Bhagavad-gita begins with Dhrtarashtra’s asking about the battlefield, so Sanjaya answers that Krishna and Arjuna cannot be defeated and “you” have no hope for victory
Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality
aKrishna exhibits opulence of “Renunciation” on battlefield
Krishna’s accepting the post of charioteer for Arjuna
bWhat was predicted about Maharaja Yudhisthira’s life:
Because Krishna and Arjuna were on the side of Yudhisthira, his victory was certain
After victory, his kingdom would flourish more and more because not only was he righteous and pious but also a strict moralist; never spoke a lie to anyone in his life
cArgument — Krishna inciting Arjuna to fight is immoral
Response: Bhagavad-gita is the supreme instruction on morality: i.e. Bg. 9.34 (One must become a devotee of Krishna)
Essence of all religion (Bg. 18.66): Surrender unto Him
All other processes may be purifying and may lead to this process, but the last instruction of “surrender” is the last word in all morality and all religion
dEssence of Chapter 18 and Bhagavad-gita
Path of regulative principles according to social orders and different courses of religion may be confidential path
To realize oneself by philosophical speculation and meditation is more confidential
Surrender unto Krishna is most confidential
eImportant subjects discussed in Bhagavad-gita
Actual truth is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and living entities and material nature are His two energies
Five principle subject matters have been discussed: Isvara, Jiva, Prakriti, Kala and Karma;
Isvara, Jiva, Prakriti and Kala appear to be different superficially, but nothing is different from the Supreme (Isvara)
This is according to Lord Caitanya’s philosophy: “Inconceivable oneness and difference”
Living entities are the marginal energy of Krishna and have a particle of independence
By proper use of that independence one attains his normal condition in the pleasure giving potency
End of chapter 18
Bhagavad Gita Notes 1 Chapter 18 Appendix CHAPTER 18 Appendix Selected Texts extracted from “Surrender unto Me”