The Lord says that the purpose of all Vedic instruction is to achieve the highest goal of life: back to Godhead. Any scripture of any country, not only of this Bhagavad-gītā, but any scripture, they are aiming simply how to get us back to Godhead. That is the purpose.
Take for any ex . . . take for example any of the great religious reformer or ācāryas of any country. In your country, Lord Jesus Christ or Lord Buddha. Of course, Lord Buddha, he advented himself in India, but later on his philosophy was broadcast all over Asia.
Then Lord Kṛṣṇa or Hazrat Muhammad—anyone take. Nobody will say that, "You make your best plan in this material world and live peacefully." That is a common factor. There may be little difference according to country, climate and situation in the scriptural injunction, but the main principle—that we are not meant for this material world; we have our destination in the spiritual world—that is accepted by everyone. Therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa says:
- vedeṣu yajñeṣu tapaḥsu caiva
- dāneṣu yat puṇya-phalaṁ pradiṣṭam
- atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā
- yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti cādyam
- (BG 8.28)
Ah, the yogī, the transcendentalist, his chief aim of life is how to get into the spiritual kingdom. That is the highest ambition of the yogī, or the transcendentalist.
Now we begin the Ninth Chapter. We have finished the Eighth Chapter. We are beginning Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā. Śrī bhagavān uvāca. The Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is speaking. Śrī Bhagavān. I have several times described what this word bhagavān means. Bhaga means "opulence," and vān means "who possesses."
So bhagavān. There is . . . everything has definition. So in the Vedic scripture we'll find the definition of God. We have got some conception of God, but in the Vedic literature you'll find definite description, what do we mean by "God." That what do we mean by "God" is described in one word: śrī bhagavān. Bhagavān. Bhaga means opulence, and vān means "one who possesses."
So what are the opulences? The opulences are that riches, wealth, and strength and influence and beauty, education, knowledge and renunciation. These are opulences.