Hinduism, Bhagavad Gita, Paths of Yoga
Book II Bhagavad Gita (Nonell): Hinduism, Gita, Paths of Yoga. Influence on Humanity
This second part of the Book «The Yoga of Wisdom” aims to know the foundations of Hinduism, the Sanatana Dharma (the Eternal Religion), from the study of the Bhagavad Gita, analyzing its key concepts: Brahman, Atman, Karma, reincarnation, Samsara, Ahimsa (Nonviolence), detachment for the fruits of actions, Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), Prakriti (nature), Yajna or sacrifice, Hindu vision of the universe, Castes (Varnas) system in addition to the figure of the compiler of the Bhagavad Gita: Veda Vyasa.
Hinduismo, Bhagavad Gita, Caminos del Yoga 
Hinduísmo, Bagavadeguitá, Caminhos da Ioga.
Introduction to Book II: Hinduism,
Bhagavad Gita and the Paths of Yoga
Book II: Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma)
Example from the book:
The life of Mahatma Gandhi will also be analyzed, an example of a life based on non-violence (Ahimsa) and harmony between religions: his stay in South Africa (where he developed his vision of devotion to truth or Satyagraha), his contacts with Leo Tolstoy, Henry David Thoreau or Martin Luther King and their role in the peaceful independence of India.
The Bhagavad Gita and Mahatma Gandhi
The Teachings of Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society and Sivananda Yoga, are also analyzed, in addition to his interpretation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita and Sri Swami Sivananda
The flexibility of Hinduism is ubiquitous throughout the Bhagavad Gita, which is why the four Paths of Yoga to unite with Brahman will be studied.
- Jnana Yoga: Path of Knowledge
- Bhakti Yoga: Path of Devotion (love)
- Karma Yoga: Path of Action
- Dhyana Yoga: Path of Concentration and Meditation
Book II: The four Paths of Yoga for unite with Brahman
Knowing these four paths, all of them valid, we will try to answer the complex dilemma about the Yoga Philosophy: “Yoga: a physical or spiritual path?»
Although this essay is not a “physical” yoga manual, it has been considered appropriate to include a chapter on “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ”, analyzing the Yamas (abstentions) and Niyamas (observance), all of them widely reflected in the Bhagavad Gita, in Yoga philosophy and in any yoga practice.
A brief reference has also been written about the importance of BKS Iyengar (the founder of Iyengar Yoga) and author of the essential book: Light on Yoga.
The next chapter presents the “Principle of Harmony between Religions” enunciated by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, present in both the Rigveda and the Bhagavad Gita, and based on the tolerance of Hinduism with other religions.
The Bhagavad Gita and the Harmony between religions
The Bhagavad Gita and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
His disciple Swami Vivekananda, introducer of Vedanta and Yoga to the West, was the ambassador of this principle throughout the world. He will also reflect on the validity of this principle with other world's religions. The figures of Sri Aurobindo, Swami Krishnananda will also be presented.
The Bhagavad Gita and Swami Vivekananda
Chapter 8 will analyze the influence of the Bhagavad Gita and Gandhi on some Indian companies. How Gandhi inspired one of the greatest Muslim businessmen in India: Doctor Yusuf Khwaja Hamied, or the case of the Hinduja Group, whose strategy is based on the application of Dharma and Vedic principles of work. As well as the importance of the concept of “giving back to society” latent in the mission of many Indian companies, a principle clearly present in the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita and companies
Chapter 9 will focus on assessing the influence of the Bhagavad Gita on the West. The global expansion of yoga will be studied, the influence of the Bhagavad Gita on important figures such as Arthur Schopenhauer, Henry Thoreau, Albert Einstein, TS Elliot, Richard Wagner or Carl Jung. To conclude this chapter, some Western personalities who converted to Hinduism are presented, such as the Beatle George Harrison.
Influence of the Bhagavad Gita to the West
Hinduism shares many of its pillars with Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism: Ahimsa, detachment from the fruit of actions, truthfulness, yoga, meditation.. Furthermore, all of them were born in India, the land in which more religions have emerged. Many Hindus consider these three religions as sisters, some even think that they are other valid paths within Sanatana Dharma. Therefore, in Chapter 10 a brief introduction to these three religions will be presented.
The Bhagavad Gita and
Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism
Thank you very much, Pedro Nonell. Author of the Book «The Yoga of Wisdom».
Example from the book:
Teachings of Swami Sivananda, his interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita:
The importance of B. K. S. Iyengar
«Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self-realization. Yoga means union: The union of the body with the consciousness and of the consciousness with the soul. “Yoga cultivates ways to maintain a balanced attitude in daily life and provides skill in carrying out one's actions.» BKS Iyengar.
«Let us bow before the noblest of sages, Patanjali, who gave
yoga for serenity and holiness of mind, grammar for clarity and purity of
speech, and medicine for perfection of health.
Let us prostrate ourselves before Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa (the lord
of snakes), whose upper body is human-shaped, whose arms hold a conch shell and
a discus, and who is crowned by a thousand-headed cobra.
Let us prostrate ourselves before Lord Adisesa, who manifested himself on earth
as Patanjali to honor the human race with health and harmony.» B.K.S. Iyengar.
«All religions are branches of a big tree.. Sri Krishna was actually in the person's body.. The complicated thing is, if he is God, what is he doing fighting on a battlefield? It took me years to realize that, and again it was Yogananda's spiritual interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita that made me realize what it was about.» George Harrison.
«Look at the brotherhood of all humanity as the highest order designated by the yogis; conquer your mind and conquer the world.» Guru Nanak (Sikhism).
(c) Gita Institute
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