What the Bhagavad Gita Teaches About Life’s Challenges

The Bhagavata Geeta, the ancient Hindu scripture written by sage Vyasa is regarded as a profound tapestry of human emotion, conflict, and philosophical lessons. Penned in the first and second centuries this 700- verse epic resonates with the truth of today’s world. Based on Mahabharata, containing 18 parvas (books), it is filled with significant incidents that leave a profound impact on the cyclic nature of human life. Let's delve deep into this through this article and decode some timeless lessons from it.
महान कल्याण के लिए, मैं अपनी इच्छाओं का त्याग करता हूँ; कर्तव्य के लिए, मैं अपनी नियति बलिदान करता हूँ। मेरा वचन मेरी मर्यादा है, और मेरी मर्यादा शाश्वत है।“For the greater good, I renounce my desires; for duty, I sacrifice my destiny. My word is my honor, and my honor is eternal.”
The vow of Bhisma marks a crucial and iconic incident in the Mahabharata. The narrative begins when Shantanu, the father of Bhisma falls in love with Satyawati, a fisherwomen with extraordinary beauty. When Shantanu proposes to her for marriage, however, her father sets a condition that her biological son will inherit the throne. This brokes the heart of Shantanu as he is bound to make Devavrata (later known as Bhishma) as the ruler. Observing his father’s profound state of sorrow and melancholy, Devavrata takes two consecutive vow-
These vows go beyond mere words; they symbolize the extraordinary sacrifice and superhuman commitment, which takes guts to take. Here, it highlighted the key lessons that sometimes we are so engrossed with the happiness of others, that we often shadow ours! For instance, You got a Job away from your home, but you are so deeply connected with your family that you find rejecting it far better than accepting it. We know the result may hurt sometimes, but the ultimate decision to stay might be driven by the desire to support the family’s well-being which serves the long-term joy.
अनार्यजुष्टम् असद्वृत्तम् प्राज्ञः को नु समाचरेत्।
धर्मं त्यजति यो लोभात् काम-क्रोधवशानुगः॥
"What wise person would engage in an act that is unworthy of noblemen and tainted with unrighteousness? The one who abandons dharma due to greed or is driven by desire and anger is doomed."

The game of dice is an important incident that marks the beginning of the most tragic incident that culminated in the bloodshed conflict“The Kurukshetra War”.In this game, the Kauravas and Pandavas engage in the high stake gamble, what seems like a simple game was a calculated plot to take all the prosperity away from the Pandavas out of jealousy which led to loss of everything including wealth, kingdom, and freedom.

The game highlights the power of manipulation and deceit creating a stark contrast between Dharma (righteousness) which is often represented by Pandavas and Adharma (unrighteous duty) demonstrated by Kauravas. This represents how power struggles driven by selfish motives can cause great suffering.
In life, we often crash with similar situations where our decisions are sometimes influenced by the outer world or sometimes internal desires but above all it depends on us making-decisions mindfully without being pursued by other’s agendas and weighing the consequences carefully. A wise man’s foolish decision without considering the long-term impact often leads to falling into a precarious situation while a person consumed with jealousy and greed ends up destroying themselves.
"न धर्मस्य ग्लानि: कार्या, न चापि सत्य-लोपनं।
धर्मो हि परमो लोके, सत्यमेव परमं धनं॥"
"Let not dharma (righteousness) be destroyed, nor truth be compromised.
Dharma is supreme in this world, and truth is the greatest wealth."

The humiliation of Draupadi is one of the most significant events in the Mahabharata. In the grand court filled with esteemed elders and warriors, she was dragged by her hair and was forced to disrobe in front of everyone. Despite her crying, pleasing and screaming, nobody raised a single voice out of it. The onlookers remain silent because of fear but what saves her is unwavering faith in lord Krishna, who miraculously saved her by providing endless pieces of clothing to save her honor.

But sadly, this miracle happened only in the ancient time of Krishna. In this age, such a response would be nearly impossible to take. The fear of raising a voice led to the crime while the cry for help remains unheard! We are reminded of some real-life tragedies, like the similar gruesome act of the Nirbhaya case where the only justice happened by giving the culprit punishment while faith gives the constant strength to fight against the unjust. The power of unity is another crucial aspect that helps to fast track the justice process challenging the oppressive rule prevalent in society.
Arjun is reluctant to engage in the battlefield because of his emotional attachment to his family, teachers, and friends, the prospect of killing them, even in the name of righteousness, fills him with dread and uncertainty. This dilemma of Arjun made him insecure, because not only would it bring destruction, but also familial ruin could follow. It is this time when Lord Krishna steps in as Arjun’s guide not only to tell him how to act and make decisions but to remind Arjun of his role as a warrior and perform his own duty regardless of personal cost. The conversation underscores the significance of acting purposefully and the practice of detachment."One who is not attached to the fruits of action, and who works as a servant of God, does not incur sin."
Worldly attachment frequently prevents us from acting appropriately in any given circumstance. It prevents one from carrying out their responsibilities, causing tension, worry, and difficulty. A student who travels miles away from home to study serves as an example of this. They have strong emotional ties to their family, which makes them reluctant to spend time with them even though they wish to follow their dreams. It is the moment when one separates from oneself and puts his responsibility first.
"Whosoever, at the end of his life, surrenders to Me with undivided devotion, attains the Supreme Goal."
Have you ever witnessed someone in a hospital praying fervently to preserve the life of a loved one? Or have you ever found yourself in a predicament where you say, "God, please save me this time?" and all of a sudden, positively and occasionally even miracles show up? This is the supremacy of God, and it illustrates how the ultimate aim can be achieved by remembering God and giving oneself up at the end of one's life. A path to devotion may occasionally lead to the solution of life's issues.