The Bhagavad Gita- What if a book came to life| Review by Yashvi,12, Kolkata

What if a book came to life?

The Bhagvad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, was a 700 verse Hindu scripture that was a major part of the epic Mahabharata. The Gita was a set framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince, Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Krishna. At the start of the Dharma Yudha between the Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna, a great warrior, was filled with moral dilemma and despair about the violence and death the war would cause in the battle against his own kin. He seeks Krishna’s counsel, whose answers constituted the holy book Gita. Krishna encourages Arjuna to uphold his duty through selfless action.

In today’s world it is important to have guides like Krishna to clear the misconception of today’s youngsters who will become our future generation. I always wished to be a part of the holy moment when Krishna counsels Arjuna and reminds him of his duty. 

As I was completely immersed into my eclectic thoughts, I heard a strange voice and I went to check the common room on the first floor. I was alone in my home that day as all my family members had gone to attend a wedding. I wasn’t feeling well so I preferred staying back at home. As I opened the door of the common room, I stood thunderstruck. I felt that my feet were glued to the ground and my eyes were stuck on the magnificent and unbelievable scene I saw. I pinched myself several times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. 

During that golden moment the only thing I remembered was the famous quote said by Paulo Coelho that ‘When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.’

In front of my eyes was Lord Krishna standing on the golden chariot and Arjuna stood on the ground with his one knee touching the floor and both his hands folded and his eyes facing Lord Krishna with a spark of charm, respect and eagerness of learning a new lesson of life. Bright yellow light sprang out from this holy scene and ended up spreading in all the four directions and lighting up the dark room. Without knowing what to do, I lay down to touch Shri Krishna’s feet. In an instant both of them got up from their idyllic position with a smile and indicated to me to get up. Krishna said that seeing my devotion they had come to give me my answers.

He said that he knew that people read and respected Gita as a holy book but they never understood its soul. Arjuna added that they had come to teach me all the shlokas to tell people the importance of life. I kneeled on the floor and heard all of Krishna’s preaching with utmost attention.   

Love is the prime element of living. Lord Krishna said that even Brahma could be achieved with love. Sages have said that love opens all the doors. We make enemies with emotions like hate, anger, vengeance and other such feelings. People have to understand that we can win people to our sides by spreading love and losing such negative emotions. He reminded me of the famous quote-

‘Do everything you have to,

But not with greed,

Not with ego,

Not with envy,

But love, compassion, humility and devotion’ 

Just like that I sat there for hours and hours hearing Krishna’s lessons of life. 

Finally I felt enlightened and my eyes fell on the clock. I was shocked as when Lord Krishna explained to Arjuna the Bhagavad Gita in Mahabharata, time had stopped too. In a blink of an eye Lord Krishna along with Arjuna had disappeared. In front of my eyes I could see the Bhagvad Gita lay open on the study table with the same bright yellow light diminishing into it and slowly the book closed and I joined my hands. 

It is not possible to change the world in a month or so but with the enlightening experience I had, I will try to do my best.