Spirituality & Philosophy in the Bhagavad Gita Teachings

Q: What does the Bhagavad Gita say about spiritual growth?

The Bhagavad Gita states that spiritual growth requires self-discipline, control over the mind, performing selfless actions without attachment to results, and living a life devoted to the Almighty while carrying out one’s duties.

Q: How can the Gita’s teachings guide us in modern life?

The Bhagavad Gita emphasises living with purpose, without attachment to results, and remaining calm in every situation. These timeless teachings help us find inner happiness and balance in modern life.

Q: What is the spiritual philosophy behind the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita teaches that the soul is a reflection of the Almighty, and realising its oneness with Divine energy is life’s ultimate purpose. This is achieved through inward focus, detachment from external pleasures, selfless action, reading spiritual texts, and devotion to God.

Q: How does Krishna define true spirituality in the Gita?

Lord Krishna defines true spirituality as performing one’s duties selflessly, without judging actions as success or failure, seeing all beings equally, and living a life of devotion and surrender to the Divine.

Q: Can the Gita help with personal struggles and inner peace?

Yes, the Bhagavad Gita provides guidance to overcome personal struggles. By turning inward, detaching from outcomes, and practicing disciplined living and devotion, one gains clarity, self-knowledge, and inner peace.

Q: What is the link between self-discipline and spiritual progress in the Gita?

The Gita explains that spiritual progress, like any achievement, requires discipline and conscious effort. One must control the mind, avoid being driven by bodily desires, raise consciousness, and align actions with life’s true purpose.

Q: Which verses in the Gita focus on spiritual awakening?

Several verses focus on spiritual awakening, such as those teaching that the soul is unborn, eternal, and indestructible, and advising us to uplift ourselves with our mind rather than degrade ourselves.

Key Takeaways:

Get an understanding of spirituality in the Bhagavad Gita: We will take a look at the Bhagavad Gita’s lessons on self-discipline and spirituality.
How is spiritual progress made in the Gita: List down the spiritual teachings of the Bhagavad Gita for modern life.
Take a look at the Bhagavad Gita’s spiritual quotes: how the Bhagavad Gita explains spiritual progress and how it can help in our spiritual endeavours.
Understanding spirituality through Bhagavad Gita verses: decoding these verses and identifying the practical spiritual path from the Bhagavad Gita.

Introduction:

I have fond memories of watching the Mahabharat series on Doordarshan every Sunday when I was in my late twenties. The larger-than-life sets, gorgeous costumes, jewellery, and good-looking actors reciting their lines with believable emotions – it was sheer magic. I remember growing impatient during the episodes where Arjun was torn apart over the impending war against his brothers and loved ones, and he engaged in a conversation with Lord Krishna, who coaxed him to set aside his feelings and fulfil his duty. My mother watched these episodes intently, as though she was absorbing each sentence and word spoken by Lord Krishna. She would give me the occasional stare when I muttered or grumbled, waiting to see some action.

As the years passed, I got interested in the religions of the world and their teachings. That is when I read the Bhagavad Gita in its entirety. Only to realise that the intriguing conversation between Arjun and Lord Krishna during the war was Lord Krishna revealing the Bhagavad Gita to him. I revisited those episodes and found myself watching them attentively, with a similar sense of interest as my mother – It truly felt surreal.

Each question that Arjun asked Lord Krishna and each answer he gave, the shloka or verse he recited, struck a chord within me. I was spellbound. How come Arjun’s fears or concerns were similar to mine, and how come Lord Krishna’s responses seemed to magically touch the very centre of my being? This is when I realised that the Bhagavad Gita is a treasure trove full of precious gems on how to live our life on earth. It reveals the secrets of how to build a connection with our inner higher self and live in harmony with purpose.

Would you like to get a glimpse of these precious gems – teachings? Well, continue to read as I make an attempt to unravel the journey of spiritual growth for the modern soul, through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

What Is Spirituality According to the Bhagavad Gita?

