Hinduism

From Myth to Reality

Absorbing The Essence of Bhagavad Gita in Our Lives

What if you were handed a handbook, a manual of life, an anthology of wisdom that could navigate you through the murky waters of your existential crises? A beacon of knowledge that lays bare the core principles of human existence, illustrating the path from the labyrinth of confusion to the enlightenment of wisdom? The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture, serves as this very beacon.

Chapter 1 is our starting point, asserting that 'Wrong thinking is the only problem in life'. Isn't it often our skewed perceptions that breed misunderstandings, fostering conflicts? The choice to view a glass as half-empty or half-full is ours.

Chapter 2 extends this thought, offering 'Right knowledge as the ultimate solution to our problems'. Just as a proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, correct understanding resolves life's conundrums. Suppose you're lost in a forest. Isn't a compass and a map more valuable than a sack of gold?

Chapter 3 and 4 introduce the concepts of selflessness and sanctity in actions. Ever noticed how volunteer work leaves you with an overwhelming sense of contentment? That's because 'Selflessness is the way to progress and prosperity'. Moreover, viewing every act as a prayer injects it with reverence and mindfulness.

From Chapter 5 to 7, we learn about ego renunciation, higher consciousness connection, and implementation of learned wisdom. Ego is like carrying a heavy backpack on a long journey. The lighter the backpack, the easier the journey.

Chapter 8 advocates resilience: 'Never give up on yourself'. Imagine Thomas Edison giving up after his 10,000th unsuccessful attempt at inventing the light bulb!

Chapter 9 and 10 talk about gratitude and perceiving the divine in everything around us. It's like a shift from standard definition to high-definition viewing, where life's colors seem brighter, and every mundane thing radiates a beautiful glow.

Chapter 11 to 13 teach us surrender, absorption in the divine, and detachment from Maya. Ever experienced the peace in letting go, in surrendering to the flow of the river rather than swimming against the current?

Chapter 14 and 15 encourage us to live a lifestyle that aligns with our vision and to prioritize divinity. It’s about alignment, like tuning a radio to catch the right frequency.

Chapter 16 reveals that 'Being good is a reward in itself'. Think about it, doesn’t the act of giving gifts brings you as much joy, if not more, as receiving them?

Chapter 17 and 18 seal our journey with the power of choice and the beauty of union with God. As in Robert Frost's poem, choosing the path less travelled does make all the difference.

After journeying through these chapters, here are a few questions to mull over: Are we ready to trade our wrong thinking for right knowledge? Can we see the divine in the ordinary and find joy in selflessness? Are we resilient enough to never give up on ourselves, and wise enough to live a lifestyle that aligns with our vision? And ultimately, are we ready to choose the right over the pleasant, to let go, to move closer to the divine?

The Bhagavad Gita, though ancient, still pulses with relevancy, providing us with a roadmap for life. It's a timeless teacher patiently waiting for us to unlearn our prejudices, relearn with an open mind, and transform the lessons into wisdom. Are we ready to become its students?


Image (c) istock.com

25-Nov-2023

More by :  P. Mohan Chandran


Top | Hinduism

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