The Gītā-māhātmya

Srila Prabhupada concludes his introduction to the Gītā by quoting the Gītā-māhātmya, highlighting the Gītā as a universal book of knowledge. The message of Krsna is for everyone.

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Srila Prabhupada concludes his introduction to the Bhagavad-gītā by quoting the seven verses of the Gītā-māhātmya.

This highlights the Bhagavad-gītā as a universal book of knowledge, which is important for all kinds of people and not just Vaishnava devotees. Everyone is eternally connected with Krsna, and therefore, the message of Krsna is for everyone.

There are two Gītā-māhātmyas. One is a long passage from the Pādma Purāṇa, which praises the Bhagavad-gītā by narrating several stories that illustrate the spiritual significance of each of the chapters. The passage related to the 4th chapter, for example, describes the story of two celestial girls who were cursed by trying to seduce a sage and were saved by Bhārata, who recited the 4th chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā near them.

However, the verses Prabhupada chose to quote in his introduction are from the other Gītā-māhātmya, which is composed of just seven verses. These verses are attributed to Śankarācārya. Despite being the propounder of the Māyāvāda philosophy, Śankarācārya is in reality Lord Siva, who came with a specific mission. In these seven verses, he reveals the essence of the Bhagavad-gītā, and because they come from him, even impersonalists have to accept them.

Some of the conclusions indicated in these seven verses are:

a) One who recites the Gita with devotion, attains the shelter of Lord Viṣṇu. He becomes free from all miseries and anxieties, and at the end of this life goes back home, back to Godhead.

b) By regularly reading the Bhagavad-gītā, all the previous karma that binds us to this material world is destroyed. This knowledge gradually brings us to the point of surrendering to the Lord.

c) One may become clean externally by bathing in water, but by bathing in the sacred waters of the Gītā, he is cleansed of all dirt of material existence.

d) The Bhagavad-gītā is the essence of all Vedic literature. In this age, people usually don't have time or peace of mind to study the Vedas, but if one just studies the Gita, he can attain all perfection. The Gita is spoken directly by the Lord, and for one who studies the Gita, other books are not necessary.

e) The Gita is like a river that has flown directly from the mouth of the Lord and thus is more powerful than even the water of the Ganges. By drinking this water through devoted study, we become free from the cycle of birth and death and never have to take birth again in this world.

f) The Gita is the essence of the Upaniṣads, personally milked by Krsna. Devotees who are intelligent and fortunate drink this nectarian milk.

g) The Gita is the Supreme scripture, Krsna is the Supreme Lord, his holy names are the supreme mantra, and devotional service to Him is the supreme occupation. This is the unifying principle that can bring peace and prosperity to the world.

Interestingly enough, Śankarācārya emphasizes that by studying the Bhagavad-gītā, one attains the shelter of Lord Viṣṇu (vishnoh padam avapnoti), and that the chanting of the holy names and performance of devotional service to the Lord are the supreme occupation for all. In these verses, he also accepts Krsna as the original Viṣṇu (viṣṇu-vaktrād viniḥsṛtam). By this, Śankarācārya reveals not only the essence of the Gītā but his own inner feeling as a Vaishnava. One who understands these verses will become attracted to study the Gita in the company of devotees and thus attain ultimate perfection.

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