Bhagavad Gita quotations - Upanishads quotes

[Guest guest]

Bhagavad Gita quotations

Upanishads quotes

 

The Vedas are the more ancient of the sacred texts recognised within

the Vedic / Hindu tradition of faith dating from almost three and a

half thousand years ago. Another series of Holy writings, the

Upanishads, a name which suggests "sitting at the feet of the

Teacher" are often more philosophically and mystically sophisticated

than the Vedas. The earliest of the Upanishads date from some three

thousand years ago. The term Vedanta refers to teachings based

primarily upon the Upanishads. The Bhagavad Gita - the Song of God -

is a celebrated and more recent addition to Hindu holy writings

dating from the second century A.D.

 

* * * * * We believe them to be even more ancient-probably more than

five thousand years old.* * * * *

 

Disdain for Material Things

 

Which is as poison in the beginning, but is like nectar in the end;

that is declared to be "good" pleasure, born from the serenity of

one's own mind. That which is like nectar in the beginning from the

connection of the sense-object with the senses, but is as poison in

the end, is held to be of "passion".

Bhagavad Gita 18:37-38

 

Distrust of Intellect

 

"The wise who knows the Self as bodiless within the bodies, as

unchanging among changing things, as great and omnipresent, does

never grieve". "That self cannot be gained by the Veda, nor by

understanding, nor by much learning. He whom the Self chooses, by him

the Self can be gained. The Self chooses him (his body) as his own".

But he who has not first turned away from his wickedness, who is not

tranquil, and subdued, or whose mind is not at rest, he can never

obtain the Self (even) by knowledge.

Katha Upanishad 1.2.22-24

 

Yearning for Divine Edification

 

Perseverance in (seeking to gain) the knowledge of the Supreme

Spirit, and perception of the gain that comes from knowledge of the

truth: This is called knowledge : all that is contrary to this is

ignorance.

Bhagavad Gita 13:11

 

Charity

 

He that does everything for Me, whose supreme object I am, who

worships Me, being free from attachment and without hatred to any

creature, this man, Arjuna!, comes to Me.

Bhagavad Gita 11:55

 

Purity of Heart

 

Whenever the wavering and unsteadfast heart wanders away, then so

often let him subdue it and bring it back to the control of the soul;

For supreme happiness comes to the Yogin whose heart is at rest, in

whom passion is tranquilised, who is one with Brahma, and free from

sin. The Yogin thus uniting his soul (to Brahma), who has ceased from

sin, enjoys easily the boundless happiness of union (lit. contact)

with Brahma.

Bhagavad Gita 6:26-29

 

(note: Brahma here should be read Brahman)

 

Humility

 

He who hates no single being, is friendly and compassionate, free

from self-regard and vanity, the same in good and evil, patient;

Contented, ever devout, subdued in soul, firm in purpose, fixed on Me

in heart and mind, and who worships Me, is dear to Me.

Bhagavad Gita 12:13-14

 

Meekness

 

He whom the world troubles not, and who troubles not the world, who

is free from the emotions of joy, wrath, and fear, is dear to Me. The

man who is guileless, pure, upright, unconcerned, free from distress

of mind, who renounces every enterprise and worships Me, is dear to

Me. He who has neither delight nor aversion, who neither mourns nor

desires, who renounces good and evil fortune, and worships Me, is

dear to Me. He who is the same to friend and foe, and also in honour

and dishonour, who is the same in cold and heat, pleasure and pain,

who is wholly free from attatchment; To whom praise and blame are

equal, who is silent, content with every fortune, home-renouncing,

steadfast in mind, and worships Me, that man is dear to Me.

Bhagavad Gita 12:15-19

 

Communion with God

 

Devout men (Yogins) who are intent (thereon) see this (spirit)

seated in themselves; but the senseless, whose minds are unformed,

see it not.

Bhagavad Gita15:11?

 

For certain is death for the born

And certain is birth for the dead;

Therefore over the inevitable

Thou shouldst not grieve.

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2

 

On action alone be thy interest,

Never on its fruits.

Let not the fruits of action be thy motive,

Nor be thy attachment to inaction.

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2