What We Learn from Bhagavad Gita? Teachings for Modern World

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Teachings: What We Learn from Bhagavad Gita

Introduction

Before going to explore what we learn from Bhagavad Gita, let’s take a quick look at it. The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to simply as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata. It was written approximately 5100 years ago, which corresponds to the 3rd or 4th century BCE.

It is a sacred text of the Hindu religion and consists of a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the God Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita cover a wide range of topics, including duty, morality, and the nature of reality. In this article, we will delve into the deep wisdom that the Bhagavad Gita imparts and how it remains relevant in our modern lives. It was written in the time period, that is, a yuga called the Dwapara yuga ¹, and now we are currently in the yuga called Kali yuga. Two out of the four yugas. (world ages) in a Yuga Cycle. It is not only relevant to that time period in the past but also to the current time period, in the modern world.

Teachings: What We Learn from Bhagavad Gita

We can learn the following effective teachings from the Bhagavad Gita:

1. “What Dharma Really Means: Doing what’s right and fulfilling our responsibilities in life.”

1. “Knowing Our True Self: It’s about understanding who we really are, not just our physical bodies.”

1. “Learning to Let Go: It means not holding on too tightly to things and being able to move forward.”

1. “Paths to Liberation- Yoga and Spiritual Discipline: Different Ways to Find Inner Peace and Spiritual Understanding”

1. “Overcoming Challenges: Facing difficulties with courage and finding opportunities for growth.”

1. “The Impermanence of the Material World: Everything around us is temporary and ever-changing.”

Let’s explore what we learn from the Bhagavad Gita through these effective teachings that play an important role in changing our lives.

1. What Dharma Really Means?

Understanding Duty and Morality

A key focus in the Bhagavad Gita is the principle of Dharma. It is doing the right thing and following our responsibilities (our duties) in life. Arjuna, faced with a moral dilemma on the battlefield, seeks guidance from Lord Krishna. The Gita teaches us that no matter how hard things get, it’s our duty to act in accordance with our principles and values, to do what we believe is right, and to stick to our values, even in the face of adversity.

Chapter 2, Verse 47 of the Bhagavad Gita states, “You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.“

You must not let yourself be swayed by grief and delusion. Understand that your duty as a warrior is to fight for righteousness without attachment to the outcomes. Realize that your actions should be performed selflessly, without any personal desire for success or failure. In Chapter 3, Verse 19, it explains, “Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme.“

Krishna says, you must embrace your dharma, your righteous duty, and fulfill it without attachment. By doing so, you will overcome your inner conflict and find true purpose and fulfillment. Trust in the divine order and surrender your actions to me, for I am the support of all beings.

1. Knowing Our True Self – Self-realization

Let’s talk about something really interesting called ‘The Nature of the Self’. It’s about understanding who we truly are. The Gita introduces the idea of the “Atman”, which is the true self or soul that is distinct from the physical body. It emphasizes that Atman is eternal. It is forever and transcendent, beyond the temporary experiences of the material world—that is, the things we go through in our everyday lives. Understanding this helps us see beyond what’s happening around us and connect with our inner selves, the core of who we are.

Krishna teaches that true self-realization lies in understanding our eternal nature and realizing that our actions should be performed selflessly, without desire for personal gain. By detaching ourselves from the results of our actions and focusing on the fulfillment of our duties, we can attain self-realization and find inner peace.

1. Learning to Let Go

Finding Calmness

Okay, let’s dive into ‘Detachment and Letting Go‘. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna gives Arjuna the advice: Do your duty, but don’t get overly tied up in what happens next.

In Chapter 2, he emphasizes the concept of learning to let go. He advises Arjuna to focus on performing his duties without being attached to the outcomes. He says, “You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions” (Chapter 2.47). By relinquishing attachments, we attain equanimity and peace. He further explains the transient nature of this world and the importance of surrendering our desires and expectations. By learning to let go, we can overcome sorrow, fear, and the cycle of birth and death. “Do your best and let go of worrying about the outcome.” This understanding tells us that it’s good to stay relaxed, whether things go according to our plans or take an unexpected twist.

Lord Krishna reminds us that the ultimate goal is to surrender to Him and become one with the divine.

1. Paths to Liberation- Yoga and Spiritual Discipline

The Bhagavad Gita talks about something really interesting called ‘Yoga’ and how it helps us grow spiritually.

Now, when we say yoga, we’re not just talking about the physical exercises you might have heard of. In the Bhagavad Gita, it means different ways or paths to grow spiritually. There are three main paths or yogas and a fourth one which is an integral part that can lead one to realize the ultimate truth and attain liberation. These paths are:

- Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action (Chapter 3, Verse 9-10)

- Jnana Yoga (pronounced as ‘Jyan’ or ‘Gyan’), the path of knowledge and wisdom (Chapter 4, Verse 38)

- Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion and surrender (Chapter 12, Verse 9)

- Dhyana Yoga, the path of meditation (Chapter 6, Verse 18)

=> Karma Yoga – This is all about doing good things for others without expecting anything in return. It’s like doing selfless acts of kindness. This path helps us grow spiritually by being really selfless and caring.

