How Bhagvad Gita affected me

21 Dec, 2025

As someone who has grown up in the South Asia, precisely in the lap of the Himalayas, I have been heavily influenced by the local philosophy, culture, and mythologies.

Most people in the West are oblivious to what the Gita is. Only a few ever encounter it in their lives. However, for those who have, the ideas have altered their lives. Time and time again, I am reminded of how profound the book and its ideas are.

First, to understand it, you need a language that is close to Sanskrit. If you can read that, then you will know you aren't being led astray. Next, you need to form your own interpretation and read only the hymns. Going through someone else's interpretation will adulterate your thinking.

With these prerequisites met, you will embark on the principles and ideas in the Gita. Unlike anything else, the central idea of the Gita revolves around Dharma: the acts one needs to perform as part of their duty. It is an interesting concept. The ethical implications have been modified to suit the narrator. The central idea is to identify what it means to live and how to live life to the fullest.

One counterintuitive example from the Gita is that a thief should always steal. ¹ It is their Dharma to steal. If they do not, then where is the place for a hero? There is no involvement of judgments or consequences; the sole act is what is important. There are warnings against some of these acts; however, those are not judicial at all. These warnings are in the sense of freedom and a way of living. In the example above, the thief might get punished if caught. That is acceptable according to the Gita because the one taking action shouldn't fear the consequences. It was their duty to carry it out, and they must face the consequences head-on.

The Gita gives some guidelines on what can be the ultimate freedom from life. There are ideas here that aren't present anywhere else, the primary idea being Karma, or taking action. In today's world, where there is a lack of agency, the Gita would say that being passive without taking any action is the most offensive thing a "soul" can do to itself.

There are ideas on how one may identify what constitutes action and what doesn't. But it is all up to the person. Therefore, at any stage in life, the Gita will provide answers because the whole concept was born as part of a mythology where God wanted to motivate a Hero who was afraid of hurting his own family and friends.

The idea close to my heart and way of life, is this: identify your role and take action on it. The worst thing you can do is choose inaction and rot without doing anything.

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