Monday, August 27, 2018

The Bhagavad Gita and its relevance in todays world


( based on the pravachans of Gurudev Swami Divyachetnanandji Maharaj)                       

   ॐ परम् तत्त्वाय नारायणाय गुरुभ्यो नमः  




The Bhagavad Gita starts with the words “Dharma Kshetre Kuru Kshetre”.  Kshetra means a place and kuru means doing. The Bhagavad Gita was set in the place where actions were done for Dharma. What is Dharma? “Dhaarayati Sa Dharma – that which is worth adopting is Dharma”, or, in other words that concept, by adopting which, we become one with God is Dharma.



In real life, we are all constantly fighting the Mahabharat. This war is being fought within us. Both the daivi (divine) forces and the aasuri (evil) forces are battling within us and the Kurukshetra is our mind.  The truth is we look for enemies outside, but most of our enemies are within. We fight with laziness, lethargy, procrastination, jealousy, anger, hatred, intolerance, prejudice, fear, selfishness etc. All these enemies hold back our progress, totally destroying our peace of mind and preventing us from leading a perfect life.



The last line of the Bhagavad Gita is :


“Yatra Yogeshwara Krishna, 
Yatra Paartho Dhanur Dhara, 
Tatra Shrir-Vijayo Bhootir
 Dhruva Neetir Matir Mama” 
  • Here Krishna is being referred to as Yogeshwar. Yogeshwar, or ishwara of yoga, is Shiva. This line means wherever Krishna is present in his Yogeshwar or Shiva like form, controlling all his senses, and ready to work for the welfare of all. This is the real meaning of a Yogi. 
  • Arjun is called Parth. Parth means pritha putra. Pritha or related to the Earth, putra or son. Dhanurdhar means one who is holding the bow in his hand. Arjuna has lifted up his bow ready to let pull the string and launch the arrows. He is poised and ready to battle. Just before this he had said to Krishna” O Lord, I will do as you bid me to”. 
  • Vijay means Victory,  Shree means, wealth and opulence, Neeti means righteous behavior, Bhooti means exceptional power, Dhruva Matir Mama means this is my strong opinion.

A simple translation is - where Lord Krishna, in his Yogeswar form and Arjun as Parth, armed and poised for battle are present, there will certainly be opulence, victory, prosperity, exceptional power and righteousness. This is my opinion.

In other words, when we have controlled our minds and senses and are armed and ready to fight for dharma there will always be opulence, victory, prosperity, exceptional power and righteousness for us.

The Bhagavad Gita is not an epic poem or a story from the past. It is all about dharma, the conflict around dharma, the dilemma and the personal choices one faces. Therefore its teachings are relevant today, tomorrow and will remain relevant in all the centuries to come.  


Jai Gurudev
Jai Shri Krishna