There is one song that has been popular for centuries and across the seven continents. You will wonder what I am talking about. It has fascinated the poets, the scientists, the philosophers, the statesmen and the saints. Yes, it is the song sung by the Lord, the Bhagavad Gita.

“When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day.” said Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation 

Albert Einstein was also quite impressed by the teachings of Lord Krishna and has quoted that, “When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous.”

Today let us have a look at the Bhagavad Gita, but little differently…

An analogy is a literary device often used in literature and poetry to make connections between familiar and unfamiliar things. It suggests a deeper significance, or creates imagery in the reader’s mind. Analogies allow writers to say something in an abstract way, encouraging deeper thought. Today we are going to focus on some of the analogies that Bhagavan has used. It not only made Arjuna understand the complex concepts but has made the same easier for us too.

In the second chapter, to explain that the Self is indestructible and the concept of birth and death, He uses the everyday experience as an analogy.

वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय   नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि |
तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा    न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही | 2,22

Bhagavan asks Arjuna, not to grieve about the deaths that would happen in the war. He compares death with changing of clothes. The experience of removing old clothes and wearing the new ones is enjoyed by each individual. In fact, all of us  look forward to trying out a new attire. By this analogy, the inauspiciousness or the uncomfortableness in discussing death is completely removed. Thanks to this analogy, the concept of rebirth can easily be comprehended by everyone. The seeker gets reassurance about continuity of life and moves forward in the learnings.

A wonderful simile is used in the same chapter by Bhagavan.  He explains the futility of the ritualistic knowledge of Vedas to the man of realization. He says that when there is flood in the river, what use is of the water reserve? 

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वत: सम्प्लुतोदके |
तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानत: || 46||

The water from the well or a reservoir comes handy under normal circumstances. But when there is a flood in the river and water everywhere, the wells get merged in the spread of water. Though in cities we may not have experienced the flooding of a river, all of us are familiar with the rains and the submerged roads, rail tracks and markets. This simile drives home the concept that the man of realization having abided in the Bliss is not moved by the pleasures derived from actions.

When Arjuna enquiries as to how to recognise the man of realization and how he functions in the world, Bhagavan says:

यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वश: |
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता || 58||

The tortoise when faced with even a distant danger, withdraws its limbs instinctively. It feels safe within and waits patiently till it perceives the safety for its movement. The realised man functions in this world just like the tortoise.

Initially one wonders when one reads about the comparison of a realized master with a tortoise. Our association of a tortoise goes with the story of a running race between a tortoise and a hare learnt by all of us during childhood and the moral ‘slow and steady wins the race’ rings in the ears.

The twenty-first century man knows the various unique features of a tortoise, He is aware of its long life span, slow movement and deeper and longer breaths. But being compared with a tortoise is not considered as a praiseworthy adjective. But may be viewed as a derogatory comment about his slow performance. When one pauses and learns about this analogy, one realises the alertness and promptness of a tortoise. The patience with which it waits for the situation to become favourable,  is worth emulating. In fact, it can become a success mantra to survive in the competitive world of today.

It also explains why there is a tortoise at the entrance of most of the Hindu temples. We are supposed to withdraw our mind from the world and focus on the Lord is indicated by the tortoise at the entrance. A very powerful reminder for us when we visit the temple.

There is another powerful analogy towards the end of the second chapter. The rivers pour in millions of gallons of water and yet the ocean remains unaffected. 

आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमाप: प्रविशन्ति यद्वत् |
तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी ||2. 70||

All of us would have visited the beaches and the sea shores. We appreciate the vastness of the ocean, cleanliness of the beaches. But how many of us ponder on the water poured in by the rivers into the ocean and how it accommodates all. It has been happening since the time immemorial.

In periods of drought, sometimes the rivers dry up. But the sea/ocean remains unaffected. Sometimes there is flood in the rivers, it sweeps cities and gushes everything to the sea. Yet the sea remains in balance. Similar is the mindset of the man of realization. 

He may remain in isolation or amidst thousands of people, objects or situations. His happiness is not dependent on it. The seeker, when he is first introduced to this concept is in complete awe. But our itihas (history) has so many examples and role models.

We have Lord Rama in the Treata yuga displaying these qualities. It is said He remained balanced when he was told about his coronation as the future king of Ayodhya and when He was asked to go to the forest for a period of 14 years.

We have Masters like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Ramana Maharshi who could endure the physical pains caused by the diseases. They never lost the pleasantness of the mind.

Achieving this transformation may seem to be an impossible thing to a naïve seeker. But it keeps a lofty goal for the aspiring seeker. “Reaching the goal is not the goal but striving to achieve it is the goal. That way you evolve day by day.” Said Swami Chinmayananda.

Bhagavad Gita, the song sung by the Lord more than 5000 years ago, continues to inspire even today. It has a lesson to teach to any person who wants to be happy and successful.

Bhagavan has used many more and very familiar analogies to drive home the teachings. Which one appeals to you the most? 

Written by Smt. Manisha Deole

Reference Material: The Holy Geeta – commentary  by  Swami Chinmayananda