Contents of Book

The Canons of a Perfect Life

Being comprehensive selections from the Bhagavadgita
by Swami Krishnananda

They (the demoniacal) say, "this universe is without truth, without (moral) basis, without a God, brought about by mutual union, with lust for its cause; what else?"
Holding this view, these ruined souls of small intellect and fierce deeds come forth as the enemies of the world for its destruction. (XVI.8-9)
(They say) "That enemy has been slain by me; and others also I shall slay. I am the lord. I enjoy. I am perfect, powerful and happy." (XVI.14)
Given over to egoism, power, haughtiness, lust and anger, these malicious people hate Me in their own bodies and those of others. (XVI.18)

Triple is this gate to hell, destructive of the self - lust, anger and greed; therefore one should abandon these three propensities. (XVI.21)

The foods which increase life, purity, strength, health, joy and cheerfulness, which are savoury and oleaginous, substantial and agreeable, are dear to the Sattvic (pure) people.
The foods that are bitter, sour, saline, excessively hot, pungent, dry and burning, are liked by the Rajasic and are productive of pain, grief and disease.
That which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuse and impure, is the food liked by the Tamasic. (XVII.8-10)

Worship of the gods, the twice-born, the teachers and the wise, purity, straightforwardness, celibacy and non-injury are called the austerity of the body.
Speech which causes no excitement, truthfulness, pleasant and beneficial, the practice of study of the Vedas, are called the austerity of speech.
Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, silence, self-control, purity of nature are called mental austerity. (XVII.14-16)

Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; sacrifice, gift and also austerity are the purifiers of the wise. (XVIII.5)

He who abandons action on account of the fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by doing such Rajasic renunciation. (XV1II.8)

The seat of action (body), the doer, the various senses, the different functions of various kinds, and the presiding deity as the fifth (are the causative factors of all action).
Whatever action a man performs with his body, speech and mind-whether right or the reverse, these five are its causes.
Now, such being the case, verily he who, owing to untrained understanding, looks upon his self alone as the agent - he of perverted intelligence, sees not (the truth). (XVIII.14-16)

That by which one sees the one indestructible Reality in all beings, not separate even in all the separate beings - know thou that knowledge to be Sattvika (pure).
But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as different from one another - know thou that knowledge to be Rajasika.
But that which clings to one single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without foundation in Truth, and trivial- that (understanding) is declared to be Tamasika. (XVIII20-22)

That which is like poison at first but in the end like nectar - that happiness is declared to be Sattivaka, born of the purity of one's own mind due to Self-realisation.
That happiness which arises from the contact of the sense-organs with the objects, which is at first like nectar, and in the end like poison - that is declared to be Rajasika.
That happiness which at first as well as in the sequel deludes the self, and which arises from sleep, indolence and heedlessness - that is declared to be Tamasika. (XVIII.37-39)

He from whom all the beings have evolved and by whom all this is pervaded - worshipping Him with one's own duty, one attains perfection. (XVIII.46)

Abandoning all duties, take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate thee from all sins; grieve not. (XVIII.66)

Where is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga; where is Arjuna, the wielder of the bow, (acting together in harmony); there shall be prosperity, victory, happiness and firm polity; this is my conviction. (XVIII.78)