From a satsang with Paramacharya of SWAHA, H.H. Pt. Hardeo Persad
The mind must be trained to journey to the shore of the Jamuna River, where Shree Krishna once played in divine joy, engaging in divine leela: his sacred pastimes filled with divine love, bliss and spiritual ecstasy. If the mind remains untamed, unfocused and absorbed in worldly matters, we will drift farther from our true purpose. When directed toward the Divine, the same mind becomes a sacred channel for devotion, clarity and liberation.
Divine Leelas and Eternal Teachings
In the ancient realm of Gokula Puri, Bhagavan Krishna enchanted the hearts of His devotees. There, under the moonlit skies and beside the flowing Jamuna, He played and showered divine grace upon all. Even celestial beings descended to witness the sacred acts of Kanhaiyaa. These pastimes were not mere stories; they were infused with spiritual instruction, meant to inspire divine bliss and internal transformation.
However, Shree Krishna’s mission extended beyond Gokula. He left his devotees with divine memories to fulfill His dharma: to confront the evil of King Kansa, to restore dharma on Earth and to guide humanity through His immortal teachings, most notably as the charioteer and spiritual guide of Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita
As Arjuna’s charioteer, he guided him in the midst of mental confusion. In Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, when Arjuna stood overwhelmed by sorrow and confusion, unable to raise his bow against his own kin, Krishna revealed a profound truth:
“This body is temporary, but the soul is eternal. The soul is unborn, indestructible and cannot be pierced by weapons, burned by fire, soaked by water or dried by the wind.”
In these words, we are reminded of our true identity: not as the perishable body, but as the eternal jeev, the individual soul, a spark of Divine Consciousness. Shree Krishna assures us, “You are a part and parcel of Me.” Through His leelas and His wisdom, He leads us to the highest realisation, as enshrined in the Upanishads: Aham Brahmasmi. I am one with the Divine.
The Path of Equanimity
True happiness, Shree Krishna teaches, lies not in fleeting joys or temporary sorrows, but in equanimity: a mind undisturbed by pleasure or pain. The internal mental and emotional balance comes through detachment, not as cold indifference, but as freedom from expectations and results. He declares: “You have a right to your actions, but not to the fruits thereof.”
This is the heart of karma yoga: to act with dedication, sincerity and love, yet without selfish attachment. Whether offering a fruit, flower or even a drop of water, if it is given with devotion and humility, He says it is accepted by Him.
Let our every act become an offering, a sacred ritual where work becomes worship, and duty becomes divine service.
Living the Scripture: A Spiritual Responsibility
We are called not only to read and recite the Bhagavad Gita, but to live its wisdom. Its essence must be absorbed into the way we think, act and relate to the world. We must be genuine, honest and sincere. Let us remember that Bhagavan resides within all beings, as the indwelling soul. He sees our intentions, our struggles and our sincerity.
As we observe Krishna Janam Ashtami on August 15, 2025, let us remember that the solution to life is not in controlling, but in letting go, that is, surrendering ego, fear and expectation. Through surrender, we find strength. Through devotion, we discover joy, and through Shree Krishna’s guidance, we realise our divine nature.
