Little may realize it, but within the Sanatana Dharma (what most know as Hinduism) there exists collections of sacred books which followers of Sanatana Dharma adhere to and live by.
One major book in particular is called the Bhagavad Gita or simply "The Gita" (Syman, 2018).
Basically, Vedic followers view The Gita as a microcosm of Vedanta-Bhakti, Karmic, and Yogic components of Sanatana Dharma, or Vedic tradition.
It is also worth noting that the name Bhagavad Gita means "Song of the Lord." It is part of a poem connected to Mahabharata, the 6th book in Hindu tradition.
The message of The Gita is not merely aimed at Vaishnavas (Vedic adherents) but at all people of all faiths, which is what distinguishes it from religions believing in a "chosen few." The Gita is accepted by most followers of Sanatana Dharma as a seminal text, or that of great importance to Sanatana Dharma.
Each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita references the book as the "Gita Upanishad" or the "yoga text," whose rules are considered applicable to all who read it.
The book is basically about the infinite love of Krishna for all life. It speaks of the mind and the soul (Atman) of humanity, and demands overwhelming love.
What also sets The Gita apart from other religious texts is that it demands the cultivation of intelligence, rather than faith, being equipoised to greater purposes, and using one's body properly.
Lastly, The Gita stresses nishkam karma or self-less acts as the ultimate show of love – making the Bhagavad Gita the one of the greatest books of spiritual liberation in the Vedic religion.
What are your thoughts? Is the Gita any different from other religious texts?
Cited material:
https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/first-book-yoga
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