World Religion and Thoughts

HUM 2633: Bhagavad-Gita Reading Assignment:

Instructions

2.) Module #1 Reading Questions (50 points) – Each student is required to complete reading questions associated with the primary source reading assignments in Modules #1. There is a question set for each tradition studied (100 points for each tradition’s set). Students must follow the directions included with the question sets. For full credit, students must submit their assignments by the assignment deadline as properly formatted Word documents. They must answer every question in their own words, AND they must also include a passage from the primary source for each question. Citations must be formatted properly and students must include a works cited entry. Students completing the assignment as directed will receive full credit (100 points); students not fulfilling all requirements OR with complete assignments that are LATE will receive half credit (50 points), and students failing to submit assignments OR with incomplete late assignments will receive no credit (0 points). The late window for submission is within 48 hours after the assignment deadline. After that time, no credit will be given unless documentation sufficient to warrant accommodation can be supplied

Source is located at: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2388/2388-h/2388-h.htm

These questions will help direct students to the most salient elements in the assignment.

Students should review the questions carefully before they attempt the reading and keep them out while completing the reading.

Students should complete question sets using this document. Use the SAVE AS command and rename to mark the file as yours (LASTNAMEHUM2633BGitaQuestions) before submission. Insert answers in spaces after questions.

Students should try to answer each question in their own words.

They should also locate and include a passage from the text that substantiates their answer.

Primary texts are hard reading, and one only gets better at it with practice. It is important to push yourself and work at it. You DO NOT need to understand all of it, even half of it!!!!! I don’t expect that. If you get 10% initially that’s normal. You are not alone. Stick with it! We are just trying to see how the main theories and concepts we discussed are expressed in the original texts of the tradition.

Nothing improves your reading comprehension like reading difficult material and as you acclimate to the different style and vocabulary, you will find it gets easier.

Reading #4: Bhagavad-Gita (chapters I-IX)

1.) What is the setting of the narrative and what atmosphere does situation that create?

2.) Who is the main character and who appears in human form to guide him, becoming the other main character in the narrative?

3.) What problem does the first (the human) main character face? What does he do at the end of chapter one, a significant (potentially immoral) action given his social role?

4.) What does the main character’s guide tell him (chapter III) to ease his concern about killing?

5.) What does the main character’s guide tell him about the seriousness of performing his duty (dharma)?

6.) What does the main character’s guide tell him about death and karma?

7.) What does the main character’s guide tell him about yoga, and the outcome of actions done without selfish motive, but instead out of duty?

8.) What does the main character’s guide tell him about God and what does he suggest is motivating the main character’s inaction?

9.) How does the main character’s guide explain how to avoid accruing karma when acting such that the main character can do his job without fear?

10.) Why does the main character’s guide explain that is better to be master of oneself than master of others (chapter VI)?

11.) What does the main character’s guide declare as the sacred syllable? What does speaking this sound help one achieve?

Reading #5: Bhagavad-Gita (chapters X-XVIII)

12.) Does the argument that the main character’s guide presents in the first half convince the main character to again take up his arms and fight?

13.) What dramatic thing does the main character’s guide do (chapter XI) in order to help move the main character to again embrace his dharma?

14.) What is revealed about the main character’s guide in this scene, and what impact does this revelation have on the main character?

15.) What virtues does the main character’s guide discuss and say are critical to practice?

16.) What is the main character’s guide trying to do for him?

17.) Who does the main character symbolize or represent?

18.) What does the main character’s guide say about doubting God?

19.) What does the main character elect to do in the end?

20.) What does the text suggest we need to do?