Those of you familiar with Bhagavad Gita will know that it is the most popular of the ancient Sanskrit texts on yoga and self-realization. Spoken apparently over 5000 years ago at the commencement of a world war, its words may be as fitting for us today as ever. This is because the 700 verses are spoken to the top military general on the battlefield at his most critical hour, the launch of battle.
Today we may be about to enter a world war, as China takes on USA on all fronts, in their unrestricted takeover attempt. Or as the powers that be release operation covid upon us, or as we battle our own inner despair in our personal lives. And we may all be about to face an imminent invasion of our lifestyle and familiar social systems. The war has already begun, and it is at times like these that we need to have our priorities straight and our vision clear.
When Arjuna, the military general, was about to enter the battle, he was overcome with doubt and compassion for his enemy. Now this is initially a pious attitude, one might think, as on the surface it is. Why would we want to enter a hot war when there may be alternative solutions – like surrender?
It is here that Krishna apparently spoke to Arjuna and gave him transcendental vision to see what was really going on. Krishna, in chapter 11, revealed to Arjuna a mystical vision, and convinced him that he was not ultimately in control, even as the general of the winning army. Krishna revealed to Arjuna the truth about how there is a bigger controlling hand, and how every one of us is under the sway of a greater force.
The Mahabharata, from which we get the Bhagavad Gita, is the longest epic poem in history, and the Gita is just a chapter thereof. But it is the most potent spiritual instruction of all, so it is known to be the top reference on the nature of the absolute, of consciousness, time, and destiny, as well as the qualities of life, whether divine or demonic. All of this is mentioned in detail in the Gita.
For example when Arjuna hesitated on the launch of battle, Krishna reminded him in chapter two, text 12
न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः ।
न चैव नभविष्यामः सर्वे वयमतः परम् ॥ १२ ॥
na tv evāhaṁ jātu nāsaṁ
na tvaṁ neme janādhipāḥ
na caiva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ
sarve vayam ataḥ param
“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.”
Translation by Swami A. C. Bhaktivedanta
In other words we are all eternal individuals who have always existed and cannot be slain, so fight on. The soul can never be slain Krishna says in a later verse. Many lives we have had, Krishna continues, he can remember all of then but Arjuna cannot. All of this is to remind the general that it is his destiny to be a general on the battlefield in this life, and that the consequences of him not fighting, are that the kingdom is usurped by the main villains on the planet.
This is the current state of our planet in the war between the two superpowers America and China. It is a war for the domination of the entire globe. And we may hesitate in our resolve to fight for truth, liberty and justice. But if we remember our eternal constitutional position as spirit soul, temporarily in this body at this point in time, but otherwise eternal, we can see it all in clearer perspective.
At different times in history the villains will rise up and desire to usurp the throne. And we may have to give or risk our lives for the sake of liberty or to defend our inalienable human rights. Today may be such a time. And like Arjuna, we need to remember who we really are. This fight may go on repeatedly, generation after generation. And we may live through more lives than one, fighting the good fight.
The 5000 year old text of the Gita is already back then reminding us that we have been living lifetime after lifetime on the battlefield of life. This lifetime may be no different. The time and place may have shifted. Even the human bodily form and family may be totally different, but the soul fights on for truth, justice and liberty.
So the real spiritual warrior, who fights for consciousness, and against tyranny and oppression, may be detached from the current bodily dress, knowing it is one of many, all of which we have forgotten, but which are remembered by the source, by the one original supersoul in the heart of all living entities.
This is the philosophy of Vedanta and of the Gita, as it is, for millennia. Kings and tyrants have come and gone over the millennia but the truth of our identity remains the same as ever, because it is absolute and timeless. When you realize this, or accept the Vedic conclusion, it provides a philosophical attitude to life that allows for peace of mind, even within war.
So remember the words of Krishna to Arjuna and remember your original true constitutional position as eternal consciousness, that cannot be slain and will remain, with lifetime after to lifetime to perfect your missions. Not only is the mission one of defeating tyranny and oppression of humanity but also personal and collective liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death. With this goal of liberation comes a return to our original spiritual personality and identity in the original body – one that is fully conscious and blissful. One from which we never die or take birth here ever again. It’s just a matter of being insightful enough, based on education, to see truth and also to self reflect, and ultimately gain the right perspective of it all. And that perspective and clear vision comes from the words of Krishna in the Gita. So it is said by great sages and mystics for millennia, until today.
If you want to treat “loss of soul”, which is today labelled as depression, then you simply need to inform yourself with wisdom and philosophy. By hearing from the correct source on the science of the soul, of the psyche, you can remember your true identity as a person beyond this temporary physical body/mind machine. You can be reminded by the ancient Sanskrit Vedas that you are “atman”, spirit soul, eternal, full of knowledge and bliss (sat chid ananda).
Use knowledge as your torchlight in the times of darkness and despair. Use knowledge as you sword to slay the ghosts of doubt, despair and depression. This is the original way of the spiritual warrior. And today we are all on the battlefield in the fight for our sanity. The weapons are there. It’s up to us to pick them up. The information is available, simply log in to https://vedabase.io/en/ and you can tap in to all the info you need on consciousness and self-realization. Take it, it’ yours, and it’s free. It will free you. Now you have it.
(image pixabay)
A wonderful commentary and post.
Many thanks River, I'm aiming for your #mentalhealthawareness theme and believe the Vedas are the original psychology texts for us to learn from.
Best wishes
Super inspiring dude!
Thank-you for sharing this much needed wisdom and the online resource of the Vedabase - knowledge to make us stronger for these trying times!
wishing you all the best for the coming new year!
My pleasure @porters, I'm continuing as before with the Gita posts, like the book you transcribed for me into PDF.
Indeed the Bhagavad Gita is one my favorites.
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