Bhagavad Gita Religion

How can an individual know the purpose of life, and how can one distinguish his or her purpose in life? The Bhagavad Gita attempts to answer these questions. The opening of the Bhagavad Gita starts with Arjuna having immense anguish as he discovers that he must go into battle with his own family in order to have the crown go to his brother. The solution to despair is provided by Krishna, the God who serves as Arjuna’s charioteer and a guideline on how to fulfill his Dharma through devotion. The message delivered by Krishna in regards to completing Dharma, is entirely to push individuals out of Samsara and into Moksha or the oneness with God. In Hinduism, the process to reach Moksha is through Samsara, or wandering through the cycle of reincarnation.

The individual soul is referred to as the Atman, comprised of true self and ego self. For Arjuna, his anguish is created as is his ego self is at odds with his true self. Arjuna reaffirms his despair when he tells Krishna “How can the mind, which is so restless, attain lasting peace? Krishna, the mind is restless, turbulent, powerful, violent; trying to control it is like trying to tame the wind” (Easwaran 1985). Although Arjuna is having this feeling of dejection, Krishna reminds him that these feelings of not wanting to complete dharma is ignorant and pushes away from devotion when he states, “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself - without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat.” (Easwaran 1985). Everyday there is the blindfold of distress, that we may overcome the ignorance similar to Arjuna’s. The story of Arjuna has remained an integral work of hindu tradition, as it points those astray from true purpose, back to personal enlightenment. Likewise, other religions call for devotion and undeniable faith. Everything must point back to what is most important. Once everything is in balance regarding dharma karma, an individual can be liberated from samsara and become one with the power of all

In the Gita, Arjuna’s ignorance is his ego prior to going to battle with his own kin. Arjuna states, “My will is paralyze, and I am utterly confused. Tell me which is the better path for me.” (Easwaran 1985). People come to this point of contention in their lives where they feel empty and as if there is no solution, so at the most intense time of despair they ask the highest power for a solution. Arjuna has a dharma to uphold for he is a warrior and must defend his older brother’s claim to the throne; however, Arjuna has fallen into a state far from his path of liberation. (Easwaran 1985). It is for conflicts like this that is the purpose of samsara. Without hard decisions to be made, one can ever separate from the human self into the true self, or Atman. Through understanding this story I can develop my religious life by remembering that life is meant to be acted with a pure heart. I place myself in the shoes of Arjuna and can relate to same disparities; Krishna is the perfect guide. If I want to help people I should not do it half heartedly; I must do it with purpose. If I do righteous acts with a pure heart, then I will come closer to