Number 21 - Read the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is the sacred text of Hinduism and is one of the most ancient religions and spiritual texts in the world. 

As a Hindu I’ve never actually read it. So when better to do so than whilst on a trip visiting the spiritual Hindu temples in Bali, and during the holiest month of the Hindu calendar, the month of Shravan, between 12 August and 9 September 2018.

The Bhagavad Gita also known as the ‘Gita’, is a poem and collection of 700 verses written in the ancient script of Sanskrit. I’m not fluent in Sanskrit and so opted to read the translation by Penguin Classics.

The plot of the Gita is based on the battle between the cousins of two families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas competing for the throne.

Arjuna, the leader of the Pandavas, comes to a realisation that controlling the kingdom is not worth the blood of his family and loved ones and decides to quit the battle.

His chariot driver is Lord Krishna and the 18 chapters of the Gita are the conversation between Lord Krishna persuading Arjuna to continue to battle.

Krishna represents the supreme soul, Arjuna represents the individual soul, and the battle represents the ethical and moral struggles of human life.

Krishna explains the reasons why Arjuna will not get bad karma from taking part in the war in the following ways.

Atman -  ‘The self’ is eternal, there is no life and death, what actually happens is that people are sent to the next stage of reincarnation.

‘Just as a man casts off worn-out clothes and puts on new ones, so also the embodied Self casts off worn-off bodies and enters others that are new’

Dharma- ‘Honour and Duty’ - Arjuna is a member of the warrior class; the battle is the very reason of his existence. It is not sinful to fulfil your duty in life.

‘Far better to live your own path imperfectly than to live another’s perfectly.’

Conscious decision- ‘Inaction is impossible’ and is still a conscious decision; not choosing is still a choice.

Intentions - the source of evil is not in our actions, but in the passion desires, and the intentions behind the actions.

‘The meaning of karma is in the intention. The intention behind action is what matters. Those who are motivated only by the desire for the fruits of action are miserable, for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do.’

Jnana yoga - ‘Knowledge’ - understand that God is in everything and everything is in God. The good, the bad and the ugly. Whatever you see is a manifestation of the Lord and with this in mind you should love and be compassionate to all and have no hatred towards any being. 

‘If a thousand suns were to have risen in the sky at once, such a brilliance as this might resemble the brilliance of that supreme self.’

Bhakti yoga - ‘Devotion’ - Our actions can be dedicated to Krishna by surrendering our will to him, and he will take upon himself any bad karma.

‘Fill your mind with me, love me, serve me; worship me always. Seeking me in your heart you will at last be united with me’ -  Krishna

Karma yoga - ‘Action’ - Act without attachment; to act without being so concerned about the outcome of our actions. Sometimes emotions like fear, embarrassment, or anxiety can interfere in the outcome of what we do.

‘Neither in this world nor elsewhere is there is there any happiness I store for him who always doubts’ - Krishna 

The Gita represents the key Hinduism laws and principles on which life works. 

The soul is eternal that moves from this life to the next, we each have a duty and purpose to fulfil in each life, our actions are based on conscious choices we make, and our intentions behind our actions should be pure and good. Everything around us is a manifestation of the supreme and so we should respect, love and be grateful for all that is around us.