The Bhagavad Gita changed my life many years ago, it gave me direction, and purpose and inspired me to live my life without fear, well almost without fear, but definitely with the knowledge that I am not alone and have never been.
The Sage and the Soldier
A brief and gentle telling of the Gita
In a small village nestled at the foot of a great mountain, there lived a young soldier named Arjun. Arjun was brave and skilled, known throughout the land for his valor in battle. Yet, despite his strength, he was often troubled by a deep inner conflict. He had seen the horrors of war and questioned the righteousness of his actions. Was he truly fighting for justice, or was he merely a pawn in a game played by kings?
One day, Arjun decided to seek the counsel of a wise sage who lived in a cave at the top of the mountain. The sage, it was said, had answers to the questions that tormented the hearts of men. After a long and arduous journey, Arjun reached the cave, where he found the sage sitting in deep meditation, his face serene and radiant.
"Great sage," Arjun began, bowing respectfully, "I am lost. I have fought many battles, but now I find myself questioning the purpose of it all. How do I know if what I am doing is right? How do I find peace amidst the chaos of life?"
The sage opened his eyes and smiled gently at Arjun. "Sit, young warrior," he said, motioning to a rock nearby. "Your questions are the very questions that have plagued humanity since the dawn of time. But there is a way to find clarity, even in the midst of turmoil."
The sage then began to tell Arjun the story of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient scripture that took place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where a great war was about to begin. At the heart of this story was another warrior, also named Arjuna, who found himself paralyzed by doubt, just as Arjun was now.
"Arjuna was a mighty warrior, but on the eve of battle, he was filled with despair," the sage explained. "He saw his friends, his relatives, even his teachers on the opposing side, and he was torn between his duty as a warrior and his love for his kin. He did not want to fight. He questioned the morality of war, the meaning of life, and the nature of his existence."
Arjun listened intently as the sage continued.
"In his moment of crisis, Arjuna turned to his charioteer, who was none other than Lord Krishna, the divine incarnation. Arjuna poured out his heart, seeking guidance. And it was then that Krishna revealed to him the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita—a conversation that would resonate through the ages."
The sage looked deeply into Arjun's eyes and said, "Krishna taught Arjuna that life is a battlefield, and each of us has a duty—our Dharma—to fulfill. But more importantly, Krishna revealed that the soul, the true self, is eternal, beyond birth and death. It is not the body that fights or dies, but the eternal soul that merely plays its part in the cosmic dance."
Arjun frowned, still confused. "But how does one reconcile duty with morality? How does one act in this world without being overwhelmed by the consequences of their actions?"
The sage nodded, understanding the young soldier's confusion. "Krishna advised Arjuna to perform his duty without attachment to the results. This is the essence of Karma Yoga—acting selflessly, with a mind focused on the divine, without desire for personal gain. By surrendering the fruits of his actions to the divine, Arjuna could act with righteousness, without being bound by his actions."
The sage's words began to resonate with Arjun. He realized that his turmoil stemmed from his attachment to the outcomes of his battles—whether he would win or lose, whether he would be praised or condemned. But if he could learn to act without attachment, to see himself as a servant of a higher purpose, then perhaps he could find peace.
"Remember, young warrior," the sage concluded, "the Bhagavad Gita teaches us that life is full of challenges and conflicts, but within each of us lies a divine spark, a connection to something greater. When you act in accordance with your Dharma, with selflessness and devotion, you align yourself with the eternal truth. And in that alignment, you find true peace."
Arjun sat quietly for a long time, contemplating the sage's words. Finally, he stood, feeling a sense of clarity and purpose that he had not felt in years. He bowed deeply to the sage.
"Thank you, wise one," Arjun said. "You have given me the courage to face my battles with a new perspective. I will strive to act without attachment, to fulfill my duty with a pure heart."
The sage smiled and placed a hand on Arjun's shoulder. "Go, brave soldier, and remember that the divine is always with you, guiding your path. May you find peace in your actions and wisdom in your journey."
With renewed strength and a calm heart, Arjun descended the mountain, ready to face whatever battles life would bring, knowing that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita would guide him every step of the way.
I hope this brief telling of the Gita has inspired you to learn more...
Here is a link to our course on the Bhagavad Gita that you can explore at your own pace!
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