Gita3
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  • Welcome to Gita3 Online!
  • Copyright
  • The Inspiration
  • Gratitude
  • Introduction
  • The Battlefield of Life
  • Part One: Think Different
    • Think Different
    • 1. Leave the Problems | Learn from Problems
      • Hidden Stories
  • 2. Act First, Ask Later | Ask First, Act Later
    • Living or Existing?
  • 3. Spiritualists don't own | Spiritualists aren't owned
    • Spiritualising
  • 4. Know through study | Know through sincerity
    • Digesting Wisdom
  • 5. Be the Best | Try your Best
    • Circles of Life
  • 6. Train your Body | Train your Mind
    • Do Not Disturb
  • 7. See to Believe | Hear to See
    • Locating your Heart
  • 8. Live Before you Die | Die Before you Die
    • Your Memorial
  • 9. Ask God for your Wants | Give God what He Wants
    • Daily Prayers
  • 10. Can't See God Anywhere | Can See God Everywhere
    • Missing the Obvious
  • 11. Believe in Yourself | Believe in Krishna
    • Quietly Confident
  • 12. Make a 'To Do' List | Make a 'To Be' List
    • Practical Saintliness
  • 13. God is Far, Seated in Heaven | God is Near, Seated Within
    • Answer my Prayer
  • 14. The Wealthy Have the Most | The Wealthy Need the Least
    • The Balancing Act
  • 15. Pursue your Dreams | Discover the Reality
    • Frustrated Happiness
  • 16. I, Me, and Mine | We, Us, and Ours
    • Me to We
  • 17. Faith Opposes Knowledge | Faith Builds Knowledge
    • Building Faith
  • 18. Try To Be Happy | Try To Serve
    • From Selfish to Selfless
  • Summary | Think Different
  • PART 2: HOW TO
    • How to...
    • 1. How to Become Determined
      • My Mission
    • 2. How to Make Decisions
      • Decisions Decisions
    • 3. How to Overcome Temptation
      • A Battle Plan
    • 4. How to Find Purpose
      • Finding Purpose
    • 5. How to Become Successful
      • Building Blocks of Success
    • 6. How to Be Present
      • Mantra - Free the Mind
    • 7. How to Avoid Mistakes
      • Learning through Hearing
    • 8. How to Face Death
      • Life’s Change Agent
    • 9. How to Find Love
      • Loving Connections
    • 10. How to Perceive Beauty
      • Enjoy, Ignore or Engage?
    • 11. How to Detect Divinity
      • Connection Points
    • 12. How to Spiritually Progress
      • Spiritual Flow
    • 13. How to Find Freedom
      • Big Questions
    • 14. How to Avoid Burnout
      • Sattva Life
    • 15. How to Become Detached
      • Eternal Assets
  • 16. How to Change Outlook
    • True Lies
  • 17. How to Perfect Your Speech
    • Real Conversations
  • 18. How to Conquer Fear
    • Face your Fears
  • Summary | How To
  • PART 3: WHY NOT
    • Why not?
    • 1. “I don’t have the time.”
      • Killing Time
    • 2. “I already know all of this.”
      • Library for Life
    • 3. “I have so many duties to fulfil.”
      • Work as Worship
    • 4. “I’m not intelligent enough.”
      • Walk the Talk
    • 5. “I’d prefer to practically help the world.”
      • News of the World
    • 6. “I’m too active – I just can’t focus.”
      • The Yoga of Writing
    • 7. “I trust science and fact, not spirituality and faith."
      • Faith Issues
    • 8. “I'll do it in the future.”
      • Enemies of Growth
    • 9. “I don’t follow organised religion."
      • Mechanics of Spirituality
    • 10. “I don’t experience God – I’ve never seen Him”
      • Time for God
  • 11. "I have too many difficulties in my life"
    • Digesting Life
  • 12. “I will lose all my friends.”
    • Best Friends
  • 13. “I’m already happy.”
    • Hierarchy of Needs
  • 14. "I have too many bad habits"
    • Four a Day
  • 15. “I’ll lose my ambition and won’t be successful."
    • Chasing Dreams
  • 16. “I see religion causes more problems.”
    • Spiritual Solutions
  • 17. “I’ve seen too much hypocrisy in religion.”
    • The Truth about Lying
  • 18. “I don’t want to be forced.”
    • 12 months, 12 goals!
  • Summary | Why Not
  • APPENDIX
    • Bhakti: The Yoga of Love
    • The Author
    • Wisdom that Breathes
    • Read the Bhagavad-gita As It Is Online
    • Support this work
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The Battlefield of Life

PreviousIntroductionNextThink Different

Last updated 2 years ago

In the epic masterpiece, Mahabharata, the longest poem in the world, the history of ancient India is documented. The story, full of twists and turns, romance and tragedy, philosophy and poetry, reaches its climax at the onset of a devastating war between a family in feud.

Over 5000 years ago, innumerable troops had converged on Kurukshetra (90 miles north of present-day Delhi) for what was billed as the greatest battle ever. Through a series of intrigues and conspiracies, the evil-minded Kauravas had usurped the throne of the Pandavas. Though born in the same clan, the Kauravas (sons of Dhritarastra) and the Pandavas (sons of Pandu) were at polar opposites. The former were plagued by greed, selfishness and pride, whereas the saintly Pandavas were individuals of the highest moral stature, dedicated to virtue, devotion and righteousness. Though grossly exploited and mistreated, the Pandavas repeatedly sought amicable means to redress the injustice, but the stubborn and greedy Kauravas were unwilling to budge an inch. Military battle and a trial of arms was inevitable.

Arjuna, the talented and dynamic Pandava archer who carried a heavyweight burden of expectation, readied himself for a face-off. As tumultuous battle cries pervaded the air, the distinguished warrior suddenly experienced a moment of doubt. He requested Krishna, the Supreme Person who had assumed the position of a humble driver, to steer his chariot to the middle of the battlefield. There, Arjuna registered the reality before him – the inevitable suffering and death that would consume his family, friends, fellow countrymen and soldiers who had assembled on that battlefield.

This triggered an existential confusion! In desperation, Arjuna began asking questions he had never raised before. These were the ‘big’ questions, inquiries pertaining to the happiness we all so much seek. These are the questions which linger deep within us all, but remain unaddressed in most people’s lifetime. A penetrating conversation with Krishna ensued, gems of invaluable wisdom surfaced, and the Bhagavad-Gita (‘the song of God’) was born.

The Gita was spoken to comfort, coach and convince Arjuna in his moment of weakness. Krishna’s purpose, however, was much broader. On our own ‘battlefield of life’ we’ll all encounter moments of confusion which prompt us to venture beyond the routine treadmill of life. The Bhagavad-Gita presents timeless answers to those perennial questions, offering an opportunity to upgrade our life on every conceivable level. Ancient wisdom, eternally relevant.

For each chapter we have referenced specific verses from the Bhagavad-Gita which will offer greater insight and inspiration. We encourage our readers to take full advantage of Gita3 by simultaneously referring to the .

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is