Gita Updesh: In Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the essential scriptures. It consists of 18 chapters and 700 verses, elaborately describing the paths of Dharma Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. People read the Bhagavad Gita to attain liberation. Essentially, this scripture is based on the dialogue between Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna. During that time, Madhava advised that humans should constantly strive without worrying about the results of their actions. The battle was fought between two families, representing righteousness and unrighteousness. Arjuna was quite perplexed during this time. Therefore, to guide him towards victory, Krishna manifested his universal form and imparted invaluable teachings on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. By following these teachings, the Pandavas achieved victory over the Kauravas. Let us delve deeper into why Lord Sri Krishna advised Arjuna not to mourn anyone’s death.
The Cause of Human Suffering
“Jatas tasya hi druvo mrityur, druvam janma mritasya cha.”
According to Acharya Chanakya, there are four virtues that a person must possess. Let us understand the meaning of this verse from Chanakya Niti.
“Tasmadapariharya arthe na tvam shochitum arhasi.”
This verse suggests that the birth and death of a person are inevitable. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that there is no need to grieve over unavoidable causes. It is an integral part of the cycle of life. Therefore, apart from sorrow, humans will gain nothing more.
Acceptance of Suffering
During the Mahabharata war, Arjuna experienced deep sorrow upon losing his loved ones. In this situation, Lord Krishna explained to him that every experience and moment of life leads towards death. Hence, accepting suffering is the best course of action. Krishna advised Arjuna to remain steadfast in his duties and encouraged him to fulfill his responsibilities through the path of Karma Yoga. This imbued Arjuna with the strength to face his sorrows, and he became committed to fulfilling his duties on the battlefield.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us the importance of accepting the inevitability of life and death. It encourages us to focus on our duties without being attached to the results, thereby transcending the cycle of suffering. Just as Arjuna found solace and strength through Lord Krishna’s teachings, we too can navigate the challenges of life with resilience and determination.