Gandhi and the Gita

Two teachings of the Bhagwad Gita appealed most to Gandhiji. The first one was anasakti, nonattachment, to the fruits of one’s actions, “Your business is with the action only; never with its fruits.” In his work Anasaktiyoga, Gandhiji explains the concept of anasakti in terms of the spirit with which one should perform one’s duties. The karma-yogi performs his duties with the understanding that it is by the will of destiny that he has been placed in a particular vocation and he must perform his duties with an attitude of total surrender to the Divine Will, for the benefit of society. The second teaching was that of attaining the exalted state of sthitaprajna, elaborated in 19 verses, that he read at the age of 18, in England. For him, these 19 verses represented the gist of the entire Gita. The yogin who has succeeded in freeing his mind from all attachment to objects of senses, is devoid of all fear and remains calm and composed even in adverse situations. Experiencing even-mindedness, he adopts a compassionate attitude towards all. Krishna cautions Arjuna that even those seekers who ceaselessly strive to curb their senses are not always successful. Gandhi writes, “The most important step towards the haven of security is to rein in the senses, which, if not kept in control, carry off even the wisest to the abyss. Physical starving of the senses works but as a temporary purpose; it is only when the intellect realises its moorings in the Highest and prevents the mind from wandering that one can feel secure.”

Source: Economic Times, 1/10/2019