5 Lessons from the scripture "Bhagvad Gita"

"Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurma Tey Sangostva Akarmani" - Krishna (Bhagavad Gita)

Bhagvad Gita is an ancient Hindu philosophical scripture, written over 18 chapters, where Krishna counsels Arjuna during the war of Kurukshetra, in the ancient hindu epic of Mahabharata.

Below are the five lessons from the Bhagvad Gita

Lesson 1: “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurma Tey Sangostva Akarmani” Do your karma (duty), without worrying about the outcome (results), enjoy the process of getting there (the journey). Believe that the reward will come in its own time. Do your best and let God do the rest.

((“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” Apostle Paul's last words before his martyrdom in A.D. 67.))

Lesson 2: “vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro parani tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navani dehi” The only constant in life is ‘Change”. This shlok talks about the importance of the ability and willingness to change, adapt, innovate, and to implore new opportunities. Consider your journey like a traveller, who is not attached to the city he visits or the place he stays but enjoys the experience of it all.

Lesson 3: “krodhaadbhavatisammohahsammohaatsmritivibhramah,

smritibhramshaadbuddhinaashobuddhinaashaatpranashyati” This section talks about the importance to control on one’s temper. Anger never solves anything, it only makes things verse. With anger goes away our ability to reason and we tend to become delusional. This shlok teaches that never lose your focus and never underestimate the virtue of patience.

Lesson 4: “tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samacara asakto hy acaran karma param apnoti purushah” Attachment to nothing and being open to everything. Too much attachment to anything is never good. Keep a close eye on your goals but do not get obsessive. Sometimes taking a step back (detachment) is necessary for moving forward.

Lesson 5: “dhumenavriyate vahnir yathadarso malena ca yatholbenavrto garbhas tatha tenedam avrtam” As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, similarly, knowledge is covered by different degrees of lust (desires). One needs to remove these upper hindering layer (desires / lust) to be able to make use of what is within (knowledge).