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The Bhagavad Gita's Influence in India

Page history last edited by lisette_ortiz@knights.ucf.edu 13 years, 11 months ago

The Bhagavad Gita in India

 

 

http://www.bhagavad-gita.us/content_images/4/1/gita-104.jpg

 

 

     Every year for one week in December, Indians gather in Kurukshetra to celebrate the birthplace of Hinduism. Kurukshetra is, among other things, the setting of the Bhagavad Gita, upon which Arjuna and Krishna converse about dharma and its contrast against social responsibility while embroiled in war. Arguably the most accessible segment in the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita embodies Hinduism’s main principle and teachings in such a way that it has managed to guide those in the past and present. While being part of one of Hinduism’s great epics of history, the Gita also contains numerous references to the teachings of the Upanishads, such as following duty fearless of the consequences. Although Krishna applies this to a warrior’s responsibility, Hindus today can apply this principle to faith, devotion, and duty as each sometime require blind trust.

 

Early Vedic culture: Indo-European influences on Hinduism

 

     Early Vedic religion emerged in Indo-European cultures and spread into the Indus valley civilization around 1500 bce. Vedic songs, later incorporated into the Indus people’s religion, were compiled into a collection called Samhita that contained the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda. Around 800 bce the Upanishads were written as an offshoot to the Vedas, which exemplifies modern Hinduism’s main principles including karma’s influence on reincarnation and the importance of religious duty in achieving ultimate reality. Many arguments Krishna uses incorporate Upanishad teachings; he appeals to Arjuna’s faith stating that renouncing “all desires and acts without craving, possessiveness, or individuality” one will find the “pure calm of infinity” (Vyasa, 850-1). Krishna is referring to dharma, in this case the duty Arjuna faces as a warrior, and its consequence on his reincarnation. This is one of teachings in the Upanishads, which reads that one following the religious dharma will achieve the ultimate reality: uniting the self (atman) with ubiquitous reality (Brahman). The drama surrounding Arjuna’s conversation with Krishna reinforces the inherent theme of the script and preserves a special place in Hinduism allowing it to become a timeless work speaking to generations of Hindus.

 

Nineteenth century: Gita teachings used to gain India’s independence

 

     One Indian in particular was influenced by the Gita’s teachings and was moved to drive the nonviolent resistance eventually causing Britain’s rule in India to cease. Ghandi interpreted the text as proving war’s “futility” and showing “how a perfected man is to be known.” He was following his dharma when he encouraged Indians to boycott Britain’s goods because he believed that violence would not cause the desired outcome. He embodied Krishna’s teachings when he selflessly ignored all negative consequences in his hunger strikes once imprisoned for his nonviolent opposition and in his continuance to fight for India’s independence even after an attempt on his life. These actions personify his words regarding the Gita’s requirement of firm devotion, “He is the devotee who is…selfless, who is ever forgiving…whose resolutions are firm” (qtd. in Trybulec). India’s eventual independence from Britain is yet another example of the power of teachings narrated in the Gita, because it was with this influence that a country was moved to regain independence.

 

21st century: The Gita is still revered for its religious commentary

 

Today Hindus regard Kurukshetra as holy and behold it with awe because it was there that their god Vishnu appeared and spoke to Arjuna. They celebrate the location by bathing in sacred tanks holding holy water, and participating in dances, listening to readings from the Bhagavad Gita text, and watching dramas. It is also with joy that Indians as a whole celebrate their independence day, an event largely connected with Ghandi’s knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita. Not only is the Bhagavad Gita an informative history of Hinduism, it also provides lessons that many Hindus today still follow and hold in high regard.

 


 

Works Cited

 

Damrosch, David, and David L. Pike, gen. eds. The Longman Anthology of World Literature: The Ancient World. 2nd ed. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2009. Print.   

 

Doniger, Wendy.  "Bhagavadgita." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2009. Web. 05 Dec. 2009. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/63871/Bhagavadgita>.

 

            Doniger, Wendy. "Veda." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2009. Web. 05 Dec. 2009. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/624383/Veda>.

 

"The Bhagavad Gita In Pictures - #104."  N.d. The Bhagavad Gita: The Divine Song of God.  IndiaDivine Communications.  Web. 5 Dec 2009.   

  

Trybulec, Carrie.  “Ghandi’s Vision Today.”  Remarks By Carrie Trybulec At Gandhi Jayanti – October 2, 2009.  Ghandi Memorial Center.  2 October 2009.  Web.  5 Dec. 2009.  <http://www.gandhimemorialcenter.org/pages/34>.

 

Vayas, Krishna Dvaipayana. "The Bhavagad Gita." Trans. Barbara Stoler Miller. Damrosch and Pike 839-851. 

  


 

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