MODERN DHARMIC WAY OF LIFE FROM B G
“Yadaa Yadaahi Dharmasya Glaanirbhavati Bhaarata Abhyutthaanam Adharmasya
Tadaatmanam Srujaamy Aham Paritraanaaya Saadhunaam Vinaashaaya Cha
Dushkrutaam Dharma Samsthaapanaarthaaya Sambhaavaamy Yugey Yugey”
“Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, O descendant of Bharata, and
whenever there is much more unrighteousness, I manifest Myself personally
at that time. To protect the good at heart and destroy evil and wrongdoers,
I show Myself millennium after millennium.”
The importance of Bhagavad Gita in modern life offers help. It presents a
method for looking within ourselves to find our true nature. Once we know
our true nature, it’s easy to see what makes us happy and enjoy that
happiness forever. The easy course of vedas is, it fits everyone provided
there are are boundaries long area netted where one can roam around and
normal life of pleasure is not prohibited at all. These methods in the
Bhagavad Gita focus on us as humans, so there is no time aspect to them.
Because of that, knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita is as essential today as it
was at any given time and will be necessary at any given time in the future.
At its core, the Bhagavad Gita expounds profound philosophical
principles that continue to shape human thought and perspective. The Gita
addresses fundamental questions about existence, purpose, and the nature of
reality. Its teachings on the eternal soul(atman), the transient nature of
the physical body, and the cyclical nature of birth and death offer a
unique worldview that resonates with seekers of truth across generations.
1. Duty and Dharma The Gita’s emphasis on dharma, or righteous duty,
remains an enduring theme. It elucidates the concept of dharma as the moral
obligation to fulfill one’s duties selflessly, regardless of external
circumstances or personal desires. This teaching has profound implications
for ethical decision-making and responsible living, making the Gita a
timeless guide for navigating complex moral dilemmas.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 3, Verse 35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || 35||
śhreyān—better; swa-dharmaḥ—personal duty; viguṇaḥ—tinged with faults;
para-dharmāt—than another’s prescribed duties; su-anuṣhṭhitāt—perfectly
done; swa-dharme—in one’s personal duties; nidhanam—death; śhreyaḥ—better;
para-dharmaḥ—duties prescribed for others; bhaya-āvahaḥ—fraught with fear
shreyan swa-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat sv-anushthitat
swa-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah
BG 3.35: It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though
tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though
perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s duty,
than to follow the path of another, which is fraught with danger.
TRIGUNAS Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 14, Verse 5
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणा: प्रकृतिसम्भवा: |
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् || 5||
sattvam—mode of goodness; rajaḥ—mode of passion; tamaḥ—mode of ignorance;
iti—thus; guṇāḥ—modes; prakṛiti—material nature; sambhavāḥ—consists of;
nibadhnanti—bind; mahā-bāho—mighty-armed one; dehe—in the body; dehinam—the
embodied soul; avyayam—eternal
sattvam rajas tama iti gunah prakriti-sambhavah
nibadhnanti maha-baho dehe dehinam avyayam
BG 14.5: O mighty-armed Arjun, the material energy consists of three guṇas
(modes)—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). These
modes bind the eternal soul to the perishable body.
THAT IS ALL. Are you thinking you are planning your duty? Duty
is everything right from birth till death you are acting where you assign
your norms as assigned by the earth; but all those are already assigned
duties as said in the above verse; on the contrary suppose if you can tell
me now what you will be doing on 16 8 26 today then I shall accept it
assigned by yourself and if it is totally done; but you cannot even
imagine. But 16826 duty is already assigned. So dharma is not a secret; it
is doing the duty that were assigned. Then where would Karma arise as
earned by every individual? BY ADOPTION OF GUNA IN DOING THE DUTY. With
sattva guna no tag is attached to the duty executed as assigned fully or
partly. Thus DHARMA IS DOING ALL WITH THE SATTVA GUNA; AND HERE AS LONG AS
YOUR PLEASURES ARE GOVERNED BY THE SATTVA GUNA, IN FAMILY, FOOD, HABITS ETC
KARMA STEPS AWAY.
