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Distinguishing Between Body And Soul Helps Karma-Yoga > Page1
1. Vyaasadev has poured into the Bhagavad Gita the essence of his life. He has written many other long works. The Mahaabhaarata alone contains a hundred or a hundred and twenty-five thousand slokas. In Sanskrit, the very word Vyaasa has acquired the meaning of extensiveness. But, in the Gita, he did not pursue elaboration. As Euclid in his "Elements of Geometry" states propositions and formulates principle, Vyaasadev, in the Gita, gives us the principles useful for living.
In the Bhagavad Gita, there is no long discussion, nothing elaborate. The main reason for this is that everything stated in the Gita is meant to be tested in the life of every man; it is intended to be verified in practice. Only what is necessary for the conduct of life is set down in the Gita. Vyaasa's intention too was only this, and hence he was content with a brief statement of principles. From this contentment we can see for ourselves how great was his faith in truth and self-realization. When a thing is true, there is no need to use any arguments to substantiate it.
2. The main reason why we look constantly to the Gita is that, whenever we need help, we may get it from the Gita. And, indeed, we always do get it. Because the Gita is a science applicable to life, it emphasizes svadharma. If there is one strong support for man's life, it is the performance of svadharma. All the superstructure has to be built on svadharma. The strength of the superstructure depends on the strength of the foundation. It is the performance of svadharma that Gita calls karma.
About Author : Acharya Vinoba Bhave
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