Bhagavad Gita for the Atheist.
If Gita is to Hindus what Bible is to Christians and Koran is to Muslims, what about the Vedas, Upanishads, Puraranas etc? And why is it so special that the nuclear physicist Robert Oppenheimer, inventor of atom bomb that killed millions of innocent people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, chose to quote from Gita and not from any other philosophical or religious text?
It is said that the 700 verse long Gita ( 1% of the size of Mahabharata — the longest epic poem in the world) is the distillation of five thousand years of Hindu thought. In fact, since the Vedas are often described as timeless (because they contain knowledge of the future and also of the past) the teachings of the Gita equally apply beyond the boundaries of time and age.
There is nothing religious about the Mahabharata. It is a very detailed and long description of a war ( outcome of a property dispute) between cousins, Pandavas and Kauravas, of which the Gita is a Q&A Session between Lord Krishna ( the God) and Arjun ( the Human being). Unlike the Bible and Koran, it is not a set of commandments issued by God to his followers, it is simply an explanation of the nature of the world, undertaken by Lord Krishna to persuade the warrior Arjun to wage a war against his brothers and fulfilling his Dharma.
I have tried to summarise the key teachings of Gita in 10 short paragraphs.
1. Do not judge (Simply observe). Judgement is binary in nature — it classifies people and actions as good or bad, innocent or guilty, right or wrong. The Hindu idea of darshan sees the world as a continuum — an unending series of cause and consequence without boundaries, hierarchies and rules. The good and the bad and the right and wrong can exist separately or they can co-exist and even exist in varying degrees and parts.
2. Human beings are immortal ( Atma lives, only bodies die). There is no heaven or hell in Hinduism, only a series of births and rebirths. This idea eliminates the fear of death given that we are assured of another life. It is both immensely liberating and empowering. Think of it this way; we go to sleep every night and undergo a death-like experience and then wake up next morning without being afraid of sleep. If you were reassured that your death will only lead you to a new life, you would accept death in an entirely different light — perhaps even welcome it.
3. There is no absolute reality (We construct our own individual reality). This allows us not only to be tolerant but also sympathetic to other people’s views and perspectives. Krishna does not expect everyone to experience the world in the same manner. Each one is free to conceive and respond to it in his or her own unique way.
4. Do what you have to do ( Rather than doing nothing at all). Karma is both an action and a reaction. Each act is a fruit of the past and a seed for the future. The results of any action in turn depend on 5(five) things; body, mind, instruments, method and luck. So one is not necessarily completely and absolutely responsible for the fruits of one’s karma and therefore cannot claim credit for it or be solely blamed for it.
5. Become your best selves (while recognising the needs of others to be their best selves too). Discharge your Dharma to create a good society — governed by rules and regulations and accepting trade offs. Dharma should not be confused with self-righteousness which involves judgement of right and wrong, good and bad. It is a duty. A call. A social responsibility.
6. I am that ( you are me). God resides inside us and we are his miniature selves. He is both formless and can exist in various forms. Even those who we consider villains or hold in disdain have God inside them. Unlike in other religions the condemned do not have to seek penance — they only have to improve their karma.
7. Expand your mind ( to accommodate the limited views of others). God is not a feudal lord to whom one submitted. He is a commoner who seeks affections and returns it. True love demands that we contract ourselves so that our lover does not feel inadequate or inferior.
8. We are not Change agents( we are mere instruments of the constantly changing world). Our capabilities are dependent on our natural tendencies which are shaped by our karma. Guna is the nature of the nature and the roots of its dynamism. Guna influences the karma and is in turn influenced by it.
9. I am not my property ( it is only cultural and political in nature). You may value me for what I am and what I do. If you love me focus on who I am — my fears and aspirations and my potential to focus on who you are. The wise want nothing but accept what comes their way letting it pass when it is time to part ways.
10. Existence has no expiry date ( and therefore concept of goals make no sense). It is the pursuits (of social obligations, power and pleasure) that make our life meaningful.
What I find astounding with the Gita is the unparalleled philosophical insights and the secular nature of the discourse expressed in such simple ways. It is not surprising both scientists and religious leaders can quote from it. Its interpretations may be myriad. Its message is the same.
