A few days ago, I read a blog by revered spiritual master Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji in the Times of India entitled, “Be a Guru to someone.” The blog set me into a contemplative mode. Together with the Holy Bhagavad Gita, does anyone need a Guru?
As I often mention in my blogs, Sikhs consider their Holy book ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’ as their Guru and revere it by personifying it as a living person. They say: “Guru Granth Sahib Ji dehi Pragat Guru hi Jan,” which translates to “Know the Guru Granth Sahib as the manifest Guru.” It is a highly emotional issue for Sikhs if anyone else claims the stature of a Guru other than Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as no human is to be revered as a Guru after the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Drawing from this reverence for the teachings imbibed in Holy books and scriptures, one might argue that there could be interpreters, revered speakers, revered writers, or revered preachers. However, should spiritual masters or any other person who interprets and elaborates on Holy books like the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, or the Upanishads, or simply provides their interpretation drawing from the timeless wisdom contained in them, be revered like the Supreme Guru Yogeshwar Shri Krishna?
Though it is a matter of individual faith and choice, we shall delve into the logic of accepting the Holy Bhagavad Gita as a life’s and spiritual Guru for one’s life and the ‘Chief Spiritual Master’ for the followers of Hinduism. Those who interpret and bring these teachings to the masses could be considered akin to revered speakers, life’s mentors, or even soul engineers, but fall short of being a Guru.
The Bhagwat Geeta as a Guru
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the Yogeshwar Sri Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. The Gita addresses the moral and philosophical dilemmas faced by Arjuna on the battlefield and provides profound teachings on life, duty, and spirituality. This timeless text offers guidance that remains relevant today, raising the question: Can there be another guru for life’s lessons as well?
Understanding Life’s Purpose and Duty
We start with the most popular and quoted yet little understood and adopted verse from the Bhagavad Gita that emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duty without attachment to the results. Sri Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on his responsibilities and not get swayed by the outcomes, promoting the idea of selfless action. This lesson teaches us to stay committed to our duties and responsibilities, irrespective of the outcomes, which is a universal principle applicable in all aspects of life. Most of us quote it but remain attached to the outcomes of our effort. In Olympic games or any other competition at the international level, all athletes put in their best, yet only a few attain the glory of the podium. Remaining unattached, introspecting, identifying one’s lack of effort and course correction are welcome to do better next time. Yet the outcome doesn’t remain in one’s hand, because:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
The profound wisdom contained in the Gita, therefore, guides us to constantly improve and attain more professionalism and perfection in whatever we do in this world but neither be too happy with a favourable outcome nor get depressed and give up once a work is taken up. This is the profound philosophy that guides people who make history by their deeds regardless of what faith they follow
The Bhagwat Geeta on the Nature of the Self
To deal with the attachment that we develop as humans with our loved ones, the profound philosophy contained in the Bhagavad Gita teaches us to be unattached to do our worldly duties with all the zeal and application of mind. Yet it teaches us to be unattached to relationships. It explains the eternal nature of the soul. It conveys that the soul is never born and never dies; it is eternal and imperishable. This teaching encourages us to understand our true, immortal essence beyond the physical body, fostering a sense of inner peace and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचित् नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे॥ (2.20)
The Balance in Life
In this era where lifestyles have become exceedingly materialistic and consumption-oriented, the Gita teaches us the importance of balance in all aspects of life, including eating, sleeping, and working. Krishna advises maintaining moderation and balance to lead a healthy and happy life. This timeless wisdom is crucial guidance to today’s young professionals for whom achieving a work-life balance is often challenging.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा॥ (6:17)
The Power of Faith and Devotion
Like a true Guru, the Bhagavad Gita guides us to discipline our mind. Sri Krishna compares it to a lamp in a windless place, which does not flicker. This analogy illustrates the steady and unwavering nature of a mind absorbed in meditation and devotion. The verse highlights the importance of cultivating inner peace and concentration through faith and devotion.
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता।
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः॥ (6.19)
One can learn the techniques to achieve a balanced mind with meditation or choose to explore and learn it by oneself. Yet, in my opinion, the stature of the Bhagavad Gita as a Guru, motivating one to attain the path of Yoga or spirituality remains unchallenged.
The Universal Vision
he profound philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita teaches us the concept of seeing oneself in all beings and all beings in oneself. It promotes the vision of unity and equality, urging us to transcend individual ego and embrace a universal perspective. This wisdom fosters compassion, empathy, and a sense of interconnectedness with all life. So powerful is this philosophy that it has the potential to change a terrorist into a normal being if instilled in his or her mind by a capable preacher! That being said, it is not always successful in dislodging the ego from the mind that leads to wars like that of Mahabharata.
