Bhagavad Gita (BG) Class Minutes 09JUL2010 Chapter 1 why is this context setting? Whats going on? 1.

1. We need to build a very strong character 2. Collectively a very strong society Whats this character building? How do we judge character building? 1. Ability to handle extreme situations a. If one is weak , the situations could tear you up 2. Can we face and handle trauma in life? a. Kathopanishad discusses extensively on death 3. Can we develop inner strength and mental courage, the indicators of character? 4. Can we evolve our mind into a higher plane of existence? a. Physical and material evolution do not matter 5. Do we have clarity of thought? a. Metrics: i. List of things to worry about should come down ii. Amount of time being happy should go up 6. Ability to draw enormous energy from within a. Cites an example of a swamiji who sits cross-legged on floor without interruption or any movement for more than twelve hours and stands up from that posture just like that without any effort evidence of energy drawn from within

Ch 1: Slokas 26-30: Decision making is not easy always States all signs of people who are exhausted Expression of energy coming out negatively

Ch 1: Sloka 34: Argument 1 No motivation for war End is not selfish we wanted the kingdom for the sake of them whom we are against.

Ch 1: Slokas 35-36: Even if I perish its OK Even if the gift of the war is all the universes, I do not need them. Shows lack of clarity of thought o Enormity of the situation and moral dilemma pull you down When we are in deep crisis, intellect works at its best though negatively!

Ch 1: Sloka 37: Argument 2: Very convincing by logic

Needs extraordinary effort to answer this

Ch 1: Slokas 38-39: Greed shuts off intellect Why are we walking into this trap?

Ch 1: Slokas 40-41: Moment you create a disequilibrium by creating a vacuum by destroying a class, dharma is lost. Dharma is a collection of non-conflicting ideas which maintains perennial sustainability.

Ch 1: Slokas 42-44: Hell is an idea not to consider the mythological meaning Disequilibrium these days children are not feeding their parents

Ch 1: Slokas 43-44: Damages by a war could be irreversible Why post-war issues could be very serious

Slide: So What? An organization that is decayed has all these symptoms Corporate dharma is severely challenged o Whats the point of profits if you are not going to exist after 5 years?! Where is the question of painting without a wall? Weaker section honest, soft people become vulnerable in the organization Hell: Chaos, nepotism and unprofessional ambience in the organization Merit and performance become uncared for These effects would cause permanent damage to the organization

Question by a student: Is means important or the end? There is no dichotomy between the means and the ends With dharma, both of these cannot go in conflict Means and ends together should not create a disequilibrium The whole challenge is in knowing if the means and ends are in conflict

Ch 1: Slokas 45-46: We surrender meekly when challenged

Essentially, we see that the situation proves to be an acid test for Arjunas character.