The Bhagavad-Gītā: Ancient Commentaries, Modern Insights

The Bhagavad-Gītā (1st or 2nd Century) is one of the most well-known and widely translated books in the world. Preserved as an episode in Mahābhārata, the text presents a synthesis of Hindu thought and religion unfolding within a dialogue that takes place between Śrī Krishna and Prince Arjuna upon the battlefield of Kurukṣetra. Āchārya Sthaneshwar examines the text in its depth and originality while balancing three different streams of Hindu Philosophy, the non-dualism of Śaṅkarācārya that emphasizes knowledge, the qualified non-dualism of Rāmānujācārya grounded in Vaiṣṇava theology, and the monism of Abhinavagupta with his foundational philosophy of realization combined with action. He additionally considers the relevance of these teachings to contemporary issues including the meaning of moral agency, the problem of violence, and the scope of the diverse forms of yoga such as devotion, wisdom, and action.

This self-paced course contains 23 video lectures and 24 Q&A sessions.

1. Chapter 1: Arjuna Viṣhāda Yoga
2-3. Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga
4-5. Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
6. Chapter 4: Jnana Yoga
7. Chapter 5: Karma Sanyāsa Yoga
8-9. Chapter 6: Dhyāna Yoga
10. Chapter 7: Vijnana Yoga
11. Chapter 8: Akṣhara Parabrahma Yoga
12. Chapter 9: Rāja Vidyā Yoga
13. Chapter 10: Vibhūti Yoga
14. Chapter 11: Viśhwarūpa Sandarśhana Yoga
15. Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga
16-17. Chapter 13: Kṣhetra Kṣhetrajña Vibhāga Yoga
18. Chapter 14: Guṇa Traya Vibhāga Yoga
19. Chapter 15: Puruṣhottama Yoga
20. Chapter 16: Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāga Yoga
21. Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāga Yoga
22-23. Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyāsa Yoga