Mrs. Rajashree Birla is the chairperson of the Aditya
Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural
Development
The Asian Age
14
January 2010
Gita
is universal in its appeal. Its teachings are religious
and community agnostic. Recognised as one of the
world’s top most spiritual treatises, the Gita
is a moral compass that guides mankind on the path
of righteousness and truth. The serenity and magnificence
of its conception is unparalleled.
A
contextual reference is appropriate. Known commonly
as the gospel of Lord Krishna, Gita textures the
most profound discourses given by Lord Krishna
to Prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
As
the war between the cousins — the Pandavas
and the Kauravas is about to begin, Prince Arjuna
of the Pandu clan, is struck with a tremendous
sense of despair. This is because he realises
fully well that war can only lead to destruction.
And that too — the destruction of his kith
and kin. He feels that war is futile. It is at
this point that Lord Krishna, who acts as his
charioteer, expounds various principles. The fundamental
premise being that it is a war between right and
wrong — "dharma and adharma".
Between good and evil. Between darkness and light.
Gita thus enshrines principles that are not bound
by time. They have a timeless quality about them.
The
Gita’s spiritual wisdom has embellished the
lives of millions across the globe, giving them
a new perspective. Right from the Father of the
Nation Mahatma Gandhi to Aldous Huxley to Albert
Einstein. Said Mahatma Gandhi — "When
doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me
in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on
the horizon, I turn to Bhagvad Gita and find a
verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to
smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those
who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy
and new meanings from it every day".
Listen
to what Einstein has to say — "When
I read the Bhagvad Gita and reflect about how
God created this universe everything else seems
so superfluous".
And
comments Aldous Huxley — "Gita is one
of the clearest and most comprehensive summaries
of the perennial philosophy ever to have been
done. Hence, it’s enduring value, not only
for Indians, but for all mankind... the Bhagvad
Gita is perhaps the most systematic spiritual
statement of the perennial philosophy".
On
all counts, Gita is the stairway to a higher purpose
in life. It teaches how to transcend oneself through
contemplation, self-control, meditation and compassion
as well. All of which helps quieten the chatter
of the mind, which ceaselessly flips from one
issue to the other. Gita teaches you how to master
the mind through following the path that it enshrines.
It transposes you to an entirely higher plane.
Giving you inner peace and a kind of tranquillity.
Today, more than ever, most people all over the
world are seekers of this inner peace. People
have begun to realise the need for self-control
in the midst of unrelenting stress. We, as a family,
look upon Gita as our spiritual guide. Our aspiration
is to try and reach the exalted level of the true
Karmayogi.
Karmayogi
ethos says that the fruits of our efforts are
not ours to aspire for. We must let them come
from the Lord, whenever He wishes to bestow them
upon us. This is one of the best lessons from
Gita. For in a way it urges us to be totally selfless
in our action, to dedicate our work as an offering
to the Almighty and to enjoy this journey of life
without expectations.
Besides
my husband Adityaji, I have found in pujya
Ma — my mother-in-law, Dr Sarala Birla
and pujya Kakoji, Shri B.K. Birla —
true Karmayogis, who as the Gita says,
"perform their duties equipoised, abandoning
all attachments to success or failure".
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