Essence

The Bhagwad Gita

Essence

Sanjay Mehta

Bhagwad Gita is a well-known Hindu spiritual text.  It is universally accepted, not just for its sanctity, but also as a guide in our day-to-day lives.  It is essentially “a handbook of life.”  Life messages from the Bhagwad Gita, such as “For the upliftment of the society (lok-sangrah) one should act (perform karma)” are applicable to knowledge seekers of all ages.

The Gita answers all questions that may arise in one’s day-to-day life.  It can help raise self‑confidence (Atma-Vishwas) and strengthen one’s Shraddha (Devotion) in Bhagwan in a very elucidated manner:

• The teachings from Chapter 1 – Vishaad (dejection) to Chapter 18 – Moksha (Free from dejection) is an ascending journey.
• The path to travel to reach the ultimate destination (moksha) is called Bodh (awakening/wisdom)
• Bodh  =  Karma  +  Gyaan  +  Bhakti

A devotee once asked his Guru, “How will I get Bodh by reading the Bhagwad Gita?”  The Guru answered, “You will not get Bodh by simply going through Bhagwad Gita.  You will get Bodh when the Bhagwad Gita goes through you.”  The devotee responded by asking, “And how will Bhagwad Gita go through me?”  The Guru said, “A simple three step process must be performed repeatedly:

1. Shravanam (systematic study/listening from the right resource)
2. Mananam (contemplate and regurgitate the teaching)
3. Niddhyaasanam (internalize/incorporate the teaching).  It is like taking an orderly morning or a walk outdoors and automatically enjoying the result in the form of good health.”

Image Credit
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Krishna_tells_Gita_to_Arjun.jpg