Consciousness in the Work “Bhagavata Gita” and its Development Paths
Rahila Gurbanova
Abstract. The article examines the concept of consciousness in the Bhagavad Gita and its development paths. As a result of the research, the essence of consciousness was determined and the role of consciousness in human spiritual development was analyzed. Human consciousness is analyzed as either open or closed according to various spiritual and philosophical views, depending on certain situations. The article shows that open consciousness is related to a person's recognition of himself as Atman, and his awareness of the natural, eternal, pure self. When a person associates himself only with the material body and at the same time with personal interests, consciousness becomes closed. This causes a person to see himself as a being separated from other people and the world. In this case, consciousness becomes dependent on the material world and feelings. Here, consciousness is presented as the main condition for realizing a person's true self. It is emphasized that purification of consciousness is possible through yoga and meditation. The work characterizes karma yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga as development paths that ensure human spiritual perfection. The article states that bhakti yoga is love and affection, karma yoga is action and service, and jnana yoga is knowledge and awareness, which help a person develop consciousness, purify his connections with the material world, realize his true self, and become free from ego and material influences. At the same time, it is shown that the development of consciousness allows a person to be free from material attachments, achieve inner harmony, and approach the supreme truth.
Keywords: consciousness, spiritual development, tranquility, inner peace, harmony, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga