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The Gita’s Message and Gandhi’s Path of Non-Violence

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The Bhagavad Gita has been a guiding light for many people throughout history, offering wisdom in times of doubt and inner conflict. One of the most profound examples of someone who lived by the Gita’s teachings is Mahatma Gandhi, a man who led India’s fight for independence with a unique weapon—non-violence.


Much like Arjuna, Gandhi faced his own battles, not on a battlefield of swords and arrows, but in a world filled with injustice, oppression, and colonial rule. Yet, the Gita gave him the strength to fight these battles without hatred or anger. Gandhi found in the Gita the wisdom to carry out his life’s mission through peaceful resistance, turning it into his guiding philosophy.


The Story of the Gita begins with Arjuna, a warrior who, when faced with his own family on the battlefield, is paralyzed by doubt and despair. He sees his cousins, his teachers, and friends on both sides, and his heart breaks. How can he kill the people he loves, even for the sake of righteousness? He drops his bow, overwhelmed by emotion.


In that moment of weakness, it is Krishna who speaks to him—not as a god giving orders, but as a friend, reminding him of his duty, his dharma. Krishna’s message is clear: life is full of struggles, but we must not run from them. Instead, we must face them with clarity and devotion, without attachment to the outcomes.


This message resonated deeply with Gandhi, who often said that the Gita was his "spiritual dictionary." It gave him the courage to lead India’s freedom movement, not through violence or hatred, but through a peaceful path of non-cooperation and civil disobedience. He found in the Gita the idea that ahimsa (non-violence) was not just an absence of physical violence but a deeper, more spiritual force—one rooted in love and compassion.


A Personal Connection: Gandhi’s Struggle


There’s a story that Gandhi often shared, about a moment when he was at his lowest. The British Empire seemed unstoppable, the fight for independence looked impossible, and he doubted his path. At that point, he turned to the Gita. He read the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna over and over again, searching for strength and guidance.


Much like Arjuna, Gandhi found himself in a moment of deep inner conflict. His desire for freedom for his country was strong, but the path ahead seemed filled with pain and sacrifice. The Gita’s teachings reminded him that he could not control the outcome, only his actions.

The Gita teaches us to act without attachment to the results. This became Gandhi’s mantra. It wasn’t about defeating the British or gaining power—it was about doing what was right, regardless of how long it took or how difficult it became.


Gandhi often said that the Gita taught him to seek not only external freedom for his country but also inner freedom from his own fears and doubts. And just as Arjuna picked up his bow again after hearing Krishna’s words, Gandhi rose each day with renewed strength, armed with nothing but his unshakable belief in truth and non-violence.



Main Teachings of the Gita:


  • Duty (Dharma): Krishna teaches Arjuna that everyone has a duty or dharma to fulfill in life. Arjuna’s duty as a warrior is to fight for righteousness. It is essential to perform one’s duties without attachment to the results.

  • Detachment from Results: One of the key teachings is to act without being attached to the outcome. Krishna says, “You have the right to perform your duty, but not the fruits of the action.” The focus should be on the action, not the reward.

  • Selfless Action (Karma Yoga): Krishna encourages Arjuna to practice Karma Yoga, which is the path of selfless action. Acting without selfish desires and offering one’s work to a higher purpose brings peace and fulfillment.

  • The Immortal Soul (Atman): Krishna reminds Arjuna that the body is temporary, but the soul (Atman) is eternal. Death is only the shedding of the physical body; the soul continues on its journey. Therefore, Arjuna should not grieve for those who will die in battle.

  • Yoga of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga): Krishna explains the importance of devotion. By surrendering to God (Krishna himself), one can attain liberation (Moksha). Love and faith in the divine lead to freedom from the cycle of life and death.

  • The Nature of Life: Krishna teaches that life is full of dualities—pleasure and pain, success and failure. A wise person remains balanced, not swayed by these ups and downs.

  • Meditation and Self-Realization: Krishna speaks of the path of Raja Yoga (meditation), through which one can calm the mind and realize their true self. By practicing meditation, one can connect with the divine and find inner peace.


The Bhagavad Gita isn’t just a scripture for times of war; it’s a guide for moments of uncertainty, fear, and moral conflict. Gandhi’s story shows us that the real battle is often within ourselves—the battle between fear and courage, doubt and faith, attachment and detachment.


The Gita reminds us that life is full of struggles, but the way we face them defines who we are. Gandhi used this wisdom to transform a nation, showing us all that even in the face of great adversity, we can act with compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment to our purpose.


So, whether it’s on the battlefield of Kurukshetra or in our own daily lives, the message remains the same: act with intention, stay true to your path, and trust that the results will follow in their own time.

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