The Bhagavad Gita written by the well-known and highly revered Hindu sage Ved Vyasa, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture borne out of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It is an exhaustive record of the teachings that Lord Krishna imparted to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna found himself in a moral dilemma when he was faced with his kith and kin. It was during that moment that Lord Krishna revealed his true self to Arjuna and explained to him the divine wisdom of duty and righteousness.
The sermons and maxims from this scripture hold true in today’s world of modernity and technology as well. The echoes of its lessons are relevant for people of every age group and vocation.
It is this enduring quality of the Bhagavad Gita that we attempt to celebrate here by reminding you of the lessons it left behind. We have carefully curated a chapter-wise list of all the teachings in this scripture. These are lessons that will ring true in your everyday life and enrich it further.
Chapter 1 - Having the right perspective and judgement is of utmost importance
This is what Arjuna needed when he had initially seen his kin on the battlefield against him. Being overwhelmed with emotions due to attachment hardly serves any purpose.
Chapter 2 - Knowledge, only when accompanied by truth is the only form of pure knowledge that can help individuals triumph over their struggles
This is also the time when Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna to accept change and forge on his path towards the greater good.
Chapter 3 - One of the key elements of being successful and progressing further in life is to become truly altruistic with one’s motivations and goals
Lord Krishna here invokes the concept of ‘Karmayoga’( the path of selfless service towards all) to Arjun.
Chapter 4 - Everything one does in their life can be understood as an act of prayer.
While unfolding his divine wisdom to Arjuna, Lord Krishna explains to him how one can be free from the cycle of karma (actions and their consequences) by following his teachings. It is the only path to supreme knowledge and peace.
Chapter 5 - Executing one’s karma (actions) without any expectations of the outcome is the only way to gain wisdom and an everlasting connection with one’s surroundings.
Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to abandon his ego and ponder about dedicating his actions to a higher cause. This is the true sign of a karmayogi (a person who practises the principles of selfless service).
Chapter 6 - Always strive to maintain a link with one’s higher consciousness.
According to Lord Krishna, one can establish this through meditation. He then introduces ‘Astanga’ yoga, the practice of controlling one’s mind and senses to focus on the Parmatma (the supreme self). It inevitably leads to uncovering one’s actual spiritual nature.
Chapter 7 - Know who you are.
When you meditate it is important to explore who you truly are. Lord Krishna elucidates that those who surrender to him and follow his teachings will eventually find godly attributes and essence within themselves. This will further make an individual realise that everything is connected and that living in harmony is the path to the greatest wisdom of all.
Chapter 8 - To attain salvation, one must never lose faith.
Having absolute faith in Lord Krishna is akin to having faith in oneself. This further translates into continuing on one’s spiritual journey to attain salvation.
Chapter 9 - Appreciate what you have and understand that as a blessing from God.
Lord Krishna here talks about the material world and how everything is his creation. This further translates into the idea that he resides in everything and that everything on this Earth is a reflection of him.
Chapter 10 - Divinity is all around oneself and also within.
Expanding on the teaching in the last chapter, Lord Krishna develops this concept by stating that since the Earth is his creation, miracles are also part of his divine manifestation. He terms this as Vibhuti, the concept of welcoming the possibility of miracles.
Chapter 11 - To understand the truth, you need to submit to it wholeheartedly.
In this chapter, Lord Krishna reveals his universal form to Arjuna, thereby showing that everything exists within him. He tells Arjuna, that the only way to gain this truth and comprehend it is through complete devotion to him.
Chapter 12 - The course to devotion is by investing oneself in the higher being.
Here Lord Krishna talks about love, devotion and Bhakti, letting oneself get absorbed in the devotion of the higher being. This is what makes a person truly liberated from material desires.
Chapter 13 - Wean away from Maya (worldly desires) and devote yourself to the Divine.
Drawing a stark contrast between the objective world and one’s immortal soul, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that he must commit himself to the eternal and detach from the transitory physical world.
Chapter 14 - Adopt your life in the way that would help you realise your ultimate vision.
Here Lord Krishna talks about the three gunas (qualities) namely goodness, passion and ignorance. One needs to choose goodness over the other qualities until one can learn to surpass all of them and transcend into the Self.
Chapter 15 - Prioritise Divinity over all material and worldly needs.
Lord Krishna explains that it is only by developing a detachment from the worldly cycle of life and death that Divinity can be realised. It is only by resisting these temptations that one can realise the path of self-discipline and Divinity.
Chapter 16 - Continuing on the path of goodness is always fruitful.
Lord Krishna states that making a conscious effort to not give in to one’s vices is rewarding in itself. By inculcating godly virtues in oneself, one gets closer to realising the higher self and spiritual perfection.
Chapter 17 - The test of a person’s true strength is when they choose right over the easy.
In this chapter, Lord Krishna talks about the importance of leading a Satvik (virtuous) life. Those ruled by their passions and ignorance will fail to realise this aim and thereby lead a life of indiscipline.
Chapter 18 - Relinquish all to God and move into unison with Him.
Lord Krishna clarifies that this is not to be misunderstood as abandoning one’s responsibilities but carrying out one’s actions with virtue and letting all your good deeds unite in realising your true inner self.
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