Day 2

All the 18 Parvas of the Mahabharatha are summarised in of 18 Adhyayas (Chapters) of Bhagavadgeeta  in such a manner that each Parva is co-related (Samanvaya) to its corresponding Adhyaya.

The entire 18 chapters of Geeta are divided into three 'Shatkaas" i.e., 6 Chapters under each Shatka :-

1st SHATKA:-The first set of 6 chapters describe the importance of duty prescribed to each one of us, that is - Vihita Karmanushtana or Kartavya meaning which is the essential element for gaining the required "knowledge"i.e., "Jnana"

Here "JNANA" means Paramarthika or Tatva Jnana- the  quest or desire in finding out the significance of our existence in this mankind and how each one of us is controlled by an unseen and the ever Supreme Power.  We are maneuvered according to our "karma" i.e., the credentials of each one of us in various births in the past. This Supreme power in whatever name one choses to refer Him, according to his present religion or faith, wields complete and unqualified control over every soul on this universe but is not controlled by anyone. By being within us all the time He inspires and provokes us ( Prerana) to carry on with our Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Dhyana Yoga as well as Bhakti Yoga without an iota of his involvement or expectations of any kind from his devotees, except of course unblemished Bhakti, and dedication (Shraddhe). While Nirvutta karmanushtana (performing our kartavya without expecting its outcome-“Phalapeksha” ) is the external support (bahiranga sadhana) for Jnana Yoga, Dhyana Yoga is the internal support (Antaranga sadhana).

Shri.Madhvacharya describes this as...."Sarva karta Na kriyathe tam Namami Ramapatim" and when we pray Him, He grants us our needs and wishes......"Asmad Ishtaika Karyyaya Purnaya Haraye Namaha"----(Dwadasha Stotra- Stotra-2, Slokas 5 and 9 ).

2nd SHATKA:- The second set of 6 chapters of the Geeta narrate the importance and definition of Bhakti-" The Devotion" and various stages and forms of gaining  "The Knowledge" - The JNANA, and the essential characteristics and ingredients require to be inculcated in us in order to attain the both.

3rd SHATKA:- The third and the last 6 chapters are nothing but the narration, reiteration and more detailed explanation of whatever has been said in the previous  TWO SHATKAS  - comprising the 12 Chapters.  The Significant aspect is that the last Chapter-the 18th- the Sanyasa Yoga, comprising 78 slokas, is the summary and embodiment of the entire Bhagavad Geeta.

The fight in the war is not only between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. It is in essence the fight between the Dharma and the Adharma, the Good and the Bad. The Lord Krishna's address to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra (called the "Dharma Kshetre"... in the first Sloka) is only a "pretext" to select such an unusual platform and situation to address him. Arjuna is none other than the Indra – the  Trailokyadhipati. Obviously, he did not require such a detailed upadesha of Upanishats and "Brahma Vidya".  Therefore, Indra, as one among several "JEEVAS", has represented EACH one of us to putforth on each of every tenet of our life and existence in this unique universe.

This method of 'Dharmopadesha' to Arjuna by the Lord Krishna also indicates strongly the necessity of repetition and reiteration particularly in the field of gain of Vedic/Divine Knowledge, as several doubts enter the minds of a human being regarding its mandatory character and its instant usefulness in our day to day life. As it is the general  human tendency to expect or demand the payment for whatever is our Labour - "Kamya Phala", Lord Krishna has deliberately resorted to such a detailed narration in the last 6 chapters ( and more so the 18th), so that His unprecedented advice remains firm indelible and strong in his “Bhaktaas”- and of course Arjuna is one such devotee who cleared all his doubts and performed his bounden Duty- “Vihita Karma Anushtana” as prescribed and ordained to his present status-  A Kshatriya in a Battlefield.