Chapter 2

Essence of the Gita

Summary of chapter two

Important Verses

New Characters

What are the Key Concepts?

Summary of Chapter Two

The chapter begins with Arjuna, confused and depressed, telling Krishna he will not fight. Still, Arjuna turns to Krishna for help and guidance. Lord Krishna then encourages Arjuna to give up his grief by reminding him that everyone on the battlefield is actually an eternal individual soul that never dies. He notes how the physical body inhabited by the soul changes throughout life and changes abruptly at death. He compares the physical body to a garment worn by and covering a person. Krishna then strengthens his position by giving a detailed description of the characteristics of the soul. He points out to Arjuna that discomfort is inescapable for one who has a physical body. Lord Krishna emphasizes that the ability to tolerate and not be distracted by physical discomfort or pleasure in carrying out duty is an essential quality for making spiritual progress. He encourages Arjuna to do his duty of fighting and predicts if Arjuna did not fight he would be ridiculed.

The second part of the chapter begins with Lord Krishna’s reassurance that progress on the spiritual path is never lost but requires firm determination. A person who dwells primarily on physical comforts won’t make progress. He recommends Arjuna do his duty for the Supreme, giving up the results to the Supreme, in order to avoid being entangled in bad karma or good karma. He goes on to say that doing work in that way is called bhakti, devotional service. Devotional service frees a person from the cycle of birth and death by connecting him or her to the Supreme. Doing devotional service gives a person spiritual enjoyment. On the basis of the spiritual enjoyment, a person can set aside involvement with thoughts and activities that drag them down.

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Key Concepts

• Like Arjuna, every one of us will be faced with situations that make us confused and depressed at some time in our lives.
• At such times trying to figure out what to do probably won’t work. Turning to a person with spiritual knowledge for help is essential. – link to spiritual.
• We are all spirit souls. A soul is a soul that makes you You!! All souls are eternal, and they never die. Souls can’t be burned, shot, cut, drowned, electrocuted, tasseled, suffocated, or poisoned. Souls do not die because any cancer or any illness.
• The soul is what gives life to the body. It is also what makes you conscious. Without the soul presence the person wonot be aware of anything.
• Our bodies gradually change throughout life but our souls remain the same, constant. Death means we quickly change our material bodies. That is reincarnation.
• The physical body is not you! It is like an outfit , clothing for the soul. The soul is like the person wearing the clothing who stays the same even while going through a number of costume changes.
• No matter what you do, you can’t escape some discomfort and pain. These things are inevitable as long as you have physical bodies. Instead of spending lots of time and energy trying to avoid discomfort, you will be happier if you learn to tolerate a certain amount of inconvenience when it arises. Link to peas story
• Trying to do things for Krishna’s satisfaction while tolerating inconvenience and not becoming caught up with initial successes or failures is the best way to be happy.
• Actions done for Krishna’s pleasure is called bhakti-yoga, also known as devotional service.
• Devotional service frees you from the effects of good and bad karma.
• Bhakti-yoga done regularly gives one a taste for spiritual happiness. Spiritual happiness is infinte..
• When a person begins to realize spiritual happiness, physical desires become less important.

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Important Verses

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