10 Timeless Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita Every Modern Teacher and Leader Must Embrace – A Tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on Teachers' Day

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• On the occasion of Teachers' Day in India, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of independent India and a revered philosopher. The?Bhagavad Gita, which Radhakrishnan extensively commented on, offers timeless lessons on teaching and learning. These lessons are as relevant to today’s classrooms and organizations as they were to ancient India. Let’s explore 10 pivotal slokas from the?Gita?that emphasize the sacred relationship between teaching, learning, and leadership, and how they can inspire modern educators and corporate leaders.

In Dr. Radhakrishnan's view, the role of education is not just the transmission of knowledge but the cultivation of wisdom that shapes character and promotes ethical action. His commentary on the?Bhagavad Gita?beautifully aligns with this perspective, particularly as we consider how the text can guide us in our personal and professional growth.

Here, we explore 10 key slokas from the?Bhagavad Gita?that offer profound insights into the art of teaching, coaching, leadership, and personal development.

Key Teachings from the?Bhagavad Gita

1. Continuous Learning and Humility (Gita – 4.34)

Tad viddhi pranipātena paripra?nena sevayā |

Upadek?hyanti te j?āna? j?āninas tattva-dar?hina? ||

"Learn the truth by approaching a wise teacher with humility and service. Inquire from them with reverence; the wise ones who have realized the truth will impart that knowledge to you."

Dr. Radhakrishnan often remarked that real learning begins with humility. The student must approach the teacher with a spirit of reverence and open-mindedness. This sloka highlights the teacher's role as a guide and the student's responsibility to seek knowledge with devotion. In modern organizations, this concept parallels mentorship, where humility in seeking guidance can foster deep learning and growth.

Right perspective arises from humility and the ability to learn from every source. Teachers and leaders must constantly strive for growth, learning as much from their students as they impart.

How humble are you? How open are you to learning from anybody and everybody?

2.?Faith and Insight (Gita 4.39)

?hraddhāvān labhate j?āna? tat-para? sa?yatendriya? |

J?āna? labdhvā parā? ?hāntim achire?ādhigachchhati ||?

"A person of faith, who is devoted to wisdom and has control over the senses, achieves insight. Having obtained this realization, such a person quickly attains supreme peace."

In this verse,?j?āna?is not simply knowledge in the intellectual sense, but wisdom—a deeper, experiential understanding of truth. Dr. Radhakrishnan emphasized that real education does not just fill the mind with facts, but opens the heart to deeper truths about the self and the world. Faith and discipline allow the learner to transcend mere book knowledge and attain?j?āna—the perspective that leads to peace and fulfillment. For leaders today, this means focusing on cultivating right perspective through experience, self-discipline, and faith in the learning process.

Where are you paying attention to? Do you have self discipline and a growth mindset?

3. The Power of Wisdom over Action (Gita 4.33)

?hreyān dravya-mayād yaj?āj j?āna-yaj?a? parantapa |

Sarvam karmākhila? pārtha j?āne parisamāpyate ||

"The sacrifice of your perspective (j?āna-yaj?a?) is superior to any material sacrifice, O Partha; for all actions culminate in wisdom."

In today’s world, both educators and corporate leaders often focus heavily on technical skills or competencies in achieving tangible results. However, the?Gita?reminds us that perspective (j?ānam), born from deep insight, is more valuable than material outcomes. In education, this translates to fostering critical thinking and self-awareness in students rather than merely pushing for grades. For corporate leaders, this means encouraging strategic thinking, self-reflection, and ethical decision-making over short-term profits. True success is achieved when individuals understand the purpose and meaning behind their actions.

Are you willing to let go of your point of view to learn?

4.?The Responsibility of the Teacher (Gita 3.21)

Yad yad ācharati ?hre?h?has tat tad evetaro jana? |

Sa yat pramā?a? kurute lokas tad anuvartate ||

"Whatever a great person does, others follow. Whatever standard they set, the world follows."

Teachers and leaders serve as role models. Their behavior, values, and approach set the standard for others to follow. In an educational setting, a teacher who models curiosity, empathy, and perseverance inspires students to adopt these qualities. In corporate leadership, this principle is vital. Leaders who exemplify ethical behavior and integrity set a culture where employees follow suit. This is particularly relevant in an era where what people say and what they do seems to be disconnected.

How aligned are your thoughts, words and actions?

5. Follow the Process without Attachment to Results (Gita 2.47)

?Karma?y-evādhikāras te mā phale?hu kadāchana |

Mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te sa?go 'stvakarma?i ||

?"You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions. Do not be attached to the fruits of your work, nor to inaction."

In today’s performance-driven environments, both educators and leaders often feel pressured to deliver results. However, the Gita reminds us that the focus should be on effort and process, not just outcomes because there are many factors beyond what we do affect results. Teachers should encourage students to learn to learn and learn to think, not just to score high marks. Long after you forget the subject, the learning process continues to guide you. Leaders should remain committed to long-term vision and values, even when immediate outcomes seem elusive. Focusing on process over results leads to more sustainable growth and resilience in organizations.

