Akshara Gita: Exploring the eternal wisdom of the Gita — one Akshara, one letter, at a time. - Exploring the eternal wisdom of the Gita

B- Bondage | Bhagavad Gita

July 3rd, 2025

For countless generations, rishis and saints have given us many ways to free ourselves from bondage. Krishna left no stone unturned to help Arjuna free himself from the bondage of the work on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

eṣā te ’bhihitā sāṅkhye
buddhir yoge tv imāṁ śṛṇu
buddhyā yukto yayā pārtha
karma-bandhaṁ prahāsyasi

Arjuna, this attitude of mind has been presented to you from the point of view of Jhanayoga; now hear the same as presented from the standpoint of Karmayoga (the Yoga of selfless action). Equipped with this attitude of mind, you will be able to throw off completely the shackles of Karma.

(BG 2.39)

So then, performing action is the means to free ourselves from bondage?

It looks simple that performing action is all there is to it. But, in truth, many don’t realize that even while performing actions, they are getting bound by it.

Whatever we do as in the action -its effort is being recorded. So why do some actions set us free, while others bind us?

In Chapter 2, verses 40-43, Krishna explains that the knowledge of karma requires resilience and determination. Those choosing this path gain, they lose nothing. Nothing goes to waste. However, people who lack complete knowledge know only how to satisfy their own senses. That entangles them more in the bondage of karma.

In Closing

What does this mean for us? The actions we perform and the efforts we make matter. But effort with even-mindedness are the ones that can help us break free from the bondage of karma.

To Take With You

When was the last time you performed an action with even-mindedness?

Until the next letter, next akshara. Shri Krishnaarpanamastu.
A- Attachment | Bhagavad Gita

July 2nd, 2025
Dhritarashtra knows which two sides are fighting in the battle. He’s not hesitant in showing on whose side he is. But, his question to Sanjaya exhibits his true inner state- fear as a result of attachment.

dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre
samavetā yuyutsavaḥ
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva
kim akurvata sañjaya

Dhrtarastra said: Sañjaya, gathered on the holy land of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?
(BG 1.1)

A straightforward question one might say. Dhritarashtra inquires about the battlefield and what happened to his sons. It seems like a logical question. But, then there are so many layers to this question and thus this is one of the many significant verses in Gita.

A few things we see in Dhritarashtra are that first, he is partial to his sons.

Second, he’s uncertain about the future and the way of his questions Sanjaya shows his fear and insecurities.

Last, he has an unrealistic expection that his sons will emerge victorious even though he knows Krishna is on the side of Pandavas.

Like the blind king, Dhritarashtra, we all exhibit these traits in our day-to-day life.
- We’re all blind to our own fears and insecurities
- Our attachments to our family, friends and things cause us anxiety, fear and suffering
- Unrealistic expectations lead to unhappiness and yet we do nothing about it
Living the Verse

Which attachments are causing you anxiety, fear, and suffering?

In closing,

It’s a common saying that Gita opens up for those who approach it with humbleness and surrender, just like Arjuna’s inner state at the beginning of the battle.

But the first verse becomes a mirror for us and takes us through our inner situation before we can truly surrender.

Until the next letter, next akshara. Shri Krishnaarpanamastu.

B- Bondage | Bhagavad Gita

A- Attachment | Bhagavad Gita

Living the Verse

In closing,