Well, the first thing I realised after reading the Bhagavad Gita was that it was perennially relevant, pragmatic, and timeless. The Bhagavad Gita explains spirituality as a way of living our lives, wherein we are in harmony with ourselves and our surroundings, connected with our higher selves, selflessly performing our duties, and realising the ultimate truth, which is our oneness with God.

Key Spiritual Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita:

Let us now look into some of the core teachings from the Bhagavad Gita on spirituality that would help us in our spiritual growth.

Selfless Action (Nishkama Karma):

This, in simple words, means to perform our duties without the burden of attaining results (success or failure) or any expectations. We need to perform our duties as though they are for the divine, the Almighty. Thus, it releases us from the vicious spell of success or failure and supports a truly flourishing life.

Steadiness Of Mind (Sthitha Prajna):

Our mind chases happiness and pleasure. During moments of pleasure, our mind is happy and positive. And during moments of pain, our mind and heart shut down and become negative. We need to train our minds to remain calm and seek clarity in all situations. Be unfazed by pain or pleasure, loss or success. Treat all at a similar level.

Inner Detachment:

We came into this world empty-handed and will leave with nothing. We need to live our lives without clinging to materialistic possessions, relationships, or results. Being part of the divine scheme of things and playing our role righteously.

Bhakti And Devotion:

We need to make an effort to sow the seed of unwavering love, believing that God is deep within us, in other human beings, in all creatures, and in the entire cosmos. There is no place where God isn’t. Surrender ourselves completely, with absolute faith that God is far wiser and knows what is best for us.

Knowledge Of The Self (Atma-Jnana)

Once we tread on the path of Bhagavad Gita’s teaching of embracing selfless service, training our minds to be steady, letting go of external attachments, and dedicating our lives to bhakti and devotion, only then will there be any change in us. With time, the incessant thoughts occupying our minds will begin to drift away, we will stop looking outwards and enjoy our inward journey, savoring the moments spent in stillness. And slowly, the inner secrets will begin to unravel, giving us a glimpse of our true identity – Atman (soul). That is when we will realise that our soul is a reflection and is one with the Supreme, the Divine, the Almighty. The revelation of this secret is an experience beyond the realms of body and mind.

Applying Gita’s Wisdom in Modern Daily Life:

Reading, researching, and learning about these core teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and spirituality was an illuminating experience. But I did initially struggle to apply some of these principles in my daily life. However, with time and self-discipline, I did get a deeper understanding of each of these tenets and was able to apply their wisdom. Let me share how the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings can guide a practical, spiritual path in daily life.

Dealing With Success And Setbacks:

You have worked on a project, but it did not go as planned. You studied for an exam, but the results were unsatisfactory.

The Bhagavad Gita’s spiritual teachings give us the wisdom to remain calm both in success and failure. Success and setbacks are our permanent neighbours. And they will pay us a visit at various stages of our lives. We need to train our minds, get that maturity to deal with them with dignity. Do not get too carried away or super elated when we experience success, or become bitter and resentful, unable to move forward when we experience setbacks.

Standing Up For Justice:

You witness someone being discriminated against or treated unfairly.

The Bhagavad Gita’s spiritual teachings guide us to courageously take a stand for what is right, but without any hatred for the wrongdoer. By revealing the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna guided Arjuna to stand by Dharma and cautioned him that if he chose not to act, he would be the one supporting injustice.

Ethical Dilemma:

You find out a close friend has unethical practices and requests you to turn a blind eye. You are torn because keeping quiet questions your integrity, and revealing the truth would jeopardise the relationship.

As per the teachings of the Gita, we must righteously do our duties without any expectations. Stand by what is right, uphold the truth, regardless of there being a personal cost.

Dealing With Criticism:

Receiving critical feedback at work and home from loved ones can be difficult.

