Bhagavad Gita is an ancient sacred text that is respected along with the Vedas. Studying it makes it possible to delve into the origins of divine wisdom. Bhagavad Gita is a divine message to humanity, speaking about Truth, knowledge, morality, ethics and karma yoga, giving advice to those in difficult situations, instructing gently and in any circumstances guiding the seeker towards higher values, making any life test a step on the path of spiritual progress .

A sincere seeker will always find advice and reassurance in her, no matter what stage of the search he is at. For the prepared seeker, this is the gateway to the realm of the radiant absolute, where the illusory is seen as illusory, and the true is recognized as true. What is true is gained by understanding, and this understanding becomes accessible through study Bhagavad Gita. Action becomes a means to purify the mind, bringing the seeker closer to liberation from the invisible shackles that bring suffering. Every seeker of spiritual progress finds suitable advice for him and expands his vision, from whatever page of the Bhagavad Gita he begins his journey.

The series of lectures on the study of the Bhagavad Gita on which this book is based began. dedicated to several events: the celebration of Gita Jayanti in December 2015, the centenary of the birth of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati, the teacher of my teachers, and in memory of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who achieved maha-samadhi by leaving his body in September 2015

Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati was born in 1916, and throughout 2016 his centenary was celebrated by numerous branches Chinmaya missions around the world. He founded the jnana yajna tradition in 1951 by giving regular lectures on the deep meaning of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Based on these lectures, books were published systematically explaining the essence of the teaching, and many groups were created to study the Bhagavad Gita.

His work in spreading the light of the teachings of Advaita Vedanta was continued by his disciples. The Chinmaya Mission they founded continues to grow even now, after Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati left his body after achieving mahasamadhi in 1993. In 2016, the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapitha University was founded, where Indian traditions of knowledge and Sanskrit are taught. Both my Gurus, Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Swami Atmananda Saraswati, studied at the feet of Gurudev Swami Chin-mayananda.

Our The study of the Bhagavad Gita continues the centuries-old tradition of Advaita Vedanta, where the teaching is transmitted from teacher to student. This is a sign that the teachings of Advaita Vedanta are immortal. These lectures are blessed by my teacher, Swami Atmananda Saraswati, who will thus be invisibly present.

The original text of the Bhagavad Gita is in Sanskrit. Our lectures provide a translation and a detailed explanation of the meaning of the text in accordance with the tradition of Advaita Vedanta, based on the commentaries of Sri Shankara Acharya, called the Gita Bhashya. This is the first time this has been done in Russian.

The teachings of Advaita Vedanta do not belong to any person, country, era or people; it is of divine origin and has been passed on from teacher to student for many centuries. The teaching becomes clear when deep study under the guidance of a teacher of its fundamental texts - the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras. Om Sri Gurubhyo Namaha - homage to the entire line of teachers who have brought this knowledge to this day!

Studying the Bhagavad Gita with an open heart and with due respect will allow you to question not its words, but your understanding in those places that may seem contradictory or unclear. And this will help progress on the spiritual path. To be effective, study must be consistent, unhurried and persistent.

Good luck! Swamini Vidyananda Saraswati