Krishna gives assurance that He will save us from the effects of all sinful reactions: Aham Tvam Sarva Papebhyo Mokshayishyami.

Krishna says:

My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.

This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.

Bhagavad Gita is the most sacred, holy book of Hindus full of spiritual and intellectual knowledge. Bhagavad Gita is all over the world known for its teachings, given by Lord Krishna to warrior Arjun at the time of Mahabharata in Kurukshetra. When Arjun was confused – whether it is fair to battle with his family members (Dhritarashtra’s sons) just for the sake of the kingdom and to rule Hastinapur and whether the war between Kauravas and Pandavas be fruitful for humanity? There were many such questions and queries in Arjun’s mind and as the charioteer of Arjun Lord Krishna guides him with his teachings in battlefield only. This conversation is known as Bhagavad Gita. Lord Sri Krishna summarized the entire Vedic philosophy in these 700 verses of Bhagavad-gita. Though this knowledge is very old, yet, it is very relevant even today.

It is the essence of all Vedic knowledge and is one of the most important Upanishads in Vedic literature.

Few terms which show the elements of the Bhagavad Gita are practical to relieve us from all sins; they are – ISHWAR, JIV, PRAKRTI, KAAL, DHARMA, KARMA, KAAM, MOKSH, MAYA, LOBH, BHAKTI-SHAKTI, YOGA, GYAN, SHATRU-MITR, GURU-SHISYHA and MOKSH etc. These are just a few terms; after all 700 verses can’t be compiled in one article.

Lord Krishna’s conversation with Arjun was in Sanskrit language but to make it understandable in simple language, it was translated in Hindi. Even in foreign countries Bhagavad Gita has been translated in English and their own language so that it’s teachings can be understood and implemented all over to achieve peace, humanity and MOKSH.

Human beings always attach priorities for the benefits to be derived by different activities; so the important question is why to read the Bhagavad Gita and how can it be useful for them? After all, they are taking out their precious time to read it.

So let us understand why Bhagavad Gita reading and understanding should be accorded much greater importance than wasting time in a materialistic world.

Reading Bhagavad Gita faithfully and regularly not only purifies mind and soul but also gives us the strength to face uncertainty and failures. On the other hand, it makes us polite and humble at the time of success. Bhagavad Gita is the root of all the Vedic scriptures, philosophy and writings in a scared form. It is crucial these days to follow proper religious rituals, but one can also satisfy the God by a devotional recitation of Gita.

We Indians are reminded of the teachings of Bhagavad Gita when someone expires and at times of Shradh it is believed that reading Bhagavad Gita will cause the person to go to heaven and he will get Moksha and relief from Janam-Mrityu Chakra.

Recitation of Bhagavad Gita is also done at inauguration ceremonies and on many other occasions. It is perceived that recitation of Bhagavad Gita will remove all the negative vibes, curses or effect of black magic and there are enormous facts associated with it.

Making it a routine to read Gita will achieve the piety accrued from donating cows in charity to worthy recipients. It is acclaimed that reading of Bhagavad Gita with “Shradha and Bhakti”   gives the saintly benefit of performing aAashvamedha havan or yagya.

The benefit of reading Bhagavad-gita is not just limited to materialistic achievement.

Human being’s whole life starves for Moksha; the recitation of Bhagavad Gita paves the path for it. We acquire a friendly disposition to all living beings and develop good qualities and start moving towards good deeds and works (Karma). Our life, in this world, thus becomes successful and at the end of this life, we can attain the Moksha.

We should read the Bhagavad Gita to learn about God, humanity and to understand finest structures of our survival as a living entity. We can begin to actually understand God, His love for us and our relationship with him. The benefits of knowing God is that we become free from suffering.

Transcend emotions and attend duties: Many times we are swept away by our own emotions and tend to neglect our responsibilities. Emotions keep changing, but neglecting responsibility would lead to unpleasant consequences. Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the truth and thus helps us in attending to the responsibilities.

Get rid of ignorance through knowledge: Bhagavad Gita gives us the skill to come out of our ignorance and leads us to the path of knowledge. Only through self-knowledge, one can be truly happy in this ever-changing world.

Inner strength: We become empowered with inner strength and have the ability to face any situation. However, our insecurities and illusions stop us in accessing the inner strength. Coming out of fears would connect us with our inner strength.

Guidelines for leading a balanced life: Too much of activity tires us. Similarly, inactivity pushes us into laziness. In life, it is very necessary to strike balance between work and rest. Bhagavad Gita provides guidelines on how to strike the right balance in food, activity, and rest.

The importance of Karma (activities): Many times we keep worrying about our problems but do not get into action. Performing actions or duties without worrying about the results is the secret to get rid of from worries. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna gave tips to Arjuna on how to perform selfless actions; These tips are so precise that we can also use them to lead a life with peace and harmony.

Meditation and yoga: Lord Krishna has talked about the importance of yoga and meditation and how they can help us in experiencing the inner peace and joy. In the present era, directly or indirectly we all in a battlefield fighting with each other sometimes for ego, sometimes for pleasure, there are situations where we even don’t know that for whom are we fighting and the most horrible and constant fight is between Dharma and Karma, mind and soul. But Gita teaches us how we can incorporate mind and soul with Dharma and Karma. Yoga and meditation are shown as a medium to seek out this problem.

Guru and Disciple:

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: ||

Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth.

A seeker would be staggering on the spiritual path without a master. A seeker needs someone who can help in getting away with the illusions of mind and progress in the path of knowledge. Bhagavad Gita acts like a Guru and provides the guidance for a happy life.

Transcend the opposites: Most of the times, our mind is caught up in opposite values such as good-bad, right- wrong, and so on. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains how one’s conscious is pervading all over and all the opposites are nothing but the manifestation of one’s consciousness. By pondering on the absolute, one can easily transcend above opposites.

Joy in devotion: Bhakti or devotion is the easiest way to reach the Divine Lord or God. With faith and trust (shraddha and Vishwas), one gets the inner strength which gives the power to face any situation. Lord Krishna has beautifully explained the power of devotion in the Bhagavad Gita.

Serve God by chanting Bhagavad Gita, engage yourself in devotional service and then you can feel the power of spiritual words and their meanings.

Hare Krishna

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