Bhagvad Gita acts on various levels of our conscious and physical being in improving, modulating and strengthening it. The actual conscious living entity encased in layers of gross and subtle body needs help at multiple levels during its journey through this world. The material world is an unnatural, incompatible place for the spiritual particle (soul). Therefore, it needs help from its original source, the Supreme Person to guide it through this journey. Bhagvad Gita helps with all the various aspects of our existence in the material world.
Thus, depending on the consciousness or understanding- different people apply Bhagvad Gita to a certain layer of their existence. There are numerous ways to approach this ancient wisdom. But the fundamental aspects that are often prominent in commentaries and teachings are:
Motivational:
(Better experience of life)
This is the most popular aspect of the application and understanding of this ancient Vedic text. Many great scholars, scientists, politicians and celebrities attribute their success to the wisdom given by Krishna in Bhagvad Gita. These are the important personalities that have influenced the trajectory of the world’s history with their great contributions. Many leading universities, schools, leaders teach the content of Bhagvad Gita via motivational techniques to inspire people into improving their lives.
This approach addresses the mental and physical burden of an embodied soul so that they shed that burden to achieve their greatest potential in this life. Essentially, this makes it easy for soul to survive in the world. Despite being of immense material value, this application will ultimately keep the soul engaged in this world.
Instructional:
(a better human)
Krishna has given numerous instructions in Bhagvad Gita. Their application enables soul to live a more regulated, disciplined life, full of great values. Thus, soul follows a code of conduct appropriate for human body, e.g., control of mind, speech, body, essential values to inculcate, foods to eat etc. These directives help embodied souls to enjoy a healthier body and mind and bring them to a happier, calmer, more optimistic platform.
A call of love
Both these understandings of Bhagvad Gita help souls to fulfill numerous desires that they have inspired during their time within the body. Thus, keeping soul on the material platform of bodily engagements while improving the circumstances of the physical space they inhabit. In simple terms, these approaches improve one’s experience of life and make one ‘a better human (a gentleman)’, but not a Devotee. However, Bhagvad Gita adds much more value to our human life than to use it as a regular self-help book of good habits, virtues, qualities etc.
Aside from these widely used motivational and instructional values of Bhagvad Gita, there lies a deeper, more confidential understanding within the middle few chapters of Bhagvad Gita. Therein lies the heart of Krishna; an intimate call of love to the separated souls.
Devotional:
(Highest aspiration)
This is the main sentiment that needs to be invoked through this sacred, divine text where the Supreme is calling the soul back to Him through numerous verses. Although Bhagvad Gita presents very introductory understanding of the devotional aspect of a living being’s existence. This is still the most vital principle as this re-ignites the love for the Supreme person. This fuels the hankering to return back to Lord. Devotional service or Bhakti yoga is the highest and only valuable aspiration that soul can inspire and cultivate while trapped in the body.
Although other approaches make one’s material life comfortable and physical space worthy, they miss the point of this beautiful ‘Song of the Lord’. Song was sung to call the souls back to the Lord. Many a commentary on Bhagvad Gita fail to do justice to this aspect and nourish only the motivational, instructional needs of the soul. But they ‘miss the mark’ if they do not add the most essential ingredient of ‘love for godhead’ which is the only worthy aspiration to be had in human life.
‘Bhagvad Gita As It Is’
His Divine Grace, Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s presentation- ‘Bhagvad Gita as It Is’ provides this most confidential knowledge of Devotional service from start to finish. It begs the soul to endeavor for this goal in their life and make arrangements to fulfill the greatest potential of human life by realizing its spiritual, eternal existence. By practicing the devotional aspect sincerely, one not only fulfills other principles automatically, adds immense value to their physical existence but can also transcend the mundane platform of material existence. Therefore, soul returns to the divine realm of love, service and personal relationship with the Supreme.
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