Bhagavad Gita’s Wisdom: Time is an Illusion – "तुम भूत का पश्चाताप न करो। भविष्य की चिन्ता न करो। वर्तमान चल रहा है।"

"न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन् नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः। अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे॥"

(“The soul is never born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it cease to be. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval; it is not slain when the body is slain.” – Bhagavad Gita 2.20)

Time is but a fleeting illusion, a mirage that entraps the mind into the cycle of past regrets and future anxieties. The Bhagavad Gita, a timeless scripture, emphasizes the transient nature of time and urges one to dwell in the present, for that is the only reality. Lord Krishna, in his divine wisdom, teaches Arjuna that attachment to what has passed and fear of what is yet to come only serve as distractions from the true purpose of existence—self-realization and inner peace.

"तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।"
(“Therefore, without being attached, constantly perform your duty.” – Bhagavad Gita 3.19)

Our minds often drift to the past, burdened with guilt or nostalgia, and leap toward the future, filled with worries and desires. Yet, the Gita teaches that both past and future are mere projections of the mind—unreal, intangible. Only the present moment holds true significance. Krishna reminds Arjuna that dwelling in the past or worrying about the future only weakens the spirit. True wisdom lies in performing one’s duties without attachment to results.
"योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।"
(“Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment to success and failure.” – Bhagavad Gita 2.48)

Living in the present is the essence of mindfulness. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that clinging to outcomes leads to suffering. Instead of being trapped by the past or longing for the future, one must engage fully in the now, with a detached yet dedicated mindset. The present is where life unfolds, where choices are made, and where self-realization can be attained.
"मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम्।"
(“Having attained Me, the great souls are no longer subject to rebirth in this miserable, impermanent world.” – Bhagavad Gita 8.15)
The concept of time as an illusion is deeply connected with the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara). As long as we remain bound by past karma and future desires, we continue to suffer. True liberation (moksha) is attained when we transcend the illusion of time, realizing the eternal nature of the soul. Krishna assures that those who surrender to the divine consciousness break free from this cycle and attain eternal bliss.
"सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।"
(“Abandon all varieties of duties and surrender unto Me alone. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” – Bhagavad Gita 18.66)

The ultimate teaching of the Gita is surrender—to flow with life, free from the burdens of time. When we align ourselves with divine will, we realize that time is a creation of the material world, while the soul exists beyond it. By surrendering to Krishna’s wisdom, we free ourselves from unnecessary suffering and embrace inner peace.
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।"
(“You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.” – Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

Attachment to material success, relationships, and external validations binds us to the illusion of time. Krishna teaches that true peace is found in detachment—not in renouncing action but in letting go of the results. When we work without expectation, we break free from the chains of the past and future, residing in the eternal present.
"उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।"
(“Elevate yourself through the power of your own mind; do not degrade yourself.” – Bhagavad Gita 6.5)

The mind is both the creator and perceiver of time. When the mind is restless, it fluctuates between memories and anticipations. Through meditation and self-discipline, we can train the mind to reside in the present. Krishna emphasizes the importance of self-mastery, for only a stable mind can experience true freedom from the illusion of time.
"भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः।"
(“Only through devotion can one truly know Me, understand My essence, and enter into Me.” – Bhagavad Gita 18.55)

Awareness is the key to breaking the illusion of time. When we engage in actions with full consciousness, every moment becomes a meditation. The Gita teaches that even mundane tasks, when done with awareness, become pathways to spiritual enlightenment.
"वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय।"
(“Just as a person discards old garments and wears new ones, so does the soul discard its worn-out bodies and take birth in new ones.” – Bhagavad Gita 2.22)

While the physical body is bound by time, the soul is eternal. Recognizing this truth liberates us from fear and attachments. The realization that our true essence is timeless shifts our perspective, allowing us to live with greater serenity and purpose.
"समत्वं योग उच्यते।"
(“Equanimity is called Yoga.” – Bhagavad Gita 2.48)

Inner peace comes not from external circumstances but from a balanced mind. The Gita’s teachings guide us to cultivate equanimity—remaining undisturbed by success or failure, gain or loss, pleasure or pain. By mastering our inner world, we transcend the temporal fluctuations of life.
Time is but a fleeting shadow, a construct of the mind. The Bhagavad Gita urges us to let go of regrets, abandon fear, and live fully in the present. The key to true fulfillment lies not in dwelling on what was or what will be, but in surrendering to what is. By embracing this wisdom, we align with the eternal truth, realizing that beyond the illusion of time, we are infinite, unshaken, and free.

"तुम भूत का पश्चाताप न करो। भविष्य की चिंता न करो। वर्तमान चल रहा है।"
(“Regret not the past, worry not for the future—the present is unfolding.”)