Through Karma Yoga, one can attain liberation by performing their duties selflessly, without attachment to the results. As Krishna said, “You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions” (Chapter 2, Verse 47).

=> Jnana Yoga – This one is about gaining knowledge and understanding the truth about ourselves and the world around us. Through Jnana Yoga, one can attain liberation by realizing the true nature of the self and discerning between the eternal and the temporary. Through knowledge and wisdom, one can transcend the cycles of birth and death and attain liberation. As Krishna said, “The self is never born nor does it ever die; it is unborn, eternal, and ever-existing” (Chapter 2, Verse 20).

=> Bhakti Yoga – This path is about devotion and love for something greater than ourselves. It could be a god, the universe, or whatever you believe in deeply. It’s like having a strong, loving connection with something bigger, and that helps us grow spiritually. Through Bhakti Yoga, one can attain liberation through pure devotion and surrender to the divine. As Krishna said, “Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and bow down to Me. Thus, merging your whole being with Me, you shall surely come to Me” (Chapter 9, Verse 22).

These three paths are interconnected and complement each other, allowing individuals to choose the path that resonates with them the most. Remember, these paths are not exclusive of each other; they can be practiced simultaneously, with one path often leading to the other. Ultimately, the goal of all these paths is to attain self-realization and unite with the divine.

=> Dhyana Yoga: Dhyana Yoga, or the path of meditation, is often considered as a subset or integral part of the above three main paths. It involves focused meditation and contemplation, aiming for a deeper connection with the divine.

By stilling the mind and withdrawing the senses, one can experience the true nature of the Self. As Krishna states in Gita 6.12: “Being completely freed from all material contamination, controlling the mind and senses, one should meditate on Me within the heart.”

By progressing through these yogas, one can gradually detach from the material world, cultivate devotion and knowledge, and ultimately attain Moksha, that is, liberation from the cycle of birth and death and union with the divine, which is the ultimate goal of every individual.

1. Overcoming Challenges

Navigating Life’s Trials

One thing that is really relatable is Overcoming Challenges, dealing with tough times. Imagine you’re in a tricky situation, just like Arjuna was on that battlefield. Life often throws challenges at us, right? Well, the Bhagavad Gita shows us a great way to handle them. It says that when things get hard, be brave, be smart, and have a clear goal in mind. It’s like having a roadmap when life gets bumpy. And here’s the cool part: when we face tough times, it’s a chance for us to grow and change for the better. So, remember, every challenge is an opportunity for you to become even stronger and more amazing!

Must Read: How can we control our mind according to Bhagavad Gita?

1. The Impermanence of the Material World

Recognizing the Transient Nature of Life

Exploring the deep teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, we come across a significant idea. ‘The Impermanence of the Material World’. In it, Lord Krishna talks about how everything we see around us—all the stuff and things—don’t last forever. It’s like when we blow a bubble; it’s there for a moment, and then it’s gone. Understanding this helps us see life in a broader way. It’s like looking at the world through a different lens. When we realize that things change, we can start to care less about having lots of stuff and focus more on growing inside, becoming better people in our hearts and minds. We can shift our focus from material things to growing and evolving as individuals on a deeper level. It’s like growing a superpower of wisdom and understanding.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, if we take the lessons from the Bhagavad Gita and make them a part of our lives, something wonderful happens. It’s like finding a deeper meaning in what we do, feeling a calmness deep inside, and growing in a way that’s good for our spirit. These lessons aren’t just for one group of people or one religion. They’re like a treasure chest of wisdom that anyone can benefit from. They help us understand life in a really special way. In addition to these teachings, you can find many other solutions to life’s problems that we have to face in our lives. For this, you must study the Bhagavad Gita deeply for better understanding.

You can explore Which is the best Bhagavad Gita book in English for beginners?

For now, I hope you understand what we learn from the Bhagavad Gita through the above teachings.

FAQs

1. Is it necessary to be a Hindu to benefit from the Bhagavad Gita?

No, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are for everyone and can be appreciated by individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. No matter where you come from or what you believe in, they’re like a treasure trove of wisdom that anyone can find value in.

2. How can I apply the concept of Dharma in my everyday life?

Practicing Dharma involves aligning your actions with your values and principles. Living by Dharma means making sure your actions match up with what you believe is right and good. It’s about doing the right thing, even if it’s tough or challenging.

3. What is the significance of the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna?

Think of the dialogue as a story that represents the struggles we all go through inside ourselves, especially when we’re trying to figure out what’s right and wrong. It’s like a map that shows us how to deal with these tough situations and make the best choices.

4. How can I cultivate a sense of detachment in my life?

Learning detachment, letting go means understanding that things around us change all the time. Instead of getting too caught up in that, we should focus on becoming better on the inside, understanding ourselves more deeply, and reaching our true potential.

5. Where can I access a copy of the Bhagavad Gita for further study?

You can find translations and commentaries of the Bhagavad Gita in bookstores, libraries, and online platforms. Additionally, many spiritual centers offer classes and discussions on the Gita’s teachings.