On the Altar of God’s Love

Always remind yourself that life is to be lived – happily, harmoniously, healthily, and positively. A negative approach in thoughts, speech, and action is to be shunned. In this regard, there is no better guide than The Holy Bhagavad Gita.

The Teacher of The Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna, who was a King, Kingmaker, Army General, Politician, Statesman and, Satguru. His disciple was the Mighty Arjuna, King and greatest warrior of exemplary character. Both Lord Krishna and Arjuna were householders or family persons.

Significance of The Bhagavad Gita

Moreover, The Bhagavad Gita was taught in the middle of the battlefield and the congregation of mighty warriors, who gathered there to force upon a decision. This happened because other peaceful methods to come to a final decision failed. At that juncture, a crisis of confidence occurred to the Mighty Arjuna. Because it was on his mighty arms and brain, the outcome of the war depended. Lord Krishna is worshipped by the Hindus as God in various roles,

• Baby Krishna or Child Krishna
• Cowherd Krishna
• Teenager Krishna
• Radha-Krishna
• Dwarakadhish Krishna
• Parthasarathi Krishna

He was an ideal householder, a friend, and a teacher. He is the Incarnation of efficiency, self-confidence, love, wisdom, and knowledge. Lord Krishna was the greatest Master of Yoga and spirituality.

The Mahabharata, in short 

यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: |
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ||

yatra yogeshvarah krishno yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra shrir vijayo bhutir dhruva nītir matir mama

English Translation:

Wherever Lord Krishna and the mighty archer Arjuna with a bow in hand are present together, there are prosperity, Divine Power and blessings, firm determination, wise, correct unshakable policy, and principles. 

A Practical Manual of Living

The Bhagavad Gita is a practical manual of living. It is an art and science of positive, harmonious, and healthy living which leads to Real Happiness and God Realization. But it needs to be properly understood. As long as the mind is restless, the senses are not under control and understanding can’t be achieved. This can be achieved by different techniques as advised by Lord Krishna to His fit disciple Arjuna. The central point is sense control, mind control, and the love of God. So much so that there occurs surrender to God through the mind, intellect, and ego. This is expressed as Yagnya or sacrifice, mentally, physically, and morally sacrificing oneself on the Altar of God’s Love. It can be expressed as superseding the biological self-identification in thought, word, deed. Also cultivating self-identification as a Servant of God, Power of God, mental, verbal, physical identification as that for God, by God and of God.

The lifestyle of the Teacher and Disciple

The lifestyle of the Teacher and the disciple in The Bhagavad Gita indicates that one need not be a renunciate in the external sense, for example like leaving home or rigorous asceticism, in order to get the best values out of life. One is advised to lead a normal life. So for a complete, positive, successful, and worthy life, one should be very efficient, balanced, heroic (adventurous) and a tireless Sadhak, like Arjuna. And that too under the guidance of and with tremendous faith in God or a worthy spiritual master like Lord Krishna. The worthy Spiritual Master was an ideal guide, a friend, a philosopher, a Sakhaa (a bosom friend), very understanding and forgiving. The Real Guru becomes happier joyful at the achievements of a highly advanced disciple and doesn’t suffer from jealousy, envy, and rivalry. Remember these words and be great in thought, word, deed like Arjuna and benefit from the guidance of a realized Master like Lord Krishna

Om Tat Sat Om

May the Supreme invincible combination of Partha Dhanurdhara Arjuna and Yogeswara Krishna guide, protect, inspire, and energize you.

With Love and Best Wishes,
Paramahansa Atmananda Ji