What is Bhagavad Gita and Why is it considered to be the back and bone of the Hindu Mythology?

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a dialogue between Prince Arjun and the god Krushna, who serves as his charioteer. The dialogue takes place on the battlefield just before the Kurukshetra War, where Arjun is filled with doubt and moral dilemma about fighting in the war.

Krushna imparts spiritual wisdom and guidance to Arjun, addressing his concerns about duty, righteousness, and the nature of life and death. The Gita covers a wide range of philosophical and ethical topics, including the concepts of dharm (duty/righteousness), karm (action and its consequences), yoga (the path to spiritual realization), and bhakti (devotion).

The Bhagavad Gita has been highly influential not only within Hinduism but also in the broader philosophical and spiritual landscape. It has been studied, commented upon, and revered by thinkers, philosophers, and spiritual leaders across the world for its profound teachings on life, duty, and the pursuit of spiritual truth.

The Story 

When Arjun the Pandav sees his forefathers, teachers, and brothers on the opposite side of the battle during the Dharam Yudh, he drops his weapons in surrender. It is then that Krushna, Arjun’s charioteer, reveals himself to be the true creator of the universe. Krushna demonstrates divine presence by saying, “Though I am unborn, I come into being in generation after age, whenever dharma fades and adharma rises’ ‘ (Gita, chapter 4). This is the first expression of divine descent, also known as avatar.

The dialogue that then occurs between Krushna and Arjun leads to the telling of the Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is a collection of Arjun’s queries and moral dilemmas, as well as Krushna’s responses and insights on various philosophical topics. It covers a broad range of topics, out of which the five main are:

1. God
2. The Living Beings
3. The Material World
4. Time and lastly
5. Karma

The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Indian epic Mahabharat, but it’s not attributed to a single author. Its authorship is traditionally ascribed to the sage Vyas, who is also credited with composing the Mahabharat itself. However, it’s important to note that the Bhagavad Gita represents a dialogue between Prince Arjun and Lord Krushna, rather than being solely the work of Vyas. It’s believed to have been written down by sages who compiled the Mahabharat, likely over centuries, drawing from oral traditions. So, while Vyas is traditionally regarded as the compiler of the Mahabharat and thus the Bhagavad Gita, its teachings are considered to be timeless and divine in nature, with Krushna’s wisdom being the central focus. Despite being a part of the Mahabharat, it is studied as an individual text and is an integral part of our culture and history.

The Breakdown

Consisting of 700-verses and divided between 18 chapters, Bhagavad Gita is a 1400 word long poem dated to around the 1st millennium BCE. Revolving around the themes of love, knowledge, and duty (or action), the Gita speaks of dharma, which is the proper order that sustains the universe. It is a blend of Hindu notions concerning dharma, bhakti, and yogic moksha goals. Set in the framework of dialogue, initially, the Gita was passed on from generation to generation orally. Known as the spiritual dictionary, following the Bhagavad Gita leads you to the ultimate salvation.

The Learnings

The Bhagavad Gita imparts numerous profound teachings and lessons that are relevant to life, spirituality, and ethics. Here are some key learnings from the Gita:

1. Duty and Responsibility (Dharm): One of the central themes of the Gita is the concept of dharma, or duty. Krushna advises Arjun to fulfill his duty as a warrior without attachment to the results. This underscores the importance of performing one’s duty diligently and selflessly, regardless of the outcome.
2. Detachment and Renunciation: While emphasizing the importance of duty, the Gita also teaches the value of detachment from the fruits of one’s actions. Krushna advises Arjun to act without attachment to success or failure, emphasizing the need to remain unaffected by the dualities of life.
3. Equality and Non-Discrimination: Krushna teaches that all beings are essentially equal and deserve equal respect and compassion. This message promotes tolerance, inclusivity, and the recognition of the divine in all living beings.
4. Self-Realization and Spirituality: The Gita presents various paths to spiritual realization, including the paths of knowledge (jnana yoga), devotion (bhakti yoga), and action (karma yoga). It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, introspection, and spiritual growth as essential aspects of human life.
5. Mind Control and Discipline: Krushna advises Arjun to control his mind and senses through discipline and practice. The Gita teaches the importance of mastering one’s thoughts and emotions to attain inner peace and stability.
6. Importance of Faith and Surrender: Krushna encourages Arjun to have faith in him and surrender to his divine will. This teaches the value of trust, surrender, and devotion in navigating life’s challenges and uncertainties.
7. Eternal Nature of the Soul: The Gita expounds on the eternal nature of the soul (atman) and its relationship with the Supreme Soul (Brahman). It teaches that the soul is immortal and transcends birth and death, emphasizing the need to identify with the eternal rather than the ephemeral.
8. Action without Inaction, and Inaction without Action: The Gita resolves apparent contradictions between action and inaction by teaching that one can perform actions without being attached to their fruits. It highlights the importance of taking decisive action when necessary while also recognizing the value of contemplation and non-action in certain situations.

These are just a few of the many profound teachings that can be gleaned from the Bhagavad Gita. Its timeless wisdom continues to inspire seekers of truth and spiritual seekers across the world. The biggest lesson that the Bhagavad Gita imparts is the one of Karm. Do your duty without worrying about the results, without greed, without lust, and without anger. Change is the law of the universe and the only way through which one can move forward in life.

If read and followed closely, then Bhagavad Gita has the power to transform your life. The book does not insist on a single correct route to spirituality. It openly synthesizes and accepts a variety of lifestyles, harmonizing spiritual goals through action (karma), knowledge (gyaana), and devotion (bhakti). The narrative is such that it may be applied to any situation, and it grapples with issues such as “who we are, how we should live our lives, and how we should act in the world.”