Sankara's Introduction to the Gita

Question 1

What did Sankara say are the two paths of human life?

Answer 1

Pravrtti and Nivrtti

Question 2

Briefly explain pravrtti?

Answer 2

Outword action (like our general worldliness)

Question 3

Briefly explain nivrtti?

Answer 3

Inward contemplation. This gives us a sense of union with our inner divinity thus providing a sense of peace, joy, and wellbeing

Question 4

What is abhyudaya?

Answer 4

Socio-economic welfare

Question 5

What is nihsreyasa?

Answer 5

Spiritual freedom

Question 6

What two words together make the word abhyudaya, and what do they mean individually?

Answer 6

Abhi = together, not alone
Udaya = welfare

Question 7

What four things go together to make up the message of the Gita as a philosophy for total human development?

Answer 7

1. Pravrtti
2. Nivrtti
3. Abhyudaya
4. Nihsreyasa

Question 8

Who did Sankara say the Gita is for?

Answer 8

‘Praninam’ - for all human beings

Question 9

What does Sruti mean?

Answer 9

The Vedas, especially the Upanishad portions, dealing with spiritual beliefs.

Sanatana Dharma and Vedanta are based on Sruti

Question 10

What does smrti deal with?

Answer 10

Specifically, contemporary social rules and regulations. But it can refer to Yuga Dharma - a Dharma for a particular period of history, and/or a particular group.

Question 11

Where there is conflict between sruti and smrti, which has authority?

Answer 11

Sruti