During those moments, we must recall that the Gita’s wisdom teaches us to remain calm like a lamp in a windless place. We need to train our minds not to get defensive and react. We need to separate our ego and calmly listen and use the feedback for our self-growth.

Let Go Of The Past:

Someone cheats you, or you were in a bad relationship.

The Spiritual Gita guides us to move forward and let go of the emotional baggage. Carrying resentment in our hearts will only weigh us down. We need to look at these circumstances as life cycles and move forward in faith.

Dealing With Anger:

Anger is our biggest enemy. It blocks our minds, affects our judgment, and leads to nothing but destruction. The Spiritual Gita strongly advises us to remain calm. So the next time you receive a flaming email, text, or become part of an argument. Remember to pause, breathe, and respond with clarity and dignity.

I came across a book on the Mahabharata, in which the writer beautifully captured a conversation between Draupadi and Lord Krishna. This conversation took place when Draupadi and the Pandavas were sentenced to 14 years of exile by the Kauravas. The Pandavas were getting accustomed to their life and were content. But Draupadi was miserable, still carrying the weight of her humiliation. She kept her hair unkempt as a reminder to herself and her husbands of the disgraceful occurrence.

Lord Krishna gently told her, “Let go of the anger that you continue to carry for so long, it is eating you from the inside. If you hold on to it, it will consume your peace and cloud your judgment.”

These words had a profound effect on me. We all carry the weight of anger and resentment in our daily lives, which consumes us, impacts our health, and our ability to function normally. If we choose to release it, we will find the strength to move forward with clarity and dignity.

Spiritual Discipline in the Gita’s Philosophy:

I would like to share a couple of extracts from the Bhagavad Gita, which beautifully explain its spiritual discipline:

We need to focus on executing our duties righteously without clinging to results (Karma Yoga)
We need to train our minds to remain calm both in joy and sorrow (Sthita Prajna)
We need to practice self-control, i.e. learn to control our desires and senses – so that they do not control us.
Set aside time for self-reflection, to pray or meditate. (Dhyana Yoga)
We need to make a conscious effort to be kind, humble, righteous, and truthful, till such time it becomes a part of our personality
Live each moment in the Lord’s remembrance – build a connection through Bhakti and devotion. (Bhakti Yoga)

We need to train our minds to live by these philosophies and spiritual disciplines from the Bhagavad Gita. Reflect it through our actions, and make efforts to connect with our inner higher self and the Almighty, only then will we be able to grow spiritually.

Top Spiritual Quotes from the Bhagavad Gita:

Now that we have covered the Bhagavad Gita and spiritual discipline, let us move to some of the spiritual quotes from the Bhagavad Gita that are pertinent to our spiritual growth and overall well-being.

They are:

The Eternal Nature Of The Soul

Sanskrit Transliteration: Na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ.

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 2.20

This means that the soul is never born, nor does it ever die; it is eternal.

God Is In All Beings.

Sanskrit Transliteration: Samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu na me dveṣyo’sti na priyaḥ.

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 9.29

This quote means that the Lord is the same to all beings; no one is hated nor dear to him, we are all equals.

Conquer The Mind.

Sanskrit Transliteration: Ātmany evātmanā tuṣṭaḥ

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 6.20 -23

This quote means that only the self-contented person finds happiness within, through the self alone.

Steadiness In All Circumstances.

Sanskrit Transliteration: Sama-duḥkha-sukhaṁ dhīraṁ so ’mṛtatvāya kalpate

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 2.15

This means that minds that are steady in both pleasure and pain are fit for immortality.

Selfless Action.

Sanskrit Transliteration: Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 2.47

Which means we have the right to perform our duty, but not to the fruits of our labour.

True Devotion.

Sanskrit Transliteration: Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ

Reference: Bhagavad Gita 18.55

This means that only through devotion, one truly comes to know the Lord as he is.

Conclusion: Walking the Spiritual Path With The Gita:

All living beings, except humans, exist in rhythm with nature. We, humans, a reflection of the Almighty, the most advanced form of all living organisms on earth, are ironically the ones who are disconnected, discontent and out of sync with nature. Have we wondered why? It is because we are not connected within.

