Date & Time: Offered as 6 weekly sessions on Mondays, Jan 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15 & 22, 7:00-8:30pm

Hours: 9 hours

Course includes:

• An introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
• An introduction to chapter 4
• An in-depth study of chapter four with the traditional commentary and teaching of Swami Sivananda.
• The last fifteen minutes of each class will be dedicated to questions and answers on the topic studied.

This course is for: 

• People who wish to have a clear and correct understanding of the Bhagavad Gita. It is suitable for people who have never studied the scripture before, as well as for people who are familiar with it.
• Practitioners, teachers and students, who wish to obtain inspiration and make progress with their own practices.

What you will learn:

• The purpose of the Bhagavad Gita and how it is related to our life
• Avatar – the divine incarnation and His purpose
• The secret of action and of inaction
• How all roads lead to the one Truth
• The four castes
• The highest sacrifice
• The bond between Guru and disciple
• Faith and doubt

About the Bhagavad Gita:

The Bhagavad Gita is a dialog between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, which took place about 5,300 years ago on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is a universal gospel that appeals to all, irrespective of age, race, or religion. It has a universality that embraces every aspect of human action and which suits and elevates every stage of human development.

In the middle of a battlefield, Arjuna, the great warrior, finds himself facing a heartbreaking decision. He realizes that he is about to engage in war with his own relatives and friends!  Confusion and despondency reign in his mind. Should he participate in this terrible war? Is it proper to destroy one’s relatives for the sake of the kingdom and some pleasures? Would it not be much better for him to surrender everything to his enemies and retire in peace?

Arjuna expresses to Lord Krishna his wish to refrain from fighting.

With his heart filled with sorrow, Arjuna surrenders himself completely to the Lord, seeking His guidance.

Lord Krishna begins to teach Arjuna and reveals to him during the course of His teaching the most profound, sublime, and soul-stirring spiritual truths.

This teaching was in fact given, through Arjuna, to all of us who like Arjuna, are struggling to be happy and to fully understand the purpose of our life and our own duty.

The battlefield of the Bhagavad Gita symbolizes the ongoing inner battle which every spiritual aspirant faces when trying to become a better person and to evolve on the spiritual path. .

With patience and clarity, Lord Krishna guides us into understanding what life is all about and who we truly are.

Course description:

Chapter four of the Bhagavad Gita gives insight into captivating topics such as the Avatar, the significance of right actions, the Guru, the nature of faith, the consequences of doubt and more. It reveals the importance of disciplines such as non-attachment, contentment, self-control and more. This chapter will help those who study it to have a clearer understanding of life and its purpose and will provide them with inspiration and tools for individual progress.

Course content:

Class 1: The Avatar

• Introduction to chapter four
• Arjuna’s doubt
• Human birth and the birth of the Avatar – how are they different?

Class 2: Self Realization

• Divine incarnation and His purpose
• Taking refuge in the Lord and freedom from attachment, fear and anger
• All paths lead to the same Truth

Class 3: The nature of action

• The Creator of the four castes
• Action and inaction and the difference between them
• How does a sage perform action

Class 4: The sacrifices

• Wisdom sacrifice
• Sacrifice with objects

Class 5: Guru and disciple

• Who is the Guru?
• How should one approach a liberated Guru who has realized the Self?
• Guru and disciple relationship
• Knowledge of the Self – the end of confusion and error

Class 6: The road to freedom

• Knowledge of the Self – the greatest purifier
• What is faith
• How to remove doubt

Additional Information:

This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.

For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.

It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.

Requirements & Recommendations: 

• No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
• Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.
• Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.
• Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device.  For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.
• Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.