Modern people think, “What can the Bhagavad Gita teach us?” and “It’s not for us,” but that’s not true. What many know is that the Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that presents the conversation between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna during the Kurukshetra (war) in the Mahabharata. There is much more to it than that. This article presents so important life lessons from the Bhagavad Gita that might blow your mind.
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10 Life Lessons From the Bhagavad Gita
Gita is full of quotes which will help you find answers for your problem. Here are the 10 most powerful life lessons from Bhagavad Gita you will ever learn in your life. It will definitely change your life for the better.
Lesson 1: Self-Realization Is The Ultimate Goal
Knowing yourself is very crucial for your personal growth. Self-realization involves understanding your strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and values. It will help you make the correct decisions and pursue purposeful goals and relationships.
Self-discovery leads to a greater sense of fulfilment in your life. The Lord Krishna emphasizes that self-realization is the pathway to spiritual enlightenment.
NOTE:
“Self-realization is recognizing the true nature within oneself and understanding its relationship with the Lord Brahman (the Supreme Being),” says the Lord Krishna.
Lesson 2: The Three Paths To Self-Realization
According to Lord Krishna, the three paths to self-realization described as yoga’s in the Bhagavad Gita. They are:
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The Path of selfless action:
This is ‘Karma yoga’. This yoga emphasizes that you need to dedicate your activities to the divine without any expectations to attain self-realization. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches Arjuna to complete his duties as a warrior without any expectations.
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The Path of knowledge
: This is ‘Jnana yoga’. This yoga emphasizes that individuals should obtain self-realization through self-reflection and understanding their true selves. Lord Krishna guides Arjuna to attain self-discovery through self-reflection and understanding the true nature of the universe and oneself.
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The Path of devotion:
This is ‘Bhakti yoga’. This yoga emphasizes that you should dedicate yourself completely and worship your chosen deity. Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna to completely devote himself to the Lord Brahman (Supreme Being).
Lesson 3: The Importance Of Self-Control
Lord Krishna emphasizes that self-control is important for leading a harmonious and meaningful life. Don’t be blinded by your desires.
NOTE:
“Insaan apne man ki mehnat se udhar ja sakta hai, ya niche khinch sakta hai, ek hi tarah se. Kyonki har ek insaan apne khud ka dost ya dushman hai”. – from Bhagavad Gita
(A person can rise through the efforts of his own mind; or draw himself down, in the same manner. Because each person is his own friend or enemy.)
By understanding your true nature, you’ll have deep understanding about your strengths, weaknesses, and values, and then you can strengthen your self-control. Krishna emphasizes on mastering self-control to lead a fulfilling life.
Lesson 5: The Importance Of Detachment
Lord Krishna teaches the importance of detachment (Vairagya) in the Bhagavad Gita. He says that detachment from your desires can free you from suffering. When you are not attached to desires, you’ll never feel distress or sadness for not achieving them.
“Sukha ki chabi ichchhaon ke kam karne mein hai” -from Bhagavad Gita
(The key to happiness is reducing of desires)
Bhagavad Gita teaches that detachment from worldly things can lead you to the ‘path of liberation’ (Moksha). It means your soul can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Lesson 6: The Power Of Forgiveness
Lord Krishna said that holding onto grudges only leads to suffering and hinders your spiritual development. Forgive others and also forgive yourself. Practicing forgiveness frees you from the burden of feelings such as resentment, hatred, and anger. It will also release you from the cycle of karma.
Krishna emphasizes that forgiveness is essential for maintaining harmonious relations and inner peace.
Lesson 7: The Importance Of Self-Reflection
Self-reflection makes you understanding your true self, your needs, and your wants. Self-reflection allows you to identify your moral values and strengths, as well as your flaws. Self-reflection enables your personal growth and development by identifying and rectifying your flaws. Lord Krishna teaches that by reflecting, you can obtain progress on the spiritual path.
Lesson 8: The Power Of Mindfulness
Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of getting a hold of your mind. Mindfulness means paying your attention to the present moments and not being distracted. Mindfulness helps you to avoid being consumed by your desires and negative emotions. Focusing your mind on your duties leads to greater effectiveness and efficiency.
Lesson 9: The Importance Of Inner Strength
The importance of inner strength is emphasized by Lord Krishna in various ways in the Bhagavad Gita. Inner strength is essential for spiritual development and self-discovery. Krishna said that inner strength enables you to follow and speak up for what is right (Dharma), even in the face of temptation. It enables you to be independent, making you rely on your own abilities and resources.
Lesson 10: The Power Of Inner Peace
Lord Krishna said that inner peace enables you to remain composed and calm in the face of pain, pleasure, failure, and success. If you want a balanced and peaceful life, you need to attain inner peace first.
NOTE:
“Insaan jab ‘main’ aur ‘mera’ ke sab soch se mukt ho jaata hai, toh use sampoorna shanti milti hai” – from Bhagavad Gita
(When people free themselves from all thoughts of ‘I’ and ‘mine’, then they’ll obtain absolute peace)
A peaceful mind frees you from any kind of distraction, allowing you to focus your efforts on spiritual pursuits. Inner peace enables you to lead a balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling life.
Final Takeaway
Going through the Bhagavad Gita once in your life would do good to you that you don’t expect. It will guide us to the path of personal growth and spiritual development.
Though it is for practicing instead of studying. I believe once is enough for connecting yourself with Bhagavad Gita. You’ll automatically connect with it forever.
The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred book that provides profound knowledge and valuable teachings for spiritual guidance. Its wisdom is not and will never be bound by time. It strengthens our moral values. We will learn the importance of self-reflection, forgiveness, inner strength, and self-control.
