Section XL (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XVI) - Teachings on Fearlessness, Purity, and Self-Restraint
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XL (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XVI) including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Sanjaya explains that there are two kinds of beings in the world: those with god-like qualities and those with demoniac qualities. God-like individuals possess virtues such as fearlessness, purity, self-restraint, compassion, and forgiveness, which lead to liberation. In contrast, demoniac individuals exhibit qualities like hypocrisy, pride, ignorance, and cruelty, causing bondage and suffering. The demoniacs deny truth, believe in lust-driven creation, and are deluded by their insatiable desires and false notions.
The demoniac individuals are characterized by their lack of inclination or disinclination, absence of purity and good conduct, and their belief in a universe devoid of truth or guiding principles. They are driven by insatiable desires, arrogance, and folly, engaging in unholy practices and cherishing boundless thoughts limited by death. Fueled by hope, lust, and wrath, they covet wealth, power, and success, believing themselves to be superior and the sole enjoyers of their desires.
The demoniac beings are self-conceited, stubborn, and intoxicated by wealth, performing sacrifices hypocritically and against prescribed norms. They are filled with vanity, pride, and wrath, and they despise the divine, leading to their continual rebirth in demoniac forms and descent into hellish states. By renouncing lust, wrath, and avarice, individuals can free themselves from the three paths to darkness and work towards their own welfare and ultimate spiritual goal by following the scriptures and performing their duties diligently.
Full English translation:
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Section XL (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XVI), online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section XL (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XVI):
What are the qualities of those born with god-like possessions according to the Holy One?
Qualities include fearlessness, purity of heart, perseverance in knowledge, self-restraint, and compassion for all creatures.
What characterizes those born with demoniac possessions according to the Holy One?
Characteristics include hypocrisy, pride, conceit, ignorance, and a belief in the nonexistence of truth and rulership in the universe.
Daily life: Teachings on Fearlessness, Purity, and Self-Restraint:
To incorporate the teachings from this narrative into daily life, one should strive to embody qualities such as fearlessness, purity, perseverance in knowledge, self-restraint, and compassion. These attributes guide a person towards positive actions and thinking, fostering an environment of growth and harmony. It's important to engage in practices that enrich one’s spirit and moral fiber, like meditation, charity, and learning, which cultivate inner peace and understanding.
On the other hand, one should consciously avoid negative traits like hypocrisy, pride, and anger, which lead to personal and societal discord. Actions motivated by selfish desires, ignorance, and materialism only serve to entrap individuals in a cycle of dissatisfaction and regret. By prioritizing values that uplift oneself and others, and by making choices informed by wisdom and morality rather than sheer desire, a person can achieve true fulfillment and contribute to a better world.
Living according to these principles ensures a path away from the metaphorical 'foul hell' of unending desires and towards a life of purpose and enlightenment. It is through the rejection of harmful inclinations and the embrace of virtuous living, as outlined in the scriptures, that one can attain the highest form of happiness and ultimate success.