Living the Bhagavad Gita: Lessons Beyond Time

Janmashtami celebrates Krishna’s birth, but more importantly, it reminds us of the eternal wisdom he shared in the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is not just a religious scripture — it is a dialogue that bridges philosophy, psychology, ethics, and even cosmology. Its teachings continue to guide us in personal struggles, relationships, and our understanding of the universe itself.

1. Fight Your Own Battle

Krishna reminds us that while divine guidance is always there, no one can perform our duty for us. We must rise and act ourselves.

📖

“उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् ।

आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥” (6.5)

Uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet,

ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ.

---

2. Truth Over Attachment

When personal relationships clash with truth, righteousness must prevail. Arjuna’s hesitation was natural, but Krishna reminded him of his higher duty.

📖

“स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥” (3.35)

Swadharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ, paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ.

---

3. War is the Last Option

Conflict should always be the final choice, after attempts at peace. But if justice is at stake, one must not retreat.

📖

“युद्धे चाप्यपलायनं दानमीश्वरभावश्च ।” (18.43)

Yuddhe chāpy apalāyanaṁ dānam īśvarabhāvaś ca.

---

4. Ego Has No Place

The cosmic form (Vishvarupa) reveals how tiny we are before the vastness of time and creation. Ego dissolves before infinity.

📖

“कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत् प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः ॥” (11.32)

Kālo ’smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho lokān samāhartum iha pravṛttaḥ.

---

5. Enjoy Life with Awareness

The Gita teaches balance — perform your duties, but also embrace joy, harmony, and a healthy rhythm in life.

📖

“युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।

युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥” (6.17)

Yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu,

yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā.

---

6. The Gita on Science and Cosmology

The Gita is not just a guide for life, but also reflects deep truths about the universe, resonating with modern cosmology.

Cyclic Universe

📖

“भूतग्रामः स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते ।

रात्र्यागमेऽवशः पार्थ प्रभवत्यहरागमे ॥” (8.19)

Bhūtagrāmaḥ sa evāyaṁ bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate,

rātryāgame ’vaśaḥ pārtha prabhavaty ahar-āgame.

Time as a Cosmic Force

📖

“कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्...” (11.32)

Kālo’smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit…

Infinite Worlds (Multiverse)

📖

“सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् ॥” (5.29)

Sarvaloka-maheśvaram.

Unity of Energy and Matter

📖

“प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥” (3.33)

Prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati.

This Janmashtami, let’s not only remember Krishna’s birth — let’s live his wisdom, in our choices and in our understanding of the universe.