In this class (Class 34, on Sunday, November 17th at 9:30 am PST), we discuss verses 4.1–4.8 of the Gita and chapter 15 of Sri Aurobindo's Essays on the Gita, entitled "The Possibility and Purpose of Avatarhood" (pp. 145–157).
Study Questions
1. In 4.1-3 of the Gita, what is the nature of the "Yoga" taught by Lord Krishna? What kind of "Yoga" is it?
2. Regarding verses 4.7-8, Sri Aurobindo writes: "[T]he upholding of the Dharma is not an all-sufficient object in itself, not the supreme possible aim for the manifestation of a Christ, a Krishna, a Buddha, but is only the general condition of a higher aim and a more supreme and divine utility" (148). What does he mean by this? And what, according to Sri Aurobindo, is the supreme purpose of the Avatara, if it is not the upholding of dharma?
3. Do you have any questions about the reading? Did you have difficulty understanding anything? Do you have any doubts or confusions?