Bhagavad Gita, song of the Lord, is a seven hundred verse conversation between Lord Krishna and warrior Arjuna at the time of the Kurukshetra battle.

Knowing the background will help us understand the context. Kauravas and Pandavas were cousins. Circumstances so evolved that they had to fight each other. Almost all the known warriors of that time had joined one side or another in this epic battle. Arjuna, an undefeated warrior known for his mastery in archery, was fighting from Pandavas side. He was bestowed with many weapons during sixty years of his life.

Upon entering the battle, Arjuna realised that all his friends, relatives, teachers and elders were standing on one side or another. Having seen the consequences of such war before, he quickly realised that this war would kill almost all of them. This led to his despondency. He dropped his bow and arrow in the chariot and sat down.

Krishna tried to nudge him saying that this type of attitude is not appropriate for a warrior like him. But that simple nudge didn’t move Arjuna. Thus starts the Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna explains in detail various principles of this existence, not only to help Arjuna at that moment but also the entire humanity.

Bhagavad Gita was born in the battle field and the battle field can be taken as a metaphor for the serious problems faced by us during our lives. There is another conversation called the Uddhav Gita which is the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam. This conversation is between Lord Krishna and his childhood friend Uddhav who was also in despondency when the latter realised that Krishna is leaving him. While the Bhagavad Gita can be taken as ‘war time’ advice the Uddhav Gita can be taken as ‘peace time’ advice. These two conversations complement each other. Together, they form a basis to understand the principles of this existence. By aligning ourselves with these principles, we can lead friction free and a joyful life.

We need to keep some basic facts in mind to understand these principles. Firstly, this conversation is contextual while the principles are eternal. Krishna’s explanation reflects the state of mind of Arjuna as well as the practices and belief systems followed at that time. As a result, it appears that there is no clear cut demarcation of issues or concepts which we usually find in text books.

Secondly, the conversation happens at various levels of awareness. Sometimes, Krishna comes as a human being and at that level understanding is easier for us. At that level He gives easy examples such as a tortoise in the context of withdrawing senses from sense objects, a river and ocean in the context of desires disappearing in the mind of a yogi like rivers loose their existence when they enter ocean, a lotus leaf and water in the context of non-attachment etc. Some times as He presents himself as Paramatma and at that level things become difficult to understand as we are completely unaware of them.

Thirdly, Bhagavad Gita is a text book from kindergarten to postgraduation. In one text of seven hundred verses, simple principles to complex ones are explained. It is not that we should master all the principles. If even one of them is realised, it would lead to mastering of all of them automatically.

If we take examples of mathematics, one starts with simple addition, multiplication etc. Subsequently, one moves to algebra and finally to calculus. Interestingly, all of them represent awareness relative to the capacity of the student. Calculus is needed to solve complex problems and algebra might not be useful for these problems. Similarly, in biology one learns about different human organs and their functions. As one moves higher classes, one would understand the interdependence of these organs.

In the first reading of the Bhagavad Gita, it is advisable to grasp the principles which can be easily understood and then go for subsequent readings. When our own understanding and awareness improve through subsequent readings as well as life experiences, clarity comes even in the case of complex principles.

For example, karma (action) is explained in the beginning which is easy to understand, but when niyat karma (prescribed actions) are introduced, it presents a lot of difficulties to comprehend what is prescribed action and what is not. When Krishna says all karma are blemised, difficulty reaches next kevel.

Similarly, life presents simple to complex problems and dilemmas. A simple issue doesn’t require much of expertise to handle, but a complex issue needs understanding, awareness, skills and attitude at a higher level.

Fourthly, the existence or universe never gives us any preachings. It puts us into different situations and from the experiences we gain out of these situations, it makes us learn about natural principles that govern this universe like the natural law of gravity. Bhagavad Gita is a rare dialogue where ‘the very existence’ came as Krishna and explained these principles himself to help us understand them easily.

The fifth difficulty is our divisive mind which prevents us from seeing the whole truth. If we have to embrace existence or be one with it, we should embrace the whole of it. This includes what we believe as well as what we don’t believe in. It includes both the praise and criticism we receive. It includes all people and situations that are described as good or bad.

For example, Krishna says He is creation as well as destruction, birth as well as death and sat (reality) as well as asat (illusion). Krishna is not here to support our belief systems nor Gita is a conversation to justify our belief systems. He simply presents the principles that govern this existence. This is the bravest approach whether we are able to inculcate it or not.

Finally, the Bhagavad Gita is not about participating in the war. Gita about renouncing our hatred while performing karma as we are just an instrument in the hand of the almighty, nimitta-matra. It is a matter of fact that after explaining the Gita, Krishna gave a choice to Arjuna to do what he wished to do. The Bhagavad Gita is about doing the job at hand to the best of our abilities, without hatred and attachment.

We need to keep in mind all these difficulties while approaching the Bhagavad Gita.