand the wider scenario of the events in the MahaBharat which led to the impending Battle at Kuru-kshetra whereupon the Song of God was spoken 5,107 years ago, but instead, as an actual conversation between two close friends lasting only half-an-hour. Ranchor’s Gita session was divided into three bite-size parts focusing on Karma-Yoga, devotion, and practical application of the Gita. Key verses from each Chapter were explored, keeping in mind the relationship between Arjuna and Krishna – the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
At various times during the interactive session, members of the audience expressed personal experiences with what had just been discussed. At another point, the audience members were grouped in pairs to discuss puzzling points of the Gita. Overall, I felt it was well worthwhile, but as this was Ranchor’s first Gita discourse, he requested written feedback from the audience (including myself). Ranchor is now making preparations for his 6-week discourse on the Gita. It is nice to hear an overview of the Gita once in a while, which is rarely experienced; shravanan of the big picture in addition to the small. When was the last time you attended a class that discussed more than one verse at a time? Don’t think that a Bhagvad Gita course is just for newcomers. By attending, I increased my understanding that little bit more. As devotees, one should be well versed – if nothing else but with a short book that teaches everything from “I am not this body” (Bg. 2.13), the eternality of the soul (Bg. 2.12), perpetual birth (Bg.Ch.2), the universal divisions of society (Bg. 4.13-4), progressive steps of worship (Bg. 4.11), discouragement of demigod worship (Bg. 7.20), the importance of devotional service (Bg. 18.55), and the need for guru (Bg. 4.34). Preaching does not only mean informing others of the teachings of the soul, his present karmic situation, and his dormant relationship with the Supersoul, but it also means defeating interpretations and other schools of thought such as Impersonalism. One can only preach properly up to the point of one’s own realisations. So knowing the Bhagvad Gita thoroughly means one can preach successfully, regardless of the outcome. How ever much we already understand – or think we understand – there is always the ability to understand more. After all, how many of us can claim to write beautiful Gita purports like Srila Prabhupada? If you are interested in future Bhagvad Gita courses, please inform Clency or SitaRam das on 01923 854 270. You can also attend other courses at the Manor. The next course scheduled is Vedic Astrology for the 11th December 2004 (please telephone in advance for details, bookings, and course prices).