Essays On The Gita – This is volume 19 in the complete works of Sri Aurobindo. We will soon will be here at the site in its completeness. The first series of this volume, Aurobindos Essays on the Gita, appeared in the monthly review Arya between 1916 and 1918. It was revised by Sri Aurobindo and published as a book in 1922.
The second series appeared in the Arya between August1918 and July 1920. In 1928 Sri Aurobindo brought out an extensively revised edition in book form. For the present edition, the text has been thoroughly checked against all previous editions and against the manuscripts of the revised Arya. Download Essays On The Gita here in full length (607 pages):
Sri Aurobindo VOL 19 Essays On The Gita
The Essence of the Gita – The Path of Integral Yoga
Sri Aurobindo’s Essays on the Gita is not merely an exegesis of the Bhagavad Gita, but a profound exploration of its philosophical essence, framed within the larger vision of Integral Yoga. His writings reveal the Gita as not just a spiritual scripture, but a living guide to the synthesis of action, knowledge, and devotion—a path suited for the evolution of consciousness in modern humanity.
The Gita’s Universal Message
The Bhagavad Gita, as interpreted by Sri Aurobindo, offers a message that transcends time and culture. It presents a vision where the apparent dualities of life—action and inaction, knowledge and ignorance, human and divine—are harmonized within the larger framework of the cosmic order. Sri Aurobindo emphasizes that the Gita does not advocate renunciation of the world, but rather a divine action that is free from egoistic desire. This concept of Nishkama Karma (selfless action) becomes a cornerstone of the integral approach to life.
Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Divine Works
In the path of Karma Yoga, Sri Aurobindo highlights the transformation of human work into a divine activity. The Gita teaches that every action, when performed as an offering to the Divine, becomes a means of spiritual progress. For Sri Aurobindo, this is not limited to religious or ritualistic acts, but extends to all activities of life. The office, the family, the marketplace—each becomes a field of Yoga where one can practice the discipline of selfless action. This approach integrates the spiritual life with the material world, bridging the gap between the sacred and the secular.
Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Knowledge
Sri Aurobindo delves into the Gita’s treatment of Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge, which involves the discernment of the true self from the false, the eternal from the transient. The Gita insists on the necessity of rising beyond the ego and realizing the Self as one with the Universal. Sri Aurobindo interprets this not as a dry intellectual pursuit but as an essential awakening to the divine consciousness within, which he refers to as the psychic being. Through this realization, the seeker attains a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life, leading to a state of unity with the cosmos.
Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Devotion
While knowledge and action are essential, Sri Aurobindo acknowledges the transformative power of Bhakti, the path of devotion. The Gita’s teachings on Bhakti Yoga, as he interprets, are not limited to emotional fervor but encompass a deeper surrender to the Divine Will. It is through Bhakti that the ego is dissolved, and the individual soul merges with the divine consciousness. In Sri Aurobindo’s vision, this devotion is not confined to specific deities or rituals but is a universal aspiration of the soul towards its highest expression.
Integral Yoga: Synthesis of Paths
Sri Aurobindo’s greatest contribution in his essays on the Gita is his concept of Integral Yoga—a synthesis of Karma, Jnana, and Bhakti Yoga. He asserts that these paths are not mutually exclusive but are complementary aspects of a single, comprehensive approach to spiritual realization. The Gita, according to him, advocates for an integral approach where action is infused with knowledge, and both are consecrated by devotion. This synthesis leads to the transformation of the entire being—mind, heart, and body—into an instrument of the Divine.
The Gita in Modern Times
In the context of modernity, Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation of the Gita assumes a new relevance. The challenges of contemporary life—social upheavals, technological advancements, existential crises—demand a spiritual response that is both dynamic and inclusive. The Gita, as presented by Sri Aurobindo, offers such a response by encouraging individuals to engage with the world from a higher consciousness. It is not an escape from life, but an engagement with life from a standpoint of divine consciousness.
The reading of Aurobindo’s works truely elevates us and gives an inner joy and strength.
I always like to read and ponder on words and works of Sri Aurbindo. He has always been source of my Inspiration to groom myself from an individual to a consmic one.
Subhash