The Gita is one of the most widely read spiritual texts in the world. Its universal message continues to ring true in every age, especially when we are faced, as we are today, with inexplicable atrocities of evil in the world. As a parable about conflict, the Bhagavad Gita exhorts us to realize that the greatest and most perpetual conflict lies within our own consciousness. (Read more for Choosing the Best Translation of the Bhagavad Gita for yourself.)
On the battlefield, Krishna coaches Arjuna toward right thought and action. He reminds him to remember God and fight: meaning to cling to truth, or fight for the victory of Divine consciousness in his own mind. We all must fight this daily battle between the impulses of good and evil that arise, and the inclinations to move away from our true nature toward a false attraction of sensory gratification. The Gita shows us that a simple choice lies at the basis of all that we face. Does this thought, word or action take me closer to God and my true nature or does it take me away from that experience? (Wondering Who is Lord Krishna?)
One of the passages I like the best reads, “When this I shall die, then I shall know who I truly am.” As long as we are giving in to the small self-centered “I,” we will never find peace. We have to continually identify and fight the voices inside our mind that fluctuate between proud and self-righteous, and critical and condemning, for they are all of the ego. We have to choose the still, small, kind voice of the true Self that reminds us we are beautiful souls who need to come home to our inherent strength, beauty, wisdom and love. (Read more in Yogapedia’s Interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita.)