The Bhagavad Gita as a source of great inspiration and motivation is unlike any other text written anywhere in the world of religion. Compiled about 2000 years ago it is presented as a dialogue between the supreme religious godhead Krishna and the wailing warrior Arjuna on the great battleground of Kurukshetra during the events of the Mahabharata war. As a text it has inspired thinkers, religious leaders, saints, artists, activists and millions of others worldwide through the eternal messages it espouses. The profound sentiment that Arjuna displays wherein on the sight of his brother, kins, relatives and teachers just could not bear any weapons against them and stood all aghast, then iterating in voluminous terms the principles of ahimsa and asceticism so that he doesn’t have to fight. The various questions that he posits and then Krishna wilfully handling his questions as well as his sentiments becomes the supremely revered philosophical and religious text of Bhagavad Gita.
Many strands and layers of meanings flow out from Shri Krishna’s words, apt for various situations for people of every kind. The words stand right for every stage of a person’s life, more so when one is in the developmental stages where he is trying to build himself or some other entrepreneurial project he is working upon. Clear and a direct way for liberation and it alone is the eternal message and herein lies the crux where the role of the fighter’s as Krishna says is not resignation or abandonment as many often choose but nishkama karma, not thinking about any rewards but a devoted focus on the right action and nothing else.
Shri Krishna, as Arjuna’s charioteer, as his friend and (here) teacher shows the right way to him. More than a fact the image is imbued with considerable symbolism. Arjuna’s archery skills point towards his focus and deep one mindedness and further when he wavers from his focus, a complete breakdown is the result and that is what has been portrayed, a lively dialogue wherein the most complex problems of life have been posited, a pernicious dilemma about to act or not to act, this is the central tenet. The central theme is not about the action per se, action will just be the effect but the assertion of Krishna in his answers is on the identity of Arjuna, who he is, the universality of his being and furthermore. Getting the problem of identity clear, the right action will naturally flow from it. Upanishadic thoughts too are embedded in Shri Krishna’s discourse. The 1st chapter opens up with the dire state of Arjuna, his incessant complaints and grievances, his acute inability and at certain times his utter hatred for war. It is important here to understand that Arjuna did not have any problem with killing but the thought of slaying his own brothers, gurus and elders was what shocked him. With his celestial bow lowered all in the middle of the battlefield and squirming to kill his mates devoured him completely. Another aspect of the issue could be wholly spiritual where it can be that a fearful, hesitant mind which does not mean to act hence gives a litany of excuses and tries to evade the situation wholeheartedly. This is the situation Arjun is in. In Chapter 2 thus Krishna explains to him at certain times deriding him by calling him ‘Napunsak’ i.e. a pansy. Almost a friendly slang one would say, it certainly is a forceful invitation to action above anything else. In his speech he variously accords him names such as Kaunteya which means the son of Kunti. The aspect of the relationship of Krishna as being someone ‘personally related’ to Arjuna thus, as someone who would in any circumstance work for Arjuna’s welfare has been highlighted. Additionally the other important aspect that has been brought about is that of honour and respect. A person’s honour and respect is certainly determined by the actions and work that he or she does in the society. A Kshatriya’s duty of fighting and fighting till the last breath for the honour of his brethren and his lineage has been given due diligence. Krishna asserts this time and again for he knows the effect words like honour and respect have on a person especially if the one who you are talking to is a proud warrior. But here Arjuna does not relent and continues his rant. Another important aspect is the role a sarthi or a mentor plays in someone’s life. To clear the confusion and thus solve the complex problems of life, the mentor becomes the deciding factor too. In showing Arjun the various facets of life, Krishna lays stress upon the single issue in different ways. The trivial of the side is variously catapulted to a higher spiritual playground wherein he coaxed Arjun to look differently and observe clearly the effect his actions would thus have.
The next segment meditates heavily on the point of focus and attention. One minded focus, unwavering in its nature which does not move and is stationed on a rock firm base is the thing which Krishna talks about here. Attention is the most potent weapon in anyone’s hands and this has been exemplified upon when Krishna says that the focus has to be Ekaha that is one pointed sharp and unwavering in its function. Skills are only secondary. Even when the skills are at their finest if there is no focus then they are of no use. The development of focus and attention is of utmost importance especially to a warrior like Arjun. Other examples of keen attention can be elucidated in this regard. Swami Vivekanand was known for his sharp attention. An instance of his tryst with attention comes when at the request of a friend he goes to his house and during the spare time reads a book in German and when questioned on it quoted the pages verbatim. This sort of attention and calibre ultimately made Swamiji what he is today. Another example is that of Abdul Kalam where just a say up to his marriage his liaison with his rocket was so very extreme that he indeed forgot about it. His devotion to the work he was going and the unrivalled attention with which he engaged with his project sets him apart quite fabulously. The themes of learning and development in the light of attention is what is being highlighted by Krishna in the following lines. Close engagement thus with the work that a particular person rightfully chooses is a must and for an entrepreneur it is all the more important.
In the conclusive part it is worth mentioning that total, undivided attention as a whole is the most important aspect if one wants to succeed in an enterprise. The importance of a mentor, of a coach in life along with a promise to live the truth in one’s daily life is a must. The words are powerful but only to the extent we let those words do their work in our daily living, a transformation in one’s life or any business one has can only happen if we act upon the resolve fully and wholeheartedly.