How Does One Study the Scriptures?

[c.smith]

Hari Om!

If I may humbly suggest the following two books, both by Sri Swami Satchidananda - "The Golden Present" and "The Living Gita". Both of these can be read in small bites though you may not want to put them down. It is sort of a "contagious" way to study both the Bhagavad Gita and a Daily Lessons format type of book. I used them when I was new to SD and still refer to them today.

Another favorite is Eknath Easwaran. Another forum member was generous enough to bring him to memory and I have returned to his work - certainly a classic to many. He has a 3 volume set of commentary on the Bhagavad Gita with stories from his life that reads like silk. I also have a simpler 1 volume addition that I've yet to read but it is in the bin for this week.

And please don't overlook the sage advice offered by other forum members. Often just re-reading something will add a spark that wasn't there before.

All the best to you in your ventures and in your studies!

Om Namah Sivaya
Jai Hanuman!

[jayramas]

Hello,

His divine grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has mentioned that
"For example, the epics or the histories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, which are specifically recommended for the less intelligent classes (women, sudras and unworthy sons of the higher castes), are also accepted as Vedic literature because they are compiled in connection with the activities of the Lord"

"Mahabharata is accepted as the fifth division of the Vedas after its
first four divisions, namely Sama, Yajur, Rg and Atharva. The less
intelligent do not accept Mahabharata as part of the Vedas, but great
sages and authorities accept it as the fifth division of the Vedas.
Bhagavad-gita is also part of the Mahabharata, and it is full of the
Lord's instruction for the less intelligent class of men."

"So Bhagavad-gita, although containing the high philosophy of the Vedic
wisdom, is for the beginners in the transcendental science, and Srimad-
Bhagavatam is for graduates and postgraduates in the transcendental
science. Therefore literatures like Mahabharata, the, puranas and similar
other literatures which are full of the pastimes of the Lord, are all
transcendental literatures, and they should be discussed with full
confidence in the society of great devotees."

"The difficulty is that such literatures, when discussed by professional men, appear to be mundane literature like histories or epics because there are so many historical facts and figures. It is said here, therefore, that such literatures should be discussed in the assembly of devotees. Unless they are discussed by devotees, such literatures cannot be relished by the higher class of men. So the conclusion is that the Lord is not impersonal in the ultimate issue. He is the Supreme Person, and He has His different activities. He is the leader of all living entities, and He descends at His will and by His personal energy to reclaim the fallen souls."