The Gita is a practical code to man’s life.

I don't know why I am the way I am!:confused2:
You have written a lucid and a clear introductory article on Gita. And others are on the way, no doubt I am looking forward to them eagerly. But my mind goes questioning and analyzing.
Cheeniya has put many of my thoughts beautifully in his own post to you. My mind too was thinking and feeling on those lines. It was a comfort to read his post and know that there are others out there who are in sync with my thought process. All this is said with respect, mind you, Chithra.
I have just started reading Amrtya Sen's Argumentative Indian. He too wonders tongue in cheek at the havoc caused after the great war in Mahabharat. He also quotes a boy who takes the permission of his teacher if he could could question whether Lord Krishna got away with an 'incomplete and and unconvincing' argument! The answer he got from his teacher was 'you can, but you should do so with 'adequate respect'!! It is human to question, we are given to be curious and explorative. There is always two sides to a coin. But, what a coin

L, Kamla

Chithra...an idea...How about interspersing your intro to Gita with elaborations of verses on alternate weeks??? Because, looks like it will be more than two months wait otherwise??:mrgreen:

 

Dear Chithra,

I agree with you totally on some mothers who turn their love and devotion for their children into insurance policies and use them as emotional weapon against their own children. When they do that then their love that they have shown over the years becomes depreciated.
I love Gibran's words on children too.

Love,
Jothi.

 

A very nice write-up. A very wise response to Jothi. I think in those terms now and hope I have the same thoughts when I am as old as you are.

Is the last line of Gibran "And though they are with you yet they belong not to you"

Cheeniya has voiced a valid opinion that dissociating from the fruit of labor is next to impossible and has quoted practical examples. I agree with his point 1 and think point 2 can be achieved by practicing the teachings of Gita - that is give it all to the work and expect not the result. I think when we give it all our best, the result would definitely be good, even if not immedietly definitely in the long run.

I have been reading about Montessori's methods( have a small kid ) where she says kids derive immense pleasure from just doing work - be it pouring or stacking. They are created that way and probably we parents spoil the fun in their work by making it more competitive and stressful for them.

Also, my optimism doesn't want me to agree with the statement - 'The lesser mortals can only hope to temper their actions in tune with the God's word'

Looking forward to Chithra's response to Kamla's quote from Amartya Sen's Argumentative Indian.

Good reading and a nice way to start the work day...

-Gayathri.

 

Dear Chitra,
Every week I am drawn to your Gita posts for it does give me an opportunity to analyse things differently. It has helped me strike a balance to some extent in terms of distress and happiness. I think peace of mind is the first requisite in the pursuit of truth. We as human beings are engaged in some work all the time with some expectations of desired results, peace of mind is disturbed when the result is not to our liking. You have explained that very well with your karma yoga explanation. I also liked your reply to Jothi which I should remember as my children keep growing.Keep your posts coming Chitra.
Love,

 

Dear Chithra,

I did not mention the words from A Sen's book to cause any arguments. I was eagerly awaiting your thoughts about that one sentence. I would be more than willing to accept and understand your views on it. You should not feel the need to PM your thoughts. Please do not think that your friend is so narrow in mind as not to accept a different view and idea. Actually, I am rearing to learn from you and acquire a fraction of your wisdom.

With love, Kamla