Do you understand essence of this message?

6.?Humility in Learning (Gita 4.34)

Tad viddhi pranipātena paripra?nena sevayā |

Upadek?hyanti te j?āna? j?āninas tattva-dar?hina? ||

?"Learn the truth by approaching a wise teacher with humility and service. Inquire from them with reverence; the wise ones who have realized the truth will impart that knowledge to you."

?Dr. Radhakrishnan often remarked that real learning begins with humility. The student must approach the teacher with a spirit of reverence and open-mindedness.?A true teacher is not just an instructor but a guide who imparts wisdom through personal experience. The relationship between teacher and student is sacred, built on respect and genuine inquiry. In modern organizations, this concept parallels coaching and mentorship, where humility in seeking guidance can foster deep learning and growth.

?Are you genuinely interested in learning? Are you humble?

?7.?Self-Mastery (Gita 6.5)

?Uddhared ātmanātmāna? nātmānam avasādayet |

ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmana? ||

?"One must elevate oneself through the mind, not degrade it. The mind is both a friend and an enemy depending on how it is controlled."

Self-mastery is crucial in both personal development and leadership. In education, teachers should encourage students to cultivate self-discipline and mental resilience. This is especially important in today’s world where distractions abound. For corporate leaders, self-mastery means regulating emotions and impulses in order to make clear and strategic decisions. It’s about harnessing the power of the mind to be an ally in achieving one’s goals, both personally and organizationally.

?Have you tamed your self-critic? Is your mind your friend?

?8. Equanimity in Success and Failure (Gita 2.48)

?Yoga-stha? kuru karmā?i sa?ga? tyaktvā dhana?jaya |

Siddhy-asiddhyo? samo bhūtvā samatva? yoga uchyate ||

?"Be steadfast in the performance of your duty, O Dhananjaya, abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity of mind is called yoga."

The Gita’s emphasis on equanimity is a powerful teaching for both educators and leaders. In education, teachers should instill in students the right mindset to handle both successes and failures in life and help them develop emotional resilience. Similarly, in leadership, success and failure are transient. A balanced leader who remains calm in both good and bad times sets an example for the organization. This helps build resilience in teams, fostering a culture where learning from failure is valued as much as celebrating success.

?What is the state of mind from which you act? How balanced are you in success and failure?

?9. Unity in Diversity (Gita 6.29)

?Sarva-bhūta-stham ātmāna? sarva-bhūtāni chātmani |

Ik?hate yoga-yuktātmā sarvatra sama-dar?hana? ||

?"The one who sees the self in all beings and all beings in the self has a unified vision."

For educators and leaders, this sloka underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion. In education, fostering a classroom environment where all students, regardless of background, are seen and valued equally is vital. In leadership, this translates to recognizing the strengths of diverse teams and unifying them toward a common goal. True leaders understand the interconnectedness of people and see diversity as a source of strength.

?How about you? Do you think DEI policies are promoting wrong people?

?10.?Self-Realization Through Knowledge (Gita 6.29)

?Sarva-bhūta-stham ātmānam sarva-bhūtāni chātmani |

Ik?hate yoga-yuktātmā sarvatra sama-dar?hana? ||

?"The yogi who is established in unity sees the Self present in all beings and all beings in the Self; such a person sees the world as interconnected and has holistic vision."

?Radhakrishnan frequently stressed the idea of self-realization as the goal of education. This verse illustrates that the ultimate learning is the recognition of interconnectedness, which is essential for both personal and organizational growth. In the corporate world, this equates to fostering an inclusive culture that values the collective over the individual.

?Do you have clarity about who you are and what your purpose in life is?

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: A Legacy of Wisdom

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan saw education as the most powerful tool for personal transformation and societal progress. His deep respect for the?Bhagavad Gita?influenced his approach to learning and teaching. He believed that the essence of education lies not in the accumulation of information but in the awakening of wisdom and ethical clarity within individuals. In this sense, every educator is a torchbearer of timeless values, guiding students toward not just knowledge, but deeper understanding and purpose.

On this Teachers' Day, as we honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, we reflect on the timeless wisdom of the?Bhagavad Gita. The lessons from this sacred text offer not only spiritual guidance but also practical wisdom for leaders, educators, and learners alike. By applying these teachings to our lives, we can create a world where knowledge leads to insight, service fosters growth, and wisdom paves the way for personal and collective transformation.

Acknowledgments: I personally benefited from wonderful teachers in my life like Sri Medavaram Subramanya Sastry, Sri Kripakar, Sri P. Nanjundaiah, Dr. Ramesh Narayana, Sri Bala Viswanatha Sarma, Sri Bhimsenachar, Sri BVR Subbarao, Dr. P.T. Rangachari, Dr. SV Subramanyam, Prof. YVGS Murti, Prof. S. V. Pappu, Dr. Ken Anbender and Dr. M.T. Mohan Rao and my heartfelt appreciation for your role in making me who I am. Thank you

How do you apply these lessons in your teaching or leadership roles? Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below!