Lessons from the Bhagavad-Gita

This Janmashtami I focused on Lord Krishna’s lessons to us from the Bhagavad-Gita as I reflected on few well known verses from our eternal texts.

 

From the qualities of Lord Krishna and the lessons that the Gita brings to us, to the sutra of ” Indriyajayasya Mulam Vinayaha” from the Arthashaastra,they are all vital links to our being effective leaders.

 

In the Arthashaastra the main premise for a leader to gaining mastery over his inner self and being able to be in charge of his enterprise, is the emphasis on Indriyajaya or Self Control which is possible with Vinay or Humility. Another meaning for Vinay is consistently working with integrity and ethics.

 

Many holding Leadership positions with authority and power are working on wealth generation, protecting this wealth and enterprise and making it grow with the endeavour of sharing this wealth inclusively. 

 

To achieve this it becomes imperative for leaders in these positions to be in charge of their Indriyas or sense organs and one can accomplish this by practicing Vinay which is a powerful quality .There is reference to this in the Upanishads as well as the Gita.

 

In Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad-Gita in Verses 62/63/64, there is a specific mention of how attachment to senses produces anger that leads to hazy judgement which results in the intellect getting clouded which can then lead into a downwards spiral for the person in concern.It says that by restraining the senses and attaining inner calm a person can act in this world with equanimity.

 

In the Katha Upanishad (I.iii.3-4) the senses are likened to the horses of a chariot and the intellect is likened to the charioteer, body is the chariot ,the Self, is the Lord of the chariot and mind the reins.He /She who acts from awareness ,where the intellect is discriminating and discerning is when the horses are under control and the chariot is able to reach its destination without the horses going astray.

 

Lord Krishna, through his life showed us how to be the Lord of the chariot and be in union with the body, senses and mind and live a life doing right.

 

The Leader in charge has to remember to keep the horses in check and keep the overall good of the Organization as his/her main purpose .If the reins (mind) are not in check, the horses will be out of control . Excessive indulgences, lack of humility and ethics generates mistrust in the people and the Leader will not only lose respect of his/her people but also lose control over the people and enterprise.

 

The lesson I picked up from Lord Krishna and the Bhagavad-Gita on this Janmashtami is that our journey in this life is to understand the true nature of oneself and gain mastery over the mind.