Gita For Youth-Part II

Vedanta

oi-Staff

By Staff

Friday, July 17, 2009, 11:43

Desire is the root cause of sorrow', said Buddha. Gita, much more ancient than Buddha, is uncompromising in showing to us how our uncontrolled, selfish desires cause all disruption in individual and social life. 'Desire, anger is verily the arch enemy of man' 011.37); 'Desire, anger and greed are the three gates to hell' (XVI.21l). A large number of young people without knowing the importance of restraining lust and anger, get increasingly caught in self created mental meshes and soon come to have a deep sense of dissatisfaction in life.

The secret of happy living, as given in Gita, is to focus on work without undue anxiety about enjoyment of favourable results. Results will come when one has done good work. Let one pay attention to the 'means'; the 'end' will be surely achieved if the means is taken care of. In fact, when one 'teams to derive joy in work itself, there is hardly any dependence left on the so called 'favourable-result'.

Dedicating ourselves to a higher cause, devoted to God who is the very repository of all that is just and good, we are to work inspired, with love and respect for each other. Such work brings the greatest happiness to one and all. When one works in such a spirit of selfless dedication, there is no question of agitations arising in one's mind. In spite of all the work one does, one remains fresh and fine in one's within. One gets good sleep, one's mind is not a burdened mind. One feels light and the love and cheer that one experiences within oneself make this earth itself a veritable heaven.

Just as the lotus leaf does not get wet even as water falls upon it, a man working in a selfless spirit does not get agitated even when he meets with failure and success, criticism and praise etc.' (V. 1 0). This is indeed the art of living. Amidst all responsibilities. in spite of the ups and downs of life, if one keeps up one's equanimity and maintains the goodwill towards all in one's heart, what greater achievement is needed in life?

To study Gita is to broaden our vision. It is to expand our consciousness from the narrow cabin of the ego to the wide expanse of understanding the unity of life. The self created, painful boundaries of 'I' and 'my' are erased in the appreciation of the needs of humanity itself, nay of all life. The spiritual disciplines bring about an awakening in us from the dreamy falsehood of egoistic thinking. It is a great self-transformation in which the 'ego' in us, constantly demanding attention, gratification, pleasure and fame vanishes and one lives a meaningful life, responding to all situations with a mature understanding of the needs of others with no expectations for oneself. One is happy with oneself, by oneself 01.55) and does not depend on the fulfillment of some personal desire for one's happiness.

At an early age, if one can have love of God kindled in one's heart, this takes care of many of the problems which torment a man's life. Sri Krishna shows in the Geeta how simple it is for one to practise devotion to God. It is the faith (IV. 39), constant remembrance (VIII.7) and the attitude of offering everything to God (IX. 26, 27) that make all the difference. You be devoted to Him, He will take all care of you! (IX. 22); do not worry at all (XVIII.66) is the assurance of God in the Gita in no uncertain terms. This divine poem, this song celestial is indeed a treasure of countless gems of most precious guidance to all young men and women to become the architects of the most beautiful life of theirs.

About the author

Swami Chidananda

Swami Chidananda has been a spiritual teacher, speaker, and writer for two decades. He is presently the Joint Secretary of Rajghat Education Centre, Varanasi, which is a chapter of Krishnamurti Foundation India (KFI). His deeper calling took him to the study of the Vedanta under the world-renowned teacher Swami Chinmayananda. He served the Chinmaya Mission for sixteen years. He now lives on the banks of Ganga in Varanasi, working for the cause of right education as well as rural service.