What if I tell you that Bhagvad Gita is not a religious text? Yes, you heard it right. It's not a religious text but it's the world's first life guide. This thousand years old book is still relevant in this modern age. So, does that mean that today's youth can learn something from Bhagvad Gita? Let me tell you about its 3 lessons which are my favourite.
1. Let's talk about being Arjun
We all have some anxiety in our minds when we deal with the easiest exam papers according to teachers but the toughest one for us. Like us even Arjuna in Kurukshetra was hesitant and doubted his capabilities. Like some of us Arjun had also accepted his defeat without even fighting for it. He had questions about whether he could fight against his own guru. Then our mentor Krishna made Arjun understand that no individual is above knowledge and knowledge is the world's biggest strength. Dronacharaya was a very good teacher but Arjun couldn't just become the world's best archer due to him. Arjun devoted and pursued his life to knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge helped him become capable. For we students, studies are the training ground and knowledge prepares us for a war called exam. To win over this war we need to have a weapon of knowledge of the subject and knowledge of oneself.
2. Distractions
Our world these days is filled with distractions. The phone we used in study during lockdown is the same phone filled with multiple distractions. I am not asking you to spend your time wondering how can Bhagvad Gita teach us how to not get addicted to phone because I am here with your answers. According to lord Krishna, we have 3 distinct qualities i.e., Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. Tamasik means short term pleasure like addiction of phone, social media, etc. Rajasik are the things we do for our entertainment. Satvik are the things that are difficult for us to do. Gita tells us that we need to balance these three qualities. We should set our goal to reduce the Tamasik qualities. I know the difficult things bring joy but we can make it fun right. This is what Gita tells us to increase your interest in Satvik things.
3. Failure
We live in a world where competition demoralizes some of us. Shri Krishna told Aurjun that results don't depend on your effort alone but they depend on many things that are not in your control. He teaches us to not only work for results but work for the right reasons. We should work hard because that is the right path to move forward. And, as mentioned in three idiots, "kamyaab hone ke liye nahi kaabil hone
Ke liye padho, success ke piche nahi excellence ka picha karo, success jhak maar ke tumhare piche aayegi". Not even trying for the fear of bad result is foolishness. So just keep giving your best.
Yes, Gita is too old for today's generation but its knowledge contains no expiry dates. Lastly, if you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl.
But whatever you have to do, you have to keep moving forward -By Martin Luther King.
Name: Garima Bhagat
Grade: XI'B'