Part of the great Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita is also known as the ‘The Song of God’. Bhagavad Gita or Gita enlightens us on how a human should stay alive and not merely exist. The dialogue between Prince Arjun and his friend, charioteer Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is the central theme of the Bhagavad Gita.
Regardless of the religion a person follows, understanding the gist and essence of the Bhagavad Gita can inspire and help one to cultivate good values and find the answers to the questions of life. Its teachings can help us change our perspective on life. Irrespective of Bhagavad Gita being centuries old its knowledge and life lessons are applicable even today.
5 Reasons to Include Bhagavad Gita In Daily Life
1. Having A Clear Perspective
On the battlefield, Arjun is cast down with massive destruction and the deaths of numerous people. At this time when Arjun expresses his reluctance and fear to Lord Krishna, he teaches Arjun the importance of having perspective about everything in life, i.e. correctly perceiving things plays a crucial role, it helps us to clear our doubts on what should we do, why should we do and how should we do a particular task.
Based on our past experiences we learn to think in a particular way. We start to believe that only our ideas, decisions are correct and we conclude that other’s opinions are wrong. We need to listen to other’s thoughts, try to understand them. It is equally important to look at things from another person’s point of view and to put yourself in their shoes before concluding. This helps us to broaden our thoughts and also increases our knowledge.
2. Managing Our Anger And Staying Calm
Anger only leads to confusion and chaos. It distracts us from our goals and becomes a barrier to our path to success. Lord Krishna advises Arjun to fight with a calm mind, to fight skillfully, and not like a demon. To fight fair. On the other hand, the Kauravas fought with the feeling of anger, hate, and jealousy resulting in their downfall.
It is natural to feel angry in our day-to-day life when things don’t work out according to us. But in such times responding to them with a short temper will only make the situation worse. Instead, we should be finding out ways to keep our mind stable, exercising meditation, and even at such times not reacting immediately, works out.
3. Simply Performing Our Duties And Not Worrying About The Outcome
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tries to convince Arjun to do his duty to fight in the war as a man born into the class of warriors and that he need not feel bad for the loss of his family members, insinuating that “Nothing happens by chance, by fate. We create our faith by our actions.”
Most of the time we think about the result and end up focusing less on the efforts required. Even our decisions are affected because we think about the result. We should realize that doing our duty is in our hands but the result lies solely in the hands of nature and destiny.
4. Accepting Change
As the saying goes, “Everything is temporary, change is the only constant”. Lord Krishna also very clearly states that whatever may exist today may not remain the same tomorrow, whatever is there now is going to change anytime. Whatever happens, change is going to take place and nothing in this world is permanent.
The example of seasons changing illustrates the fact that nothing in this world is permanent, including success and failure. We should never be overconfident or brag about our success. Instead, we should understand that what we have today can be taken away at any time. Accepting the smallest changes in nature and showing tolerance towards it will help us to be happier.
5. Being Fearless
Fear is an emotion or a state of mind that each one of us experiences at some point in time. Though it only makes us weak and reduces the chances of success, it is also important to accept fear, only then we will be able to overcome it. Lord Krishna says that we fear only when we lack knowledge. One should be well-versed with all the knowledge in his/her field of work. Bhagavad Gita may not erase your fear but it will surely reduce it and make it so small that you may not be concerned about it. Lord Krishna also says that work so hard towards your duties that your fears get ignored.
The Bhagavad Gita is not only a religious book confined to a particular religion, but a book of wisdom, truth, and experience for all. Thus the one who understands and follows it will surely find a way in it for his/her success.
