The Timeless Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
karmany-evadhikaras te ma phaleshu kadachana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango stvakarmani
This famous verse is from the most revered holy scripture of Hinduism called the Bhagavad Gita, the song of God. The Gita is a conversation between Shri Krishna and Arjuna on a battlefield during the Mahabharata War. Arjuna was third among the Pandavas. The Pandavas and Kauravas were cousins who were to fight each other to claim their rightful share of the kingdom.
Arjuna was reluctant to fight his loved ones, believing war only leads to loss. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, he sought Krishna’s guidance, who, as his charioteer, guided Arjuna with the right knowledge.
Krishna reminded Arjuna about his duty as a warrior by answering his questions and explaining to him his true nature. Arjuna’s questions followed by Krishna’s profound answers are recorded in the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagwad Gita was compiled by a great sage Maharishi Veda Vyasa. The book comprises 18 Chapters with a total of 700 verses. In these verses, Shri Krishna instils knowledge about the way of living and attaining God by different paths called Yogs. The major paths mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita are Jnana Yog (Path of Knowledge), Bhakti Yog (Path of Devotion) and Karm Yog (Path of Action).
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Here are some of the significant teachings from the Bhagavad Gita pointing towards the major paths of attaining God.
Know your true self
Krishna says we are more than our body, we are atman, eternal souls. The atman cannot be destroyed; it is eternal and remains forever. The atman takes up different forms remaining unchanged at the core.
Just as water exists as solid, liquid, or gas while remaining essentially the same, similarly, the true essence of every being is the same, despite their different appearance.
Understanding this helps us see each other as equals and divine beings.
2. Doing your duty (Nishkam Karma)
We have control only over our actions and not over their results. Krishna explained to Arjuna that being a warrior, it was his duty to fight for the right, regardless of the outcome.
As students, it is our duty to study hard, play well, respect our teachers and parents, and be kind and helpful to everyone.
Watch this video to learn about Gita's teaching in a rhythmic and fun way.
3. Be calm in all situations
Krishna advises that by staying calm in all situations and detached from the result of our actions we also stay unattached from the happiness and sorrow brought along with the result.
As students, we may sometimes excel in our exams or sports competitions, while other days might not bring the desired results. By keeping Krishna's teachings in mind, we remain happy in every situation of life.
4. Right knowledge leads to the right action
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna emphasized the importance of the right knowledge and the guidance of a true master in understanding the meaning of the right action. Only true knowledge gives us the power to be fully involved in the action yet be totally detached from the results.
If we play a game with a strong desire to win, we might not enjoy it as much. However, when we don’t worry about the result, we can enjoy the game to our heart’s content.
5. Meditation: A way to reach God
Meditation is a practice of withdrawing the mind from distractions and focusing on God. Krishna highlights meditation as a way to experience God within us.
Meditation benefits students as it helps them control their thoughts and reach their goals with clarity and calmness.
To get a deeper understanding on these concepts read our books.
6. Devotion (Bhakti): Love for God
As per the Bhagavad Gita devotion or bhakti is one of the paths to reaching God. True devotees live to unite with God, expressing their love through their actions and seeing the divine in all beings.
Having faith in God gives us the strength to face life's challenges and do our duties with honesty and determination.
Conclusion
After receiving this divine knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita from Shri Krishna, Arjuna overcame his fears and gained the wisdom and strength to fulfil his duty and stand for righteousness.
The Gita's timeless wisdom is relevant to everyone, teaching us to live meaningful and purposeful lives. The Bhagavad Gita is a light that clears all the darkness of the mind and helps to see the divinity within.
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