Srimad Bhagavadgita (A Vedanta Text) Upanisads are called Vedanta and the synthesis of its concepts is discussed in 'Brahma Sutra' by the great sage Vedvyas. The knowledge of the fundamental entities, as is propounded in the Upanisads, related to the Absolute (Brahma, Pure Self) is included in Srimad Bhagvadgita (Gita), the dialogue between Lord Srikrsna and the mighty-armed Arjuna. That is why the Gita Text is also called a Vedanta Text. Although from the beginning to the end in the text the Blessed Lord Srikrsna has given the sermons of carrying out one's duty inspired by one's own inborn nature, but to understand the entire teachings of the Lord the study of the complete text is essential. This is a unique text of metaphysics (the science of reality) and ethics (the art of union with the reality) by which, following the scriptural method of listening, analytical reasoning and firm meditation, a person gets spiritual happiness. Many enlightened sages and learned authors have written commentaries on Gita which are very valuable from the point of view of Religion and Philosophy. In the present text, taking help of the few of these, effort is being made to present the subject matter in a different form. Based on personal experience the following five points are taken into consideration. First, a suitable title is given to each Sloka (verse) so that essentials of the subject matter are known in a short time from the contents of the text. Second, looking to the need of a large number of devotees who have no indepth knowledge of Sanskrit and its pronunciation, each Sloka is also given in the roman script. Third, the meaning of each Sanskrit word is explained in Hindi in such a way that entire meaning of the Sloka is easily understood and remembered. Fourth, keeping in view the pattern of present education and interest of young students, the meaning of each Sloka is also given in English along with Hindi. Fifth and the last point is about the short explanation of each Sloka. The thoughts of any one tradition in vogue are not fully incorporated but partly taken into consideration, which are essential to understand the in-depth meaning of the teachings and the rest is left to learned reader for his/her interpretations. It is advised to study the known standard texts for detailed explanations.
About the Author: J. L. Bansal is a retired Professor of Mathematics, Dean Faculty of Science and Director Physical Sciences of the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (India). He has held faculty positions earlier in the University of Jodhpur, St. John's College and S.M. College under Agra University and was Principal, University Maharaja's College, Jaipur and President of the Rajasthan Mathematical Society. A DAAD scholar to Max-Planck Institute Gottingen, Germany he earned his Dr. rer. nat. from Georg August University, Gottingen and D.Sc. from University of Jodhpur and is a fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India (F.N.A.Sc.). He has been a visiting scientist to Banasthali Vidyapeeth (University), India, Eotvos Lorand University, Hungry, University of Calgary, Canada and has also visited U.S.A., China. Professor Bansal has also delivered lectures on Vedanta Philosophy and the present book is the outcome of these lectures. He has also authored another book entitled 'Three Upanisads of the Vedanta'.