Skip to content

Bhagavad gita Quote by Sri Aurobindo

“The thought of the Gita is not pure Monism although it sees in one unchanging, pure, eternal Self the foundation of all cosmic existence, nor Mayavada although it speaks of the Maya of the three modes of Prakriti omnipresent in the created world; nor is it qualified Monism although it places in…” quote by Sri Aurobindo
Download Open image
““The thought of the Gita is not pure Monism although it sees in one unchanging, pure, eternal Self the foundation of all cosmic existence, nor Mayavada although it speaks of the Maya of the three modes of Prakriti omnipresent in the created world; nor is it qualified Monism although it places in the One his eternal supreme Prakriti manifested in the form of the Jiva and lays most stress on dwelling in God rather than dissolution as the supreme state of spiritual consciousness; nor is it Sankhya although it explains the created world by the double principle of Purusha and Prakriti; nor is it Vaishnava Theism although it presents to us Krishna, who is the Avatara of Vishnu according to the Puranas, as the supreme Deity and allows no essential difference nor any actual superiority of the status of the indefinable relationless Brahman over that of this Lord of beings who is the Master of the universe and the Friend of all creatures. Like the earlier spiritual synthesis of the Upanishads this later synthesis at once spiritual and intellectual avoids naturally every such rigid determination as would injure its universal comprehensiveness. Its aim is precisely the opposite to that of the polemist commentators who found this Scripture established as one of the three highest Vedantic authorities and attempted to turn it into a weapon of offence and defence against other schools and systems. The Gita is not a weapon for dialectical warfare; it is a gate opening on the whole world of spiritual truth and experience and the view it gives us embraces all the provinces of that supreme region. It maps out, but it does not cut up or build walls or hedges to confine our vision.””

Sri Aurobindo

About This Quote

Source Book: The Bhagavad Gita (Commentary) by Sri Aurobindo, 1955

The Gita transcends sectarian labels, presenting a universal spiritual synthesis that embraces all paths without rigid classification.

In simple terms: The Gita is a universal guide, not limited to any single doctrine.

Key Takeaway

Seek the inclusive truth beyond narrow labels.

Themes

spirituality universality interfaith philosophy integration

Mood

contemplative inspired thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational educational

When to use this quote

  • personal meditation
  • interfaith dialogue
  • academic study of religion
  • spiritual counseling
  • cross‑cultural education

Key Concepts

Vedanta nondualism synthetic philosophy holistic spirituality

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can one apply this inclusive vision in daily practice?
  • What limits arise when avoiding specific doctrinal commitments?
A Different Perspective

Its broad synthesis may be too abstract for practitioners seeking concrete rituals.

2.5 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Sri Aurobindo

Explore all 264 Sri Aurobindo quotes

More Bhagavad gita quotes

Browse all 19 Bhagavad gita quotes