Importance of Bhagavad Gita in Modern Life

"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day." - Mahatma Gandhi

One may wonder what is the use of studying Bhagavad Gita in the present day. How relevant is it to modern life? And what value does it add to one’s life?

I am writing this post to highlight how learning Gita is necessary for us to live our life more effectively.

Gita is an incredible book because of its intrinsic value in solving the fundamental human problem. It shows us a way to live our life effectively. It will continue to bless people of the past, present and posterity, the only thing is that, one has to choose to expose oneself to it. I therefore request people of all ages to learn this book of amazing wisdom.

The perspective taken in this discussion on the Bhagavad Gita is that it is universal and belongs to all humankind. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the central teachings of Sanathan Dharma, today often called Hinduism. It has its setting in Indian history, culture and religion of a particular era and with ongoing influences of Indian religious history. While not ignoring these, I see its meaning as being evolutionary beyond the borders of its country of origin. Its applicability has since gone beyond the era in which it was conceived to modern times and has traveled outside of India around the world and through time and place, it has been incorporated into different cultures.

Bhagavad Gita was a timeless, universal devotional text that looked beyond all differences and which was understandable and easily practiced by the simplest, every common person.

As long as individuals do not take the responsibility to make changes in their behaviors, and make better choices, things will not change significantly at a global level. Mahatma Gandhi very rightly said, “Be the change you want to see in others”. This point we seem to miss often in responding to many challenges in the world. Bhagavad Gita enables you to realize your potential to be that person who is mature and responsible, so please don’t wait till you are old to study this book that has timeless wisdom.