2. Inner Transformation
The Gita advocates for inner transformation to attain higher states of
consciousness. It teaches the cultivation of qualities such as detachment,
equanimity, humility, and self-discipline. The Gita’s emphasis on
self-mastery and control over the mind resonates with the universal
aspiration for personal growth and self-improvement. We grow as we are
doing our swadharma; so too we grow consciously elevating the self; rate of
acceleration may vary; but growth is sattva. ELEVATING ONESELF IN GUNAS AND
RAISING THE STANDARDS OF YOGA ISS TRANSFORMATIONS.
3. Universal Unity
One of the most profound revelations in the Gita is Lord Krishna’s
exposition of his universal form- universal brotherhood.
योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रिय: |
सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते || 7||
yoga-yuktaḥ—united in consciousness with God; viśhuddha-ātmā—one with
purified intellect; vijita-ātmā—one who has conquered the mind;
jita-indriyaḥ—having conquered the senses; sarva-bhūta-ātma-bhūta-ātmā—one
who sees the Soul of all souls in every living being; kurvan—performing;
api—although; na—never; lipyate—entangled
yoga-yukto vishuddhatma vijitatma jitendriyah
sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma kurvann api na lipyate
BG 5.7: The karm yogis, who are of purified intellect, and who control the
mind and senses, see the Soul of all souls in every living being. Though
performing all kinds of actions, they are never entangled.
4. Paths to Liberation
The Gita presents various paths to spiritual liberation(moksha),
recognizing individuals’ diverse inclinations and capacities. The three
main paths of yoga : Karma Yoga (the Yoga of action), Bhakti Yoga (the Yoga
of devotion), and Jnana Yoga (the Yoga of knowledge) offer different
approaches to self-realization and union with the divine. This
inclusiveness makes the Gita an all-encompassing spiritual guide for
individuals of varied temperaments.
The normal hierarchy that has been talked in Bhagavad-gita is described
from 18.47-55. In 18.47-48, Krishna talks about daivi-varnashrama
(svakarmana tam abhyarcha, by your work worship him). Then from 18.49-53
Krishna talks about jnana-yoga, renouncing the world (sannyasam
upashritaha). Then in 18.54-55, Krishna talks about those who have attained
brahman realization (brahma bhuta prasannatma) will attain my bhakti (mad
bhaktim labhate param). Therefore, the hierarchy is – karma > jnana >
bhakti. Then in 18.56, Krishna says, “You do not have to go through all
this.” (sarva-karmany api sada kurvano mad-vyapashrayah – whatever level
you are located at, you start practicing bhakti you will be liberated).
5. Overcome Suffering
The Gita offers solace and guidance in times of suffering and adversity.
Its teachings on resilience, acceptance of life’s challenges, and the
impermanent nature of pain provide a source of strength and courage to face
life’s trials with equanimity.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 6, Verse 7
जितात्मन: प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहित: |
शीतोष्णसुखदु:खेषु तथा मानापमानयो: || 7||
jitatmanah prashantasya paramatma samahitah
shitoshna-sukha-duhkheshu tatha manapamanayoh
BG 6.7: The yogis who have conquered the mind rise above the dualities of
cold and heat, joy and sorrow, and honor and dishonor. Such yogis remain
peaceful and steadfast in their devotion to God.
6. Guideline to Lead a Balanced Life
Too much activity tires us, and inactivity pushes us into laziness. In
life, it is necessary to strike a balance between work and rest. The
Bhagwad Gita provides guidelines on how to strike the right balance between
food, activity, and rest.
7. Meditation and Yoga
Krishna talked about the importance of yoga and meditation and how they can
help us experience inner peace and joy. In the present era, nobody may be
standing in a battlefield and fighting with enemies. However, we are
constantly fighting our own minds. Winning over the mind is possible only
through yoga and meditation.
Learn to take life as it comes. Learn to get over it. Whatever you are
moping about, forget about it. A job interview that did not go as planned
or the relationship you were hoping for, but it did not work out. You need
to take things in your stride. Let go and have faith that everything
happens for a reason. You cannot control the past, nor can you control the
future. You only have the present, so learn to live it fully.
