In this class (Class 30, to be held on Sunday, September 15th at 9:30 am PST), we will discuss Chapter 14 of Sri Aurobindo's Essays on the Gita, entitled "The Principle of Divine Works" (pp. 134–144), which is based on verses 3.20–43 and 4.5–4.14 of the Bhagavad Gita.
Study Questions:
1. On p. 135 of Essays on the Gita, Sri Aurobindo observes that the person who has realized the Purushottama sees the world not as a "prison-house" but as "an opulent kingdom, rājyam samṛddham." What does he mean by this? Can you think of any teachings of Sri Ramakrishna's that might help illuminate this idea?
2. On p. 136, Sri Aurobindo says that verses 3.20–26 should not be interpreted as merely "a philosophical and religious justification of social service...." What does he mean by "social service" here? What's wrong with this kind of social service?
3. Keeping in mind Sri Aurobindo's interpretation of verses 3.20–26, please explain how we can engage in social service on a truly spiritual basis. Please also give one or two concrete examples of spiritually-grounded social service.
4. Do you have any questions about the reading? Did you have difficulty understanding anything? Do you have any doubts or confusions?