Prof Vandana Sharma
THE HOLY Gita Jayanti, or to say in common parlance for the better understanding of young minds, the birthday of the Bhagavad Gita, is celebrated on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright half of the month of Margaseersha (December-January), according to the Hindu almanac. It was on this day that Sanjaya narrated to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and thus made the glorious teachings of the Lord available to us, and to people of the world, for all time. Ostensibly, the day establishes the timeless wisdom of Sanatana Dharma which is not encapsulated in any religious boundaries as it is the eternal law which deals with the way cosmos functions. Therefore, to be in tune with the movement and functioning of this cosmos, myriads of paths arose in Bharat and Bhagavat Gita is one such timeless book of life which contains sublime lessons on wisdom and philosophy. Gita is aptly viewed my many as the book of life, a book which teaches you the way to live.
The Gita was given to us about 6000 years ago by Sri Krishna, the Lord incarnate, through His most devoted disciple, Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Hailed by many as the “Song Celestial”,it is the universal gospel which appeals to all, irrespective of race, creed, age or religion. The sublime teachings of this book of life are manifold aptly resonated in the words of Gandhiji who said, “Gita is not only my Bible or My Koran, it is my mother…my eternal mother…I confess to you that, when doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I run to the Bhagavat Gita and find a verse to comfort me, and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow”. Indisputably, Gita is a living voice which seems to be unheard by the youth today and it is a matter of great regret that many young men and women of India know very little of this most unique scripture. One cannot consider oneself as having attained a good standard of education if one does not have a sound knowledge of the Gita. Needless to say that the degrees seem a mere husk or chaff if it has not been holistic and value-based which is one of the prime mandates of NEP-2020 too. Therefore, for the understanding of youth, in this article I wish to delve into what lessons Gita gives to youth.
The point of departure is that Gita falls under Smriti classification which changes to suit the needs of the time and is open for reflection and contemplation. As we know, Sanatana, which literally means eternal and unchanging has a Shruti Smriti tradition, where Vedas considered direct revelations or direct perceptions of the Truth are Shrutiwhereas Smriti is translated as what is remembered. Hence, Bhagavat Gita as a smriti text, falling within Mahabharata even though is regarded as the word of Lord himself, it is related to a situation or context, namely the war of Kurukshetra and includes worldly advice about doing one’s dharma in society, unlike the highest truth in Shruti texts.
Gita- as an empowering Text
The setting of Bhagavat Gita is battleground where Arjuna is indecisive and Krishna becomes his guru and guides him to do what he is meant to do. So, just as Gita begins with dilemmas and lack of meaning and Krishna as a mentor not only guides but empowers Arjun to make the right choice, like a facilitator empowers Arjuna to understand that he is far more powerful to deal with this confusion. Likewise, every young man or woman is bound to have dilemmas, confusions, failures and disappointmentsin their personal or professional sphere.Gita represents the deeper conflicts within us, the war that rages inside every soul. We all have a Kurukshetra within us. Don’t we feel this Kurukshetra daily within us ? So we need to understand how we are far more powerful than our problems and challenges. No matter what are your confusions and pains, still they are smaller than you. This is how Gita gives strength and builds fortitude in a spiritual being to realise that I have the power to overcome any difficulty and to make a difference through the right choice.Gita teaches us that, it is when we are hardest hit that we must not quit.The choices that we have in life are never between right and wrong, but between right and easy. Doing the right is not always easy or pleasant. And by not choosing the right, we bring vice, not only upon ourselves, but others as well. And this is what Lord Krishna explained to Arjuna: “Partha! Fighting this battle, fighting your family members on the other side, is not unrighteousness. It is your karma, your kshatriya dharma, to fight injustice and restore peace and harmony. Be it anyone in front of you, you have to fight for truth and justice.”
The Power of Karma
Verse 47 of Chapter 2 is an extremely popular verse of the Bhagavad Gita which offers deep insight into the true spirit of work and the deeds of a real karm yogi. The verse gives four instructions regarding the science of work: 1) Do your duty, but do not concern yourself with the results. 2) The fruits of your actions are not for your enjoyment. 3) Even while working, give up the pride of doership. 4) Do not be attached to inaction.
The Power of befriending Your Mind
Verse from chapter 6 which talks about the mind, being a friend or an enemy is yet another relevant lesson for youth. If we befriend our mind, it empowers us to do goodand if we don’t it may mislead to downfall. Mind always plays games and has been compared to a monkey. For a student, controlling the mind yields to better concentration and focus which is a prerequisite for better intellectual process. Many a times, I have heard youngsters complaining about failing to fulfil their resolves, whether it is reading a book; or working out to stay toned or work hard to upgrade their skills and performance. Now the questions is what stops them, it is their mind which if trained can help in attaining the desired goals, smaller or bigger. Ostensibly, the way to train your mind is through meditation, good books and good friends.
Presence of Divinity everywhere
Chapter 9 of Gita imparts the most secret knowledge which is imparted by the Supreme Lord to a person who gets free from evil deeds. Gita teaches us that we don’t have to necessarily go to a place of worship to feel the divinity. One can look at the presence of divinity in nature, in other people. To be always conscious of the Divine, to ever feel the Divine Presence, to live always in the awareness of the Supreme Being in the chambers of your heart and everywhere around you, is verily to live a life of fullness and divine perfection on earth itself. One should be appreciative of the splendour of creation and here a young mind gets the idea of relaising not to feel envious of the one who is more capable or better than you. Usually when two people are in the same field there is insecurity at the feeling that the other person is better than me, which some times to the extent of sabotaging. So when one looks at how divinity has empowered somebody to do something in a special way and that person has been gifted by higher powers. Therefore, to sabotage that person, or be jealous of that person is to insult the one who has given this power to someone. The doer in reality is the supreme Lord. On the contrary is one looks at that person and seek inspiration, one can draw this inspiration to meet his/her aspirations.
To conclude, I urge the youth to take a resolve on Gita Jayanti that you will read at least one discourse every day. Keep a pocket-sized edition of the Gita with you at all times. Mark a few verses in it which inspire you. Everyday, while you wait for your bus or train, or whenever you have a little leisure, pull out the book and read these verses. You will be ever inspired.
May you all lead the life taught by the Gita! May the Gita, the blessed Mother of the Vedas, guide and protect you! May it nourish you with the milk of the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads!
Glory to Lord Krishna, the Divine Teacher! Glory to Sri Vyasa, the poet of poets, who composed the Gita! May his blessings be upon you all!
(The author is Dean, School of Languages Central University of Jammu)
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