The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the song of Lord Krishna comprising of seven hundred verses spread over eighteen chapters. It is a vital holy scripture, not only for the Hindus but for all humanity. Nowhere in the scripture does it contain the word “Hindu”. It has been interpreted and written about by numerous philosophers, academics, and spiritual leaders over the course of time.
Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekanand, Swami Shivanand, Paramhans Yogananda, Sir Henry Thoreau and Professor George Thompson are but a few of the great minds who have written about this great scripture.
The setting is in the middle of a battlefield, Kurukshetra where the cousins – the Kauravas and the Pandavas are about to commence a bloody battle. The verses of the Gita comprise of a dialogue between Lord Shri Krishna and Arjun who became concerned at the prospect of fighting his brothers, cousins, revered elders and Guru.
Lord Shri Krishna, as opposed to Krishna, the son of Devaki and Vasudev, explains to Arjun that this battle is between justice and injustice. It is not merely a battle to win back the lost kingdom of the Pandavas. Note that it is the divinity in Lord K?ishna – a manifestation of the Lord incarnate – that is speaking to Arjun. Nowhere in the Gita does it say – ‘Sri Krsna uvaca’ (Shri Krishna thus spoke). What is mentioned is – ‘Sri Bhagavan uvaca’ (God thus spoke).
Lord Krishna’s key message to Arjun was to stand up and fight against injustice. It was wrong for Arjun to contemplate to give up his duties as a warrior and going away to the mountains to meditate. Quietly tolerating injustice is also a sin. One should overcome their fears, personal ego, self- interest and act for the benefit of family, community and humanity at large.
Lord Shri Krishna explains dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness), bhakti (devotion) and karma (duty). He goes on to explain that those who are overcome by ego, pride, selfishness and anger will knowingly and repeatedly commit sins. He talks about the inter-linkages between the paths of bhakti (devotion), karma (duty) and gyan (knowledge). He speaks as that heightened consciousness from where the world is perceived as one family. Finally, he urges Arjun to do his duty, rise against injustice and set an example for the welfare of the entire human race.
What is most important is to overcome our selfishness, greed and false ego. We came into this world empty handed and we shall depart empty handed. So why the greed, selfishness and ego?
Remember, if someone shares their grief with you, their sense of pain will reduce because you cared to listen and show compassion. However, if you share your joy and happiness with someone else it does not reduce the joy. To the contrary your joy will be multiplied. So with your family, friends and community share others’ grief to help reduce it and spread your joys.
Every person including your enemy is a soul of God. Behave with others how you would like them to behave with you. A violent man would never want others to be violent to him. A liar will expect others to speak the truth to him.
Accept that not everyone will behave as per your wishes and not every situation will occur as per your desires. It is also not necessary that everyone will be polite, nice and helpful. So you must do three things:
- Be aware: use common sense to ensure that people use you, not misuse you.
- Be simple: don’t be a simpleton! Don’t hang on to false pride. Be simple, warm and caring and you will build a circle of caring friends.
- Be natural: If you are natural and pure like innocent children you will not be weighed down by the burden of keeping false pretense.
Hence, do unto others what you want others to do to you. Bring peace into your life by living as per the principles set out in the Gita.
References:
- Jigyasa – Quest from the Inner Self, Volume 1, Pages 30-31, 35-36, 52-54, 59-60, Pujya Shri Rameshbhai Oza.
- Jeevan Sangeet (Hindi), Shyam Sandhya Shrinkhla (1), “Dusro ka Dukh Bantiye”, page 18, Pujya Shri Rameshbhai Oza.
- Life a Celebration – Excerpts by Pujya Shri Rameshbhai Oza, “Gita: a Truly Universal Scripture”, pages 19-22.