How Does the Bhagavad-Gita Reveal Fundamental Teachings of Hinduism - Essay Example

How does the Bhagavad-Gita reveal fundamental teachings of Hinduism expressed in lyrical format? Poetic expression is an integral part of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism because most of the sacred texts related to Hinduism are composed in lyrical format. The core concept of the Mahabharata, especially the themes discussed in Bhagavad-Gita, is interconnected with the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. So, the revelation of the major themes discussed in Bhagavad-Gita is helpful to unearth the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. To be specific, Bhagavad-Gita, which is in the form of sermon from the God (Lord Krishna), tends to reduce confusion and ethical predicament faced by Arjuna (the Pandava prince). When this sermon is generalized to the wider context of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism, one can easily identify that Yoga or selfless action is helpful to attain ‘moksha’ or enlightenment. Thesis statement: The fundamental teachings (theories) of Hinduism (say, yoga, karma/dharma and selfless action to attain the divine) are revealed through Bhagavad-Gita because it deals with the scope of the same in human life (special references to Bhagavad-Gita). The fundamental teachings of Hinduism expressed in lyrical format One can see that the fundamental teachings of Hinduism are expressed in lyrical format. For instance, the sacred texts/works in Hinduism like the Ramayana (the story of Rama’s journey), the Mahabharata (related to the dynastic struggle in ancient India), and the Puranas (related to spiritual and theoretical concepts in Hinduism) are expressed in lyrical format, especially in Sanskrit. So, lyrical format is the foundation of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism because the same deeply influenced the oral tradition of chanting mantras in Hinduism. Within this context, the fundamental teachings of Hinduism expressed in lyrical format include: yoga, karma/dharma and the importance of selfless action in human life to attain the divide power or the Brahman. First of all, yoga or unselfish action without considering the consequence is the most important aspect of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. A yogi (a person who is ready to discard worldly pleasures) can attain moksha because he or she is ready to shed ego. Karma or the amassed liability of one’s actions in day to day life is another important element of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. To be specific, karma hinders one from attaining moksha. Within this context, dharma or duty mindedness can help one to escape from the cyclic process of birth, death and rebirth. Another important element of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism is selfless action. One can easily identify that Hinduism provides ample importance to selfless action, not idleness. From a different angle of view, yoga and dharma lead one towards selfless action and salvation. Revelation of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism through Bhagavad-Gita The most important elements of the revelation of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism through Bhagavad-Gita can be divided into three: yoga, karma/dharma and the importance of action. A. Yoga The most important aspect of Bhagavad-Gita which reveals the fundamental teachings of Hinduism is yoga. In Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna motivates prince Arjuna by pointing out the importance of yoga in one’s life. When Arjuna hesitates to be the part of the Kurukshetra war against his relatives, Lord Krishna motivates him by creating awareness on the importance of action in human life. Selfishness cannot help one to attain moksha. Instead, selfless action can help one to realize the eternal truth/enlightenment. Mehta (2005) makes clear that “according to Gita, work should be performed for its own sake, with whole-hearted attention, unaffected by any thought of success or failure, profit or loss, honor or dishonor, fame or loss of fame etc” (p.39). Yoga is interconnected with devotional service and action in life. Other elements or steps which can help one to be a yogi are meditation and knowledge. To be specific, devotional service is an innovative mode of action that leads to moksha. Besides, meditation and knowledge are helpful for an individual (say, yogi) to focus upon a specific task (say, meditation) in life. In addition, yoga discards the service to one’s own ego. Instead, yoga accepts one’s action which is according to the divine will of the supreme power. When one is able to detach one’s self from ego, one can attain salvation. So, yoga is the core concept of Bhagavad-Gita which reveals the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. B. Karma and dharma In Hinduism, karma and dharma are considered as different sides of the same coin (say, life). The Bhagavad-Gita provides ample importance to karma in the life cycle of human beings. Karma or amassed debt originating from one’s deeds hinders one from entering the realm of the ultimate reality. In Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna’s karma in his past life forces him to fight against his relatives. Now, Arjuna’s dharma is to fight against his relatives and to attain salvation. Jhingran (1989) states that “in the famous verses exhorting men to follow their respective caste duties the Gita has used both terms, karma and dharma, to indicate one’s socio-moral duties” (p.59). One cannot escape from one’s amassed debt and one should act according to one’s karma. So, dharma can be considered as an opportunity to act according to the divine power and to realize the essence of human life. But selfish attitude (here, Arjuna’s hesitation to fight with his relatives) may not help one to escape from one’s karma. Instead, one must shed one’s ego and accept dharma. This selfless acceptance and action is the core of dharma in Bhagavad-Gita. When one is ready to accept dharma as a duty that can get rid of karma, the real aim of life is fulfilled. In short, Bhagavad-Gita reveals the essence of karma and dharma as the cause and effect of good/evil deeds in human life as a whole. C. The importance of action The other religions (Buddhism and Jainism) which originated from Hinduism provide ample importance to renunciation or the rejection of worldly pleasures. But Hinduism does not discard action in human life. Instead, the fundamental teachings of Hinduism are based upon action without selfish motive. Within this context, Bhagavad-Gita can be considered as one of the best examples which reveal the importance of action in the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. The yoga, karma and dharma are connected with action and help one to realize the ultimate truth. In Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna’s words on the importance of action to motivate Arjuna can be generalized to the context of human life. In addition, action is not related to violence because Lord Krishna’s aim is to shed Arjuna’s fear and hesitation to act. In Bhagavad-Gita, action is interconnected with selfless service. Fosse (2007) points out Lord Krishna’s words to Arjuna in Bhagavad-Gita as “You must perform a customary action, for this is better than inaction” (p.30). One can see that readiness to serve others without selfish motive can help one to realize the importance of action without violence. Besides, mediation plays an important role in selfless service or action. From a different angle of view, meditation leads to self-control and action without violence. All these concepts discussed in Bhagavad-Gita lead to self realization or enlightenment, which is the core element of fundamental teachings of Hinduism expressed in lyrical format. Summing, fundamental teachings of Hinduism explore the possibilities of human life. Besides, lyrical form is the literary foundation of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. As a lyrical work, Bhagavad-Gita within the Mahabharata provides detailed explanation of the fundamental teachings (theories) and reveals the essence of the same without ambiguity. In Bhagavad-Gita, the essence of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism like yoga, karma/ dharma and action are revealed by Lord Krishna, and this revelation can be generalized to the wider context of day to day life. In short, Bhagavad-Gita can be considered as an innovative medium which reveals the fundamental teachings of Hinduism expressed in lyrical format. References Fosse, L. M. (2007). The Bhagavad Gita: the original Sanskrit and an English translation. Woodstock, NY: YogaVidya.com. Jhingran, S. (1989). Aspects of Hindu morality. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publ. Mehta, J.M. (2005). The Wisdom of the Gita. New Delhi, India: Pustak Mahal. Read More