In this blog, readers will discover the secret to maintaining inner peace irrespective of the external situation.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding peace amidst the hustle and bustle can often feel like chasing a mirage. We are constantly bombarded with situations that test our patience and equanimity, from the pressures of daily responsibilities to the inevitable ups and downs of personal relationships. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered scriptures of Hindu philosophy, offers timeless wisdom on how to maintain an inner calm, regardless of the turmoil around us.
One of the most insightful verses is "Chapter 12, Verse 15", where Shree Krishna describes the qualities of a true devotee, qualities that we can all strive to cultivate in our own lives:
"Those who are not a source of annoyance to anyone and, in turn, are not agitated by anyone, who are equal in pleasure and pain, and free from fear and anxiety – such devotees of mine are very dear to me."
This verse encapsulates the essence of what spiritual growth means - the ability to remain steady, calm, and unperturbed, no matter what life throws at us. In this blog, we will explore these divine qualities to incorporate them into our own lives. We will look at how the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita can help us become better, calmer, and more compassionate human beings.
Become a Source of Peace, Not Annoyance
Shree Krishna begins by emphasizing the importance of being someone who does not irritate or annoy others. While this may seem like a simple and straightforward directive, it has profound implications for our day-to-day behavior. In a world where interactions with others can sometimes become strained, maintaining a gentle, calm demeanor can be challenging. Yet, this is exactly what Shree Krishna asks of His devotees – to live in such a way that our presence brings peace, rather than disturbance, to others.
Being a source of annoyance usually stems from selfish motives, envy, or a lack of empathy. When we place our own desires above the well-being of others, we inevitably create friction. Instead, Shree Krishna’s teachings encourage us to shift our focus outward, to consider the feelings, needs, and perspectives of others. When we see others as deserving of respect and kindness, there is no room for negative emotions like jealousy, anger, or resentment.
A story shared in Swami Mukundananda ji's spiritual discourses illustrates this beautifully. In a certain town, there were two spiritual orators – "Kulashekhar," a much-loved speaker, and "Nambiar," who was less popular. Kulashekhar’s talks were filled with wisdom and sweetness, drawing large crowds. Nambiar, on the other hand, struggled to attract listeners and became increasingly jealous of Kulashekhar. One day, Nambiar, overcome by envy, stormed into Kulashekhar’s gathering and insulted him publicly.
Instead of reacting angrily or feeling humiliated, Kulashekhar remained calm. In fact, the next morning, Kulashekhar went to Nambiar’s house to apologize, asking if he had unintentionally offended him in some way. This act of profound humility melted Nambiar’s heart, and the two became close friends. We invite you to listen to this beautiful story narrated by Swami Mukundananda.
This story highlights a key lesson: When we let go of our ego and our need to "win" arguments or retaliate against insults, we create harmony rather than discord. By striving to not be a source of annoyance to others, we reflect the divine nature within us, cultivating peace and goodwill in all our interactions.
Don't get Agitated by Others' Behavior
The second virtue Shree Krishna highlights is the ability to remain unaffected by others’ behavior. In life, people will inevitably upset or provoke us. No matter how well-intentioned or kind we may be, there will always be individuals who criticize, oppose, or misunderstand us. Even the greatest saints faced opposition and persecution, often from those who felt threatened by their teachings or way of life.
The key to spiritual growth, however, is learning not to let such opposition disturb our peace. Just as an elephant calmly walks through a village while the dogs bark, we too must learn to carry on with dignity and composure, no matter what others say or do. The great saint Tulsidas used this analogy in his writings: When an elephant enters a village, the dogs bark, but the elephant pays no attention. The elephant doesn’t lose its dignity by reacting to the barking dogs – it simply continues on its path.
Likewise, we must learn to remain unaffected by the words and actions of others. When we allow others to upset us, we are essentially giving them control over our emotions. If every harsh word or minor insult stirs up anger or resentment within us, it means we still have a long way to go on our spiritual journey.
An amusing story helps to bring this point to life. A husband and wife were visiting relatives in India, and as is common in large families, the husband had three sisters. Two of the sisters were kind and accommodating, but the third sister had a more quarrelsome nature. The wife often found herself getting irritated by this sister’s behavior and would frequently complain to her husband about it. Finally, the husband, tired of the constant complaints, said, “Look, I agree that my sister’s behavior is bad, but I can’t control her actions. You have to decide whether you will let her behavior upset you. That is your choice.” [Relish this interesting story through this link.]
