The ultimate truth of life cannot be gained by scholarship, theoretical knowledge or painstaking study but has to be imbibed and internalised as an experience in one's consciousness. This is the greatest challenge for the spiritual seeker because one has to go beyond the senses, mind, intellect — the powerful faculties of the Jivatma — to understand it. That is why the Vedas and the Upanishads, believed to be a storehouse of the truths of this world and beyond, are the records of the revelations of sages who were engaged in austere penance to seek this knowledge.
Our spiritual tradition is based on the Guru-Sishya link to transmit the knowledge of the ultimate truth from time immemorial. A Guru or a preceptor is believed to be a knower of Truth, one who has directly perceived it, and one who will somehow impart this to a deserving disciple. At times the Lord, the primordial Guru, incarnates to establish the truth.
The Bhagavad Gita , which is the essence of the Upanishads, is a simple and direct exposition of the ultimate truth by the Supreme Brahman Himself and is thus the most valuable and accessible text for every one of us who has to strive to cross the cycle of birth, said Swami Omkarananda in a lecture. Arjuna exemplifies the spirit of a true seeker, and is fortunate to be taught by the most pre-eminent Guru.
Arjuna is both humble and sincere when he surrenders at the Lord's feet and wishes to be guided by Him. At a crucial moment he was determined to turn away from war when he felt despondent on realising his predicament of fighting his own kinsmen. Was he not in the wrong to fight his own preceptors and relatives? What option would be beneficial (Sreyas) rather than merely preferable (Preyas)?
The Lord began His advice by teaching the truth of the Self that is indestructible and brought out the distinct features of the Self as against the body-mind-complex that is temporary. The Lord highlights the inevitability of death that happens as a matter-of-fact with every individual and urges each one to lead upright lives following the paths of Karma, Jnana and Bhakti for salvation.