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि।
ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥ (6.29)
Pros and Cons of Adopting Bhagwat Geeta as a Timeless Guru
Having argued about the unfathomable capacity of the Bhagavad Gita to guide the human race to a holistic life, including spiritual development, it will be important to examine the pros and cons of adopting this Holy Book as a Timeless Guru.
Pros:
Timeless Wisdom:
The Bhagavad Gita offers timeless and universal teachings relevant across ages. Its principles on duty, righteousness, and the nature of life provide consistent guidance. Interpreters or preachers can only draw from this profound knowledge, often providing an abridged or sometimes distorted version. This is why our culture encourages the practice of Swadhyaya (self-study). Any study is fruitless without understanding. So, let us put our minds to work and be guided by our interpretations rather than those of others.
Impartial Guidance:
Being a text, the Bhagavad Gita provides guidance without personal biases. Unlike human gurus who may have preferences or biases, scripture offers impartial wisdom. While trainers can teach meditation techniques, individuals must develop themselves. The Mahabharata also highlights the extraordinary efforts Arjuna put into training beyond Guru Drona’s teachings. Self-development is required, so why not be guided by the original scripture, study its various interpretations, and adopt the one that appeals to you?
Accessibility:
The Bhagavad Gita is accessible to anyone wishing to read and understand it. This democratizes spiritual knowledge, making it available to a broad audience without an intermediary. Yet, it is not easy to interpret. It took me over two decades to muster the courage to open the first version of the Bhagavad Gita I purchased, titled “Geeta the Mother” by Dnyaneshwar Maharaj in 1973. I finally read it in 1996 after a learned fellow passenger gave an interesting discourse on it during a train journey. Initially, I lacked the confidence to open these profound philosophical books, doubting my ability to understand them at 21. But once I gained confidence at 40, I read and understood several versions. Therefore, while learned preachers can motivate people to read and understand this profound spiritual philosophy, the primary responsibility lies with the individual. This flexibility is the beauty of Hinduism. However, it shouldn’t result in neglecting one’s spiritual development.
Consistency:
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita remain constant over time. Human gurus may evolve in their understanding and teachings, leading to inconsistencies. By reading different interpretations by various scholars, one can find the same verses explained differently. Historically, religious congresses were held to build a common understanding of scriptures. Over time, it became so Sanskrit scholar-centric that common people were alienated from this essential knowledge. Despite the reduced knowledge of Sanskrit and most people’s focus on livelihood, some time should be dedicated to understanding the basics of this profound philosophy and adopting it as a way of life. If not salvation, it offers a tension-free life free from preconceived notions and apprehensions. One can unburden themselves by dedicating all actions, good or bad, to the Supreme:
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् |
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् || 9.27 ||
The Bhagavad Gita advises dedicating all actions, whether mundane activities like eating or significant actions like sacrifices and austerities, to the Supreme Lord. By doing so, one can transcend the karmic effects of these actions and remain free from their burden. This exhortation to practice Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless action, involves performing all duties and actions as an offering to God without attachment to the outcomes.
Self-Reliance:
Relying on a text like the Bhagavad Gita encourages individuals to engage in self-study and introspection, fostering self-reliance in spiritual matters.
Cons:
Lack of Personal Interaction:
A human guru can provide personalized guidance and address specific concerns or questions. The Bhagavad Gita, being a text, cannot interact or adapt its teachings to individual needs. While one is free to follow any interpreter or elaborator of the profound knowledge and revere them like the ‘Rishis’ of old, an interpreter or elaborator cannot attain the stature of Yogeshwar Sri Krishna and be revered similarly as the real Guru.
Interpretation Challenges:
The Bhagavad Gita can be complex and open to various interpretations. Without proper guidance, individuals might misunderstand or misinterpret its teachings. However, this book has been widely studied by many scholars, offering a complete spectrum of interpretations. Using one’s own mind is the best way to understand it.
Emotional Support:
Human gurus can offer emotional support, compassion, and direct encouragement, which a book cannot provide. Personal relationships with a guru can be deeply comforting and motivating. While seeking emotional support from anyone whose interpretations appeal to you is valid, they will still receive reverence short of Yogeshwar Sri Krishna.
Cultural and Contextual Relevance:
While the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings are universal, they were delivered in a specific cultural and historical context. A contemporary human guru can translate these teachings to the present context, making them more relatable.
Dynamic Guidance:
Life is dynamic, and sometimes real-time, adaptive guidance is necessary. A human guru can respond to new challenges and situations in a way a static text cannot. However, the human mind is dynamic. You are free to obtain advice but interpret it in your own manner.
Conclusion:
Adopting the Bhagavad Gita as a Guru offers the advantage of timeless, unbiased wisdom accessible to all. However, it lacks the personal, dynamic, and interactive elements that a human guru can provide. Ideally, a combination of self-study of the Bhagavad Gita and guidance from knowledgeable interpreters or mentors can offer a balanced approach to spiritual growth and understanding.
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