The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a legacy of India’s cultural history and a scripture for the welfare of all humanity. This statement has come from none other than Arif Mohammed Khan, currently the Governor of Kerala, whose other identity is that he is a well-known scholar of Islam as well as Indian philosophy, known for his strong views on religious reforms. Speaking at the 9th International Gita Conference on the theme ‘Balanced Nature-Pure Environment Based on Srimad Bhagavad Gita’ organised at Kurukshetra University as part of the International Gita Mahotsav, Khan also said the Gita plays an important role in environmental conservation, and it is essential to spread its environmental protection message worldwide. Emphasising that it encapsulates the essence of the ‘Upanishads’ and Vedic texts, Khan went on to say that knowledge in the Gita guides people to the right path in life, in the process helping in overcoming confusion, dilemmas, and doubts. It has been well accepted that the Bhagavad Gita can help people overcome fear and self-doubt by connecting with their true nature and inner strength, apart from helping people recognise their eternal soul and face challenges with courage. Moreover, the Bhagavad Gita can help people find their purpose and live it fully by encouraging them to live with integrity, honesty, kindness, discipline, strength, and purity. Considered to be the essence of Vedic knowledge, the Bhagavad Gita can also help people understand how to handle that knowledge apart from helping develop an unbiased perspective of themselves and the world around them. Leading universities and management schools across the globe have meanwhile considered the Bhagavad Gita as a wonderful textbook for management and leadership studies, a book that can help people in developing mental clarity, concentration, and memory, apart from helping improve their ability to recall information. The Bhagavad Gita is a dynamic tapestry of teachings that can help people of all backgrounds navigate the world. There is no specific time to read the Bhagavad Gita, but it can be read whenever one feels comfortable as long as one’s attention is not disturbed.