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Bhagavad Gita: The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita means “the song of the lord”. It is a 700-verse (sloka) text found in the Bhishma Parva of the great Hindu epic Mahabharata. Lord Krishna narrated the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna while he was in a dilemma to fight with his own relatives and elders. It was then Lord Krishna explained the all-encompassing transcendental wisdom to the warrior prince and motivated him to fight on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. As Krishna offers Arjun a plethora of practical and spiritual guidance, he also discusses karma, the Self, the Supreme Self, the purpose of yoga, the distinction between our material and Self, the influence of our environment on consciousness, and the path to realising the perfection of existence. 

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is known as the life’s manual. The Bhagavad Gita contains numerous lessons from Lord Krishna that followers can put to use to live prosperous lives. On the occasion of Gita Mahotsav, which is known as the birth anniversary of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita let us go through 7 key teachings from the holy scripture that will help you transform your life for the greater good. 

The most significant Upanishad in Vedic literature, the Bhagavad Gita, is narrated by Lord Krishna and is considered the foundation of all Vedic knowledge. (Image Source: ISKCON Bangalore)

Bhagavad Gita: 7 Key Teachings From The Holy Scripture 

1. Accept Life As It Is - Recognise that life is what it brings. Have the ability to carry on. Just put whatever it is you are complaining about to rest. Things must be taken deliberately by you.  Let go and trust that there is a reason for everything that occurs. Neither the past nor the future are under your control. Learn to make the most of the moment you have because it is all you have. 

2. Control Your Mind Other Than It Having Control Over You - "Your mind is accountable for your enslavement and for your liberation," the Gita asserts. Your thoughts are always evolving. Your mind will befriend and assist you if it has received proper training via sadhana, or spiritual activities. If not, your thoughts act against you. 

3. End The Suffering - Arjuna is initially hurt by Lord Krishna when he remarks, "What a coward you are to want to run from the battlefield?" Arjuna doesn't dispute, though. Don't give up when you're hurt. Examine the circumstances. Know that there's a valid reason if the actions of a wise person or someone you hold in high esteem cause you pain.

4. Accept The Law Of Change - All of life's events come and go in the same manner that air comes and sweeps everything away. But the most important thing is to keep going, work hard, and avoid becoming trapped. You will undoubtedly receive whatever is rightfully yours. 

5. Practice Nishkama Karma - The path to liberation is Nishkama-Karma, which is an action performed without attachment to the results of one's deeds. Karma yoga emphasises carrying out tasks with full accountability

6. Fight Against Your Negative Tendencies First - Arjuna receives a command from Lord Krishna to battle while maintaining peace. Lord Krishna advises him to purify his inner state in the first place. After you cleanse yourself, fight for justice and maintain composure instead of using hatred as your weapon.

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7. Respect Your Life - Eight elements are listed in the Bhagavad Gita as constituting the universe: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether, Mind, Intelligence, and Awareness. The environment, the physical body, prana, or energy, the mind, and consciousness are the five sheaths that encase human existence. Thus, every one of us is a unique component of the cosmos, and the universe as a whole is made up of us. Therefore, we must respect our existence.