Richa Tilokani - The Teachings of Bhagavad Gita: Timeless Wisdom for the Modern Age

Hay House Publishers (India) Pvt. Ltd.

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Copyright Richa Tilokani 2021

The views and opinions expressed in this book are the authors own and the facts are as reported by her, which have been verified to the extent possible, and the publishers are not in any way liable for the same.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use other than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 978-93-88302-59-3

ISBN 978-93-88302-60-9 (e book)

Designed and typeset at
Hay House India

To
My Family

WE LIVE IN A HARD AND STRENUOUS WORLD WHICH, currently, is adversely affected by COVID-19 coupled with the other catastrophes like floods, famines, threats of wars, plane crashes, bomb blasts and so much more. This is in addition to the ubiquitous global problems like climate change, overpopulation, hunger, poverty, water shortage etc. etc. It all seems so very difficult to navigate. Hence, it is understandably not easy to handle the constant barrage of (largely disturbing) news, which is beamed endlessly into our lives, day after day after day, causing immense stress, uncertainty, anxiety, guilt and a sense of loss as we assess the all-round impact of these events.

Many of us want to understand and find an answer to all these issues as also, how to handle our emotions in these circumstances. Everyone is searching for and exploring new ways to cope with these problems. However, anyone and everyone you come across is loaded with too many questions, but few have answers, if at all.

In this inter-connected world, I too grappled with many of these questions and often wondered that surely there must be a better way to live, to work, to think, to co-exist and to flourish? And, I was determined to find an answer, come what may, and finally embarked on the journey a couple of years back.

In the last few years, my cityChennaiwitnessed two huge natural disasters. First came the giant floods of November-December 2015, which affected the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, taking over 500 lives and displacing 1.8 million people. Then a year later, on 12 December 2016, we were hit by the Cyclone Vardah which saw winds of 105 kilometres per hour leading to large scale destruction which shook the very foundation of our being.

However, Chennai is a brave city and its people have an indomitable spirit. They fought back and rebuilt each destroyed and damaged part of the city and its surrounding areas, brick by brick, day by day through sheer hard work and determination. But, as was to happen, these two catastrophic disasters and their aftermath had a deep impact on most of us who experienced them. Speaking, reading or listening to loved ones was cathartic. However, I discovered that by reading the Bhagavad GitaThe Song of Godwhich answers a broad range of spiritual topics, touching upon ethical dilemmas and philosophical issues, I could cope with and process my feelings much better.

I started reading, researching and writing on it. The more I read, the more assured I felt that the message of the Bhagavad Gita is literally a god-send during the calamitous times. It contains answers to most of the questions that arise in us... questions that trouble us... questions which we face every day. One can greatly benefit by the work of the great sages, philosophers, thinkers, saints and great teachers who have written numerous commentaries with widely differing views on the essentials and taken great pains to explain and elaborate on its complex topics, particularly the dialogues between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Lord Krishna.

I was taught the Bhagavad Gitawhich is a part of the epic Mahabharata written by the sage Vyasaby my grandfather Pandit Vishnukant Shastri who was a revered scholar and a true devotee of Lord Rama. Growing up, me and my sister spent many hours reading this sacred text, comprising 700 verses, trying to understand its Sanskrit shlokasfour quarter verses of eight syllables each. Even today, every time I read it, I learn more and more and marvel at its profound message. My mother, also a devotee, has been a great help in my research and writing, patiently explaining many of its subjects and their intricacies with ease. My father has also supported me greatly, encouraging me to do my best and I am thankful to my entire family for all their help.

A sacred text is like a life-long relationship and a divine blessing which will not reveal all its secrets the first time you go through it. One has to put in many hours and days and days of dedication and hard work to understand its heart and soul. Only then does it reward you. It was no different with me.

Initially, when I started writing this book, I was doing it only for myself. Then, as I went along, I expanded its scope for I wanted my family to read it too. Writing this book, coupled with all the reading on the subject that I have done over the last many years, has greatly helped me and it has certainly made me a more optimistic and cheerful person. Today, as it goes in for publication, I do hope that many people would read and benefit from it, particularly those who are facing a difficult situation, or situations, or those who are filled with questions.

I am aware that many people are interested to know more about the Bhagavad Gita but find it complex and daunting to begin the journey. Some face a language barrier (either in English, Sanskrit or in Hindi) and many simply give up or worse still, never start. Amongst those who start, many get into a maze and are unable to understand certain concepts of the text. And, they also do not have access to a person who can clear their doubts.

My goal, while translating the sacred text with utmost reverence, is to introduce the basic concepts to such readers. Thus, I have attempted to present the background and the meaning of the shlokas in a simple, easy-to- read manner, so that they can understand the teachings clearly.

I have also tried to highlight some portions and pointed out tools which, when understood and implemented, can have an effect on ones daily life. These are simple, easy-toimplement teachings and can be used regularly, like yoga, meditation, and a simple diet amongst others which impact the thought process, overall health and outlook. The human mind is very powerful and more often than not, we can train it to adapt and overcome the worst of situations with practice and regular effort so as to work better, think better, live better and help people around us.

So, like me, if you want to try to empower the mind and explore the vast knowledge pool that is the Bhagavad Gita, join me as I try to bring it closer to your family and loved ones. Read it, research it, discuss it, question it, then accept its teachings and discover in it the