2. Focus on Your Work, Not on the Results
Today, people work for a bigger house and a fancy car, and the list is
endless. We do everything keeping the ‘end result’ in mind. We suffer when
the ‘end result’ exceeds our expectations. Keep it simple. Only work is in
our hands.
3. The Only Thing Constant in Life is “Change”
Today, you might be rich and famous. Tomorrow, fame and fortune might both
be gone. Accept both situations with equanimity. Seasons change, people
change, day follows night, etc. Learn the lesson of change from Mother
Nature. Life changes make you resilient and show you how to be tenacious.
BG 2.27: This verse is frequently cited to explain that death and birth are
certain, representing the inevitable cycle of life and transformation.
BG 2.13: Explains that the soul, or embodied self, passes through different
bodies (boyhood, youth, old age) as it moves from one life to another,
demonstrating the change of the physical form.
BG 4.16: States that the wise understand that the non-existent cannot truly
cease and the existent cannot truly end, pointing to the transient nature
of material reality and the permanence of the soul.
BG 8.18: Mentions the creation and annihilation of beings at different
times, highlighting the cyclic nature of existence.
4. The Body is Temporary & Soul is Permanent
The soul does not die. Fear of death and worry kill ambition and diminish
chances of progress. Be fearless. The body dies, but not the soul. You must
strive to eradicate fear from your mind. Fear is a deterrent to your
well-being.
5. Cultivate Empathy
Love is at the core of the Bhagavad Gita’s message. Because Lord Krishna
delivered the Bhagavad Gita on a battlefield, it focuses only on the
principles of duty and action. But the Gita is a treatise on life as a
whole. In our day-to-day lives, we encounter many people, each with joys
and sorrows. Cultivating empathy towards them sets us on a path of
spiritual enlightenment and also helps to lessen the misery of people
around us.
EQUANIMITY OF A STHITHA PRAGNAN I HAVE QUOTED MANY A TIMES.
6. Doubting Mind Achieves Nothing
Many people are unhappy because they doubt the ‘absolute truth’ or a
greater force at work. According to the Bhagavad Gita, a doubtful mind will
not be at peace in this world or the next. Have faith. Faith brings
positive energy and momentum.
7. Overcome Self-doubt and Fear
The Bhagavad Gita offers guidance on overcoming self-doubt and fear by
tapping into our inner strength and connecting with our true nature. It
encourages us to recognize the eternal soul within us, which is beyond
birth and death, and to approach challenges with courage and conviction.
The Gita teaches that by aligning ourselves with our higher self, we can
overcome obstacles and live confidently and fearlessly.
Bhagavad-gītā 4.40 says:
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति।
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः।।4.40।।
ajñaścāśraddadhānaśca saṅśayātmā vinaśyati.
nāyaṅ lōkō.sti na parō na sukhaṅ saṅśayātmanaḥ ৷৷ 4.40 ৷৷
One who is ignorant and faithless, and has a doubtful mind perishes.
Neither this world nor the next nor happiness exists for one who has a
doubtful mind.
8. Belief Creates Courage, and then Courage Destroys all Your Fears.
So, program yourself to believe you can do complex things and overcome all
your fears. Because you are what you think you are. Once you strongly
believe in yourself, nothing is impossible for you.
yacchaavahaasaarthamasatkritosi vihaarashayyasanabhojaneshu |
ekothavaapyachyuta tatsamaksham tatkshaamaye tvaamahamaprameyam || 42 ||11
Whatever insults were said to you in jest, while resting, sleeping,
sitting, dining, O resolute one, while in solitude or in front of others,
for all that, I ask your forgiveness, O immeasurable one.
Conclusion
Life may seem like a battlefield, but it’s also a drama in many texts.
Looking at it this way, we can ask ourselves, “Am I playing my part fully?
Are we giving ourselves to our life and world and living purposefully?”
The importance of the Bhagavad Gita in daily life encourages us to live
with purity, discipline, strength, kindness, honesty, and integrity. In
this way, we can realize our purpose and live it fully. Just as Krishna
urges Arjuna to abandon all concerns and trust in his highest Self, we too
can use the Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom to meet our difficulties and decisions
with fearlessness and honesty and learn to live authentically and fully.
K RAJARAM IRS 16825
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