The Almighty, through his commandments, has given us all the wisdom we need to tread on the path of spirituality. Learned scholars have decoded those teachings into simple language and broken them down into practical steps. Some enlightened souls, with the Almighty’s grace, have depicted them in books, documentaries, movies, and series. But do we realise why all this is being done? It is for us. To awaken us. For us to realise our true identity and purpose of life, to build a connection with the Almighty, and merge with the whole, like a drop of water returning to the sea. This vision of unity is celebrated in many sacred texts and reflects humanity’s shared journey. If we still continue to live unhappily, believing the false narratives, well, there is no one else to blame but ourselves.

Visit UEF (Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing), a non-profit organisation dedicated to deepening self-awareness and fostering inner peace. Learn about religious pluralism and find practical steps to live a flourishing life by creating sacred spaces for spiritual growth.

FAQs on Bhagavat Gita Philosophy

1. What does the Bhagavad Gita say about spiritual growth?

The Bhagavad Gita states that if one desires to grow spiritually, they must have self-discipline, learn to control their minds, indulge in selfless action (detached from outcome) and spend their lives in devotion to the Almighty, while carrying out their duties.

2. How can the Gita’s teachings guide us in modern life?

The many teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are light-years ahead and are all prevailing. It emphasises that if we want to experience inner happiness, we must live with purpose without attachment to results and practice to remain calm in all situations.

3. What is the spiritual philosophy behind the Bhagavad Gita?

Our soul is a reflection of the Almighty, and realising its oneness with the Divine energy is the ultimate purpose of our life. This is the main spiritual philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, and this can be attained only by going inwards, detaching ourselves from external sources of happiness, practising selfless action, reading spiritual texts and spending time in bhakti and devotion.

4. How does Krishna define true spirituality in the Gita?

Lord Krishna, through his sermon to Arjun, beautifully defines spirituality in the Bhagavad Gita. He urges people to perform their duties selflessly, remaining detached from the outcome of the action – stop evaluating it as success or failure. He further adds that we must see all beings with equal vision and devote our lives in bhakti and devotion, surrendering ourselves to the Divine.

5. Can the Gita help with personal struggles and inner peace?

Absolutely, the Bhagavad Gita is a treasure trove of timeless wisdom. It leads the way, offering guidance for overcoming personal struggles. By going inwards and detaching ourselves from outcomes, we will get clarity through self-knowledge and get to enjoy the benefits of inner peace through devotion and disciplined living.

6. What is the link between self-discipline and spiritual progress in the Gita?

It is a known fact that in order to achieve anything in life, we must be disciplined and dedicated. The same rule applies to spiritual progress as well. We need to make a conscious effort to control our mind and not let it be ruled by bodily senses or desires, raise our consciousness and align our actions with the true purpose of life.

7. Which verses in the Gita focus on spiritual awakening?

There are several verses in the Gita that focus on spiritual awakening. Let me share a few with you:

The soul is unborn, eternal, and indestructible.

Uplift yourself with your mind, not degrade yourself.

About the author:

Akhilesh Gupta is the founder of the Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing (UEF) Foundation and a past Fellow and Impact leader in residence at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative. He previously served as senior managing director at The Blackstone Group and held leadership roles at Reliance Industries Limited and Hindustan Unilever. Akhil currently serves on the advisory boards of three of Harvard University’s entities- Harvard Divinity School, the Human Flourishing Program, and Harvard Chan Initiative on Health and Homelessness. Akhil is the author of two books. His first publication, Bridges across Humanity – Many Religions, Same Learnings, was published in April 2023. This book highlights 54 common themes across all religions. His second book, “To Flourish is to Love Learn Play”, is due for publication in Fall 2025 by Forbes

Spiritual Growth Through the Bhagavad Gita: Lessons for the Modern Soul.