THE ESSENCE OF BHAGAVAD GITA

Bhagavad Gita is the most sacred, holy book of Hindus full of spiritual and intellectual knowledge. Bhagavad Gita is all over the world known for its teachings, given by Lord Krishna to warrior Arjun at the time of Mahabharata in Kurukshetra. When Arjun was confused – whether it is fair to battle with his family members (Dhritarashtra’s sons) just for the sake of the kingdom and to rule Hastinapur and whether the war between Kauravas and Pandavas be fruitful for humanity? There were many such questions and queries in Arjun’s mind .When the battle was about to commence, Arjuna and Krishna(who serves as his charioteer) steer their chariot between the two armies and suddenly all the action is suspended. It is as if time has stopped, like a moment of eternity placed in the midst of time. As his charioteer,Lord Krishna guides Arjuna with his teachings in battlefield only.  This conversation is known as Bhagavad Gita. Lord Sri Krishna summarized the entire Vedic philosophy in these 700 verses of Bhagavad-gita. Though this knowledge is very old, yet, it is very relevant even today.

Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic knowledge and is one of the most important Upanishads in Vedic literature.

Lord Krishna’s conversation with Arjun was in Sanskrit language but to make it understandable in simple language, it was translated in Hindi. Even in many countries Bhagavad Gita has been translated in English and their own language so that it’s teachings can be understood and implemented all over to achieve peace, humanity and MOKSH.

Arjuna tells Lord Krishna that he cannot go to war. He has no desire to fight his own family members . Arjuna concludes that such a battle can only lead to chaos. The term he actually uses is “adharma”. He sees no value in gaining wealth or earthly pleasure if this entails destroying his own family.

"Fear of ruining the family remains a tremendous influence in individual behavior in World today."

The Supreme Lord [Krishna] said: How has the dejection come to you at this juncture? This is not fit for an Aryan (or the people of noble mind and deeds). It is disgraceful, and it does not lead one to heaven.

Do not become a coward,Arjuna, because it does not befit you. Shake off this weakness of your heart and get up (for the battle).

If You will not fight this righteous war,then you will fail in your duty,lose your reputation,and incur sin.

People will talk about your disgrace forever. To the honored, dishonor is worse than death. 

"His inner conflict is a familiar one. It is the dissonance that one feels when competing values clash. The most poignant dilemmas are not those between good and evil, which are relatively easy to solve. The problems in life arise when we must choose between the lesser of two evils, or the greater of two goods."

For Arjuna, the values he must negotiate are to refuse to fight and hence disobey his dharma as a warrior; or to go to war thereby inviting the negative consequences of karma, including family ruins, social chaos.

Arjuna asks Krishna to be his guru and show him the right path.

Krishna says: You grieve for those who are not worthy of grief, and yet speak the words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead.

There was never a time when I, you, or these kings did not exist; nor shall we ever cease to exist in the future.

Just as the Soul acquires a childhood body, a youth body, and an old age body during this life, similarly Soul acquires another body after death. The wise are not deluded by this.

Soul is immortal unlike our body

The Soul is neither born nor does it die at any time, nor having been it will cease to exist again. It is unborn, eternal, permanent, and primeval. The Soul is not destroyed when the body is destroyed

Arjuna pressures further. He is concerned with another matter now: the problem of karma. Perhaps it is true that one cannot kill the soul, but killing the body still is action and all action generates karma. How does one avoid the negative karmic consequences. Arjuna’s was taught that negative karma of any sort cannot bring one to ultimate salvation.

Krishna now responds with another lesson. Krishna says: “It is not possible not to act, But it is possible to act without creating negative karma's consequences. One does this by performing all action without hatred or desire. Be intent on action, not on the results of action. Avoid attraction to the results and attachment to inaction. Perform actions forming discipline, relinquishing attachment. Be impartial to failure and success. These equanimity is called discipline or yoga.”
Krishna maintains that the true effects of karma conform to the will and the heart, not the action itself. Thus, an equanimous disposition frees one from bondage to karma. Krishna says: “Action imprisons the world unless it is done as a sacrifice. Free from attachment, Arjuna, perform action as a sacrifice”.

The discussion continues,Krishna encourages Arjuna to focus his mind, will and heart on God, and to let all else go.Krishna says : “Men who worship me, thinking solely of me, always disciplined; win the reward I secure. The leaf, the fruit, the flower or the flower that he offers with devotion, I take from the man and respond to his devotion. Whatever you do, whatever you take, whatever you offer, whatever penances you perform, do it offering it to me. You will be freed from the bonds of action, from the fruit of fortune and misfortune. Armed with discipline, you will join me.” 

As the teaching started to center more and more on the path of devotion, Arjuna feels his doubt melts away. In a climatic moment he asks Krishna to grant him the ability to see him in his full glory as god. Krishna gives Arjuna a divine vision with which he could see the gods form.

Arjuna witness all the universe in its many ways and parts, standing as one in the body of the gods of god. 

Arjuna is both terrified and fascinated with the sight. What Arjuna sees accents the absolute utterness of divinity. “I see no beginning, or middle or end to you. Only boundless stream in your endless arms. The moon and the sun in your eyes, your mouths of consuming flames. You alone fill the space between heaven and earth. Seeing the many mouths, eyes and your great form, the world trembles, and so do I.”

Fulfilled with amazement, his hair bruising on his flesh, Arjuna bows his head to the god and joins his hands in homage.”

Now Krishna speaks: “I am time grown old, creating world destruction, setting in motion, to annihilate the worlds. Even without you, all these warriors raide in hostile ranks will cease to exist. Therefore, arise and win glory. Conquer your foes and fulfill your kingship. They already are killed by me. Be just my instrument, the archer at my side.”

After this vision Arjuna arises and goes to battle, claiming that his doubts have been dispelled.

The battle commences and Arjuna and his brothers, the pandavas, ultimately win. Significantly, the Gita itself ends before we know the battle’s outcome. The question of who wins and who looses is not the issue in the Gita. Nor does the Gita really solved the problem of war. The two sides are not identified as good or as bad. There is no clear favorites here.

Bhagavad Gita gives a unique way to live our life that eases off our tension and we enjoy a happy life.

Arjuna's problems resembles with most people's problems that goes within the mind and Bhagavad Gita gives a clear answer of each and every dilemma that goes within our minds.

Also read : DOES GOD EXISTS