This lesson applies to all of us. We cannot control how others behave, but we can control our own reactions. If we allow every minor annoyance or insult to disturb us, we are only hurting ourselves. A key milestone on the spiritual path is the ability to remain calm and composed, regardless of what others do or say. This is a sign of true inner strength and maturity.
Become Equanimous in Pleasure and Pain
One of the greatest challenges in life is learning to treat pleasure and pain with equal detachment. We are naturally inclined to seek out pleasurable experiences and avoid painful ones. However, Shree Krishna’s teachings remind us that both pleasure and pain are fleeting. Neither is permanent, and neither should be allowed to disturb our inner peace.
When we indulge in pleasures, they are enjoyable at the moment, but they do not offer any lasting benefit. For example, you may have had a wonderful meal five days ago, but the pleasure from that meal is long gone, and it has left no permanent impact on your life. On the other hand, when we endure hardships or challenges, they often lead to significant personal growth. The discomfort may be temporary, but the lessons we learn and the strength we gain from overcoming adversity stay with us for a lifetime.
There is a well-known story of a loyal donkey that illustrates this point. A farmer had an old donkey that had served him faithfully for many years. One day, the donkey fell into a well. The farmer, seeing no way to rescue the animal, decided to bury it. He began shoveling dirt into the well, intending to cover the donkey and let it die. However, each time dirt landed on the donkey’s back, the donkey shook it off and stepped up. Gradually, as more dirt was shoveled into the well, the donkey continued to rise higher and higher, until it was able to step out of the well and escape.
The lesson is clear: Life’s challenges can either bury us or help us rise. It all depends on how we respond. When we view difficulties as opportunities for growth, we transform adversity into a stepping stone for spiritual progress.
Similarly, we must not get too attached to pleasure, nor should we fear pain. Both are part of life’s natural ebb and flow, and neither should be given undue importance. By maintaining a sense of detachment and equanimity, we can navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and poise.
Be Free from Fear and Anxiety
Finally, Shree Krishna emphasizes the importance of being free from fear and anxiety. In today’s world, anxiety has become an all-too-common affliction. We worry about the future, about our careers, relationships, and health. Much of this anxiety stems from our attachment to outcomes – we fear that things will not go the way we want them to, and this fear paralyzes us.
The Bhagavad Gita offers a profound solution to this problem: surrender. When we surrender our desires and our need to control every aspect of our lives to the will of the Divine, we free ourselves from the burden of anxiety. This doesn’t mean we become passive or indifferent to life’s challenges. Rather, we continue to perform our duties with dedication and commitment, but we let go of the attachment to the results.
This principle of Karma Yog – performing actions without attachment to the outcome – is one of the central teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. When we focus on doing our best, without worrying about whether we will succeed or fail, we liberate ourselves from the cycle of fear and anxiety.
For instance, consider a student preparing for an important exam. If the student is consumed by a fear of failure, they may be too anxious to study effectively. However, if the student adopts the mindset of karma yog, they will focus on studying to the best of their ability, trusting that the outcome is in the hands of the Divine. This shift in perspective allows the student to study with a calm mind, free from the crippling fear of failure.
Cultivating Divine Qualities in Daily Life
So, how do we begin to cultivate these divine qualities in our own lives? The Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom, but applying it in the modern world requires conscious effort and practice. Here are a few practical steps to get started:
- Practice Mindfulness: Regularly check in with yourself to assess your emotional state. Are you getting annoyed easily? Are you allowing others’ words or actions to disturb your peace? By becoming more aware of your reactions, you can begin to work on them.
- Develop Compassion: Try to see things from others’ perspectives. When someone is rude or hurtful, remember that they may be going through their own internal struggles. Respond with kindness and understanding, rather than anger or judgment.
- Embrace Challenges: Instead of avoiding difficulties, face them head-on. View every challenge as an opportunity for growth, much like the donkey that used the dirt to climb out of the well. Challenges are not obstacles to be feared, but stepping stones to higher spiritual growth.
- Let Go of the Need for Control: Surrender your need to control every aspect of your life and trust in the Divine plan. When you let go of the need to control, you free yourself from the constant worry about what may or may not happen. This practice of surrender brings peace and freedom from anxiety.
Conclusion: Walking the Path to Inner Peace
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita offer timeless wisdom on how to live a life of peace, equanimity, and spiritual growth. By cultivating the qualities of humility, detachment, and surrender, we can rise above the noise and confusion of the world and connect with our true divine nature.
As you continue on your spiritual journey, remember that the goal is not to avoid life’s challenges, but to remain undisturbed by them. In this way, we can experience the profound inner peace that comes from living in alignment with divine wisdom.
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