In the last post, we understood 10 Ultimate Learning from the Bhagwad Gita for human beings so that they can live a better life in this world. Today, we will go deep into the matter of death and how it is explained in Gita that it is unreal. We are taking numerous births and rebirths on this planet, however, we forget about the past births when we take a new birth and due to this reason, we remain ignorant to a great secret that death is unreal. At the outset of the Mahabharata battle, Arjuna finds himself grappling with a profound moral dilemma as a warrior. He is faced with the agonizing prospect of having to confront and fight against his own family members and revered teachers who have become part of the enemy force. Overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, Arjuna confides in Lord Krishna, expressing his deep reluctance to engage in the battle that would necessitate him to fight against beloved relatives whom he loves and respects deeply.
He sees great sorrow in the prospect of taking the lives of his own kin, even though they may be on the opposing side. Comprehending Arjuna's inner turmoil, Lord Krishna imparts the profound and sacred knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, revealing the secret of the "atman" or true self. Krishna explains that the essence of every living being transcends the physical body; it is an unseen, potent force known as the atman, which is responsible for life in all creatures.
Krishna elucidates that the atman remains unchanging across various forms and throughout time. While the physical body is bound by the present, it did not exist in the past, nor will it endure in the future. Conversely, the atman, the true self, was present in the past and will continue to exist in the future, as it does within the present body. The atman merely assumes different bodies to fulfil their duties as dictated by nature.
According to Lord Krishna, human suffering arises from considering the impermanent body as the true self and neglecting the eternal reality of the atman. The physical body is subject to change and eventual death, a fact unalterable by any force in the world. Arjuna's confusion stems from attaching excessive importance to the external manifestations of the body.
Krishna explains to Arjuna that when he fights and apparently slays his relatives in battle, their atman, their true essence, remains unscathed and undying. Instead, they merely transition to new bodies in accordance with their destiny, while the atman endures unchanged. In this revelation, the Bhagavad Gita imparts the profound wisdom that death is an illusion when we perceive our true selves, the immortal atman. Recognizing the imperishable nature of the atman helps one transcend the fear of death and liberate themselves from worldly suffering.
The concept that most individuals fear death because they mistakenly identify their bodies as their true selves is a recurring theme in the Bhagavad Gita. By embracing the understanding of the atman, one can liberate themselves from this fear and attain inner peace. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita continue to inspire people across generations to seek spiritual enlightenment and transcendence.
