Jawaharlal Nehru's chapter on the Bhagavad Gita in the Discovery of India provides a summary of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu scripture that is part of the larger epic, the Mahabharata. Nehru describes the Gita as a complete and beautiful philosophical song that has remained popular and influential since its composition. The Gita is revered by different schools of thought and interpreted in various ways. It serves as a source of guidance and light during times of crisis, addressing political, social, and spiritual dilemmas.
The poem begins with a conversation between the warrior Arjuna and the god Krishna on the battlefield, just before a great war. Arjuna is troubled by the prospect of the war and questions the purpose of engaging in violence and killing his loved ones. Arjuna symbolizes the inner conflict experienced by individuals throughout history when faced with conflicting moral obligations. The Gita explores individual duty, social behavior, ethics, and spirituality. It seeks to reconcile and harmonize different paths of human advancement, such as the path of knowledge, action, and faith. The importance of faith is emphasized, and a personal god is mentioned as a manifestation of the absolute.
The Gita advocates for action in accordance with one's obligations and duties, while always keeping in mind the spiritual background and larger purpose of the universe. Inaction is condemned, and adherence to the ideals of the age is encouraged. Nehru highlights the relevance of this call to action in modern India, which he perceives as suffering from passivity and frustration. He suggests that action for social betterment and service can be seen as a contemporary interpretation of the Gita's teachings, as long as it is rooted in the spiritual ideal and performed with detachment from the results.
The Gita's message is universal and not limited to any specific school of thought. It is inclusive and applicable to people from all backgrounds. Nehru emphasizes the Gita's timeless quality, its ability to be constantly renewed and remain relevant despite the passage of time. It embodies earnest inquiry, contemplation, and action, maintaining balance and unity amidst conflicts and contradictions. The Gita empowers individuals to navigate the changing world by fitting in with it rather than seeking to escape from it. Over the centuries, Indian society has experienced change, development, and decay, yet the Gita continues to offer fresh insights and solutions to spiritual problems.
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