Bhagavad Gita: The Song Celestial

     Bhagavad Gita, the song of the Lord, as it literally translates, is the very backbone of Hinduism. Not only Hindus, but also many others, read this great, ancient scripture. It contains the essence of the Vedic knowledge and spiritual philosophy in seven hundred verses (slokas), contained in eighteen chapters. Whereas Hindus read it as the most important book of their religion, others read it as a book of incomparable spiritual wisdom. It has been translated into most languages of the world. The first English translation was in 1785. Sir Edwin Arnold’s version, The Song Celestial, later became the most popular. Innumerable commentaries have been offered on the Gita. Arguably, more people have read the Gita in English than in Sanskrit or any other Indian language.

     Hinduism is truly an evolutionary religion. Each successive scripture contains the essence of many previous scriptures, with subtle changes and modifications. The Bhagavad Gita is the culmination of the Vedas and the Upanishads in the form of a dialogue between the seeker of guidance, Arjuna, and the fountain of knowledge, the Lord himself. Before the war of Mahabharata, Arjuna, the Pandava prince in charge of leading his side, became disheartened. When he noticed the persons with whom he would have to fight, he was overcome with emotion. He declared that he would rather give up his right to the kingdom than to fight with his kith and kin.

     Often, we find ourselves in similar situations. When our own family members commit any wrongdoing, we tend to side with them. We often do not have the courage or discretion to challenge or resist our own wrongdoings or those committed by people who are dear and near to us. The Gita deals with the difficult issues of man’s spiritual journey. This scripture has been considered to be Brahmvidya—the knowledge of God.

     Modern science recognizes the process of the evolution of man through gradual transformations, from the lowest forms to the highest. But it leaves the most vital step—the ethical or moral development of man—completely untouched. Hindu sages of the past would go deeper into this process of evolution and offer their philosophic doctrine after long periods of contemplation and meditation. Modern science considers evolution of the species as a whole, whereas Hindu Rishis considered the evolution of every individual soul. Modern science avoids the task of the accountability of man’s virtues and vices; the ancient Rishis addressed these questions in a meaningful way. Modern science has not even attempted to find what happens to man after his physical death; Hindu philosophy established the very vital link of man from one birth to another, through eons of life cycles.

     Modern science appears unconcerned with the very purpose of life; Hindu Rishis considered this to be the most pertinent question.
     From the beginning, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that death is merely a change in the process of a person’s eternal life. Death, according to Hindu philosophy, is not the final stage but merely an interlude in the long journey of our souls, which pass through eons of birth cycles to develop and evolve, until they attain the final destination of moral and ethical maturity. Just as we change from childhood to adulthood and then to old age, death, too, becomes a change from one body to another. The Gita has very effectively dealt with the most complex human problem—the fear of death.  

     According to the Hindu philosophy, an individual’s good and bad actions are meticulously recorded in some mystic and spiritual manner, and depending upon the performance in this life, the person is allotted his station in the next life accordingly.
      The accountability of our actions, in fact, forms the very basis of all the religions of the world. In Hindu philosophy, reincarnation or rebirth occupies a very special place.
      The ancient Hindu sages then gave the instruction of the highest quality. They called it detachment. There is also a major, if subtle, departure from the philosophy of renunciation, or sanyasa, as had been preached earlier. After listening to the spiritual discourse of the Lord, Arjuna did not renounce the world and become a hermit; rather, he fought a fierce battle to uphold the cause of righteousness.61 Nonviolence, or ahimsa, has been qualified.
     A religious scripture is basically a scripture of spiritual teachings. Indeed, the Bhagavad Gita is a treasure house full of jewels and diamonds in the form of teachings of many virtues and morals. All other descriptions, lengthy discourses, intricate philosophies, rituals, and sermons become superficial and hollow if they do not contribute toward instructing human beings on good behavior and divine qualities.

     Of the over seven hundred slokas in the Gita, I have selected the most important, in the hope that these will be of greatest help to readers in their daily lives.

“Whence has this dejection come upon thee at this critical hour, for this is unworthy of noble people, bringing neither heaven nor fame.”
—Chapter 2, verse 2
 Thus, in the very beginning of this greatest of Hindu scriptures, the Lord utters a clear and unambiguous message: to be firm, to be courageous, and to fight for right action at all costs. Personal and family considerations are not of much importance for noble people when the question of righteousness is at stake.

“Just as the soul in this body passes through childhood, youth, and old age, so does it pass into another body; the steadfast is not deluded.”
—Chapter 2, verse 13
 The Lord now reveals the secret of true wisdom as a great teacher. Hindu spirituality believes in the eternal nature of the soul. The physical body is considered but a tool with which the soul can perform, through eons of births. The death of the body need not be lamented, as this is not the end of our long spiritual journey.

“Just as a man takes off worn-out garments and puts on new ones, so the embodied soul casts off worn-out bodies and enters into new ones.”
—Chapter 2, verse 22
 This famous verse of the Gita has transformed millions of people. They have faced death as a stage play, with their mind fixed on the eternal Divine.

NOTE: All verses have been adapted from Srimad Bhagavad
Geeta. Delhi Cantt, India: Shree Geeta Ashram.

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