What is there in Bhagvad Gita?
Jaydeep Parmar
Linkedin Top Voice | Chief Manager- Strategic Initiatives at MCPI?Private Limited | Angel Investor | Train The Trainer certified | 3.5 lacs+ content impressions | Ex-Exide | Ex-HPCL | Ex-IOCL | IIM Calcutta | ICT Mumbai
Have you ever wondered what is in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the ancient but evergreen Vedic text of Sanatan Dharma? Does it cover what we are looking for in life? Are those concepts useful for us? Why should we consider it a life manual? Who was the speaker and author of this holy book? Is it applicable to the current context? Is there any guarantee that if I read it, I will benefit? All these questions remain unanswered unless we read it. Let's understand the core elements of this timeless wisdom.
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a science given by Lord Krishna himself. It has emanated from his mouth and hence has great significance for mankind. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the original creator, maintainer, and destroyer of the unlimited universes and the whole creation. Who can deny the guarantee when the manufacturer of living beings (we are part and parcel of the Supreme God) himself speaks for our benefit? There is no doubt. Also, various rishis, scholars, and spiritual saints like Narad Muni, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, and Shankaracharya have prescribed that we worship Lord Krishna and follow the path of Vaishnavism in its true sense. There are various kinds of scriptures or literature that are applicable for different times. However, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a Vedic text that is evergreen and never perishable. It does not lose its shine despite the influence of time. Hence, we can relish it whenever we read and apply it in our lives.
What is in it that is useful for all mankind? This question is quite obvious. Unlike books published in this world that are applicable to a small fraction of society and suitable for maybe 10 years, 20 years, or 1000 years, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is suitable for all age groups and all people of this world. The only price we need to pay is sincerity and faith in the Supreme Lord and His words. To condense and explain the outline, Lord Krishna has emphasized the core five elements of the book. There are various other concepts and instructions mentioned in this book. However, if we carefully read it, all boils down to these fantastic five elements. Let's try to understand and correlate them with practical application.
Ishvara (God or Supreme Controller): This word is quite famous in the Sanatan Dharma texts. There are various names of God mentioned. However, this word means controller. We, as living entities, are also controllers. But we can only control in minute quantities or at a minute level. The ultimate and supreme controller is Lord Krishna, who by mere breathing in and breathing out annihilates and creates millions and billions of universes. Such is the magnanimity of His immense power and strength. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita explains the nature, likings, and many other aspects of Lord Krishna in short.
Jiva (a living entity): Everyone in this material world, including human beings, plants, animals, insects, bacteria, and viruses, can be called living entities. Plants have life. The irony is that this was proven a few years back, but Vedic scriptures mention this fact at various places when 84 lakh types of species are explained. The Jiva, their true happiness, nature, destinations, and various other aspects are explained in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. By knowing and understanding it, we can set the real goal of life, which is unique, applicable for all, and the highest.
Prakriti (material nature): There are three modes of material nature explained in detail in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Satva (mode of goodness), Rajas (mode of passion), and Tamas (mode of ignorance). These three modes drive this material world and force living entities (spirit souls) to assume various bodies. The Prakriti is a manifestation of the Supreme Lord because of our desire to enjoy separately from Lord Krishna. It is both a punishment and an opportunity for us to redirect our love and desires toward Lord Krishna. If we serve Lord Krishna, we automatically serve humanity (as we water the roots of the plant to nourish the whole plant).
Kāla (eternal time): It is the duration of existence of the whole universe or the manifestation of material nature. It is eternal in the sense that it was always there, it is there, and it will remain there in the future too. If one boasts of being immortal in this world, it is a sheer false statement. No one can be immortal with the material body since this material world itself is not immortal. The power of eternal time destroys everything from time to time. But Lord Krishna and His spiritual kingdom are unaffected by the power of eternal time. Such is the glory of His eternal abode where all liberated living entities are ever youthful in the service of the Lord.
Karma (activity ): By a combination of the three modes of nature and under the control and purview of eternal time, there are activities called karma. These activities are being carried out from time immemorial, and we are suffering or enjoying the fruits of our activities. If we do good karma, we get good results, and if we do bad karma, we get sufferings or pain. The important point to note here is that good and bad karma do not nullify. One cannot get away from bad reactions due to bad karma even if one has done many good karmas. This is called the law of karma. However, to get out of this cycle of birth and death, Lord Krishna has given a formula to make the balance of good as well as bad karma zero and get liberation (mukti). In fact, He has given and prescribed a much better way to go beyond liberation and engage ourselves in the eternal loving devotional service to Him (Lord Krishna), which gives ultimate ever-increasing happiness (bliss).
If you read this book, you will get the purpose of life. It is for sure. What are you waiting for then?
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Stay tuned for more such articles. We will try to understand more such aspects of life.
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