In a world that’s drowning in noise, capitalism and digital illusions, the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita shows a path of light and hope. Priya Arora’s book, Life Is a Battlefield: Insights from the Eternal Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, decodes the messages that stemmed from a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the Kurukshetra battlefield.

The Gita, or the celestial song, was sung in the Dwaparyuga—an era when morals and ethics had crumbled. The battle that ensued was a result of an unethical approach to life within royal kin—a handful of Pandavas against the massive Kauravas. It was Krishna’s foresight and mastery in choosing to do the right thing at the right time that saved the kingdom and reinstated the Pandavas as the rightful heirs of the throne of Indraprastha—the kings who upheld dharma.

The Gita has been revered across the ages, and the current speed of change in the world has made it even more relevant. It propagates the theory of living in oneness with the universe and the creator. It neither promotes rituals nor thoughtless religious dogmas. It doesn’t distinguish between caste, race, different forms of worship, or anything that is visible and invisible to mankind. Its message is simple: live and let live in a just society, where all of creation is nourished and prospers.

A mere 700 verses, the Gita is a way of life that offers abundance, calm, and peace. It spreads the message of right action, right mindset, and the ability to navigate the ups and downs of life without losing your physical, mental, and spiritual balance. It draws upon the principles of the Vedas and is sometimes referred to as the Fifth Veda.

The book is divided into 14 chapters. Each chapter is focused on a specific aspect, for instance, happiness or the power of focus. Citing verses from the Gita, Arora goes on to explain the ways Krishna shows to achieve this aspect. Suited to current times, she intermingles the explanations with global research, philosophies, and other references that Generation Y and Alpha would absorb easily.

Written in a simple flow, it’s not a commentary but a rational approach to understanding the meaning of Sanatan Dharma, which literally means “eternal dharma” or “righteous way of life.” It encompasses values such as truth, honesty, respect for all beings, and compassion. It sets the stage for creating a universal brotherhood sharing the same set of moral and ethical values.

The book redefines the ritual space by decoding aspects that lie within us—the consciousness that connects us to the creator and helps us live a life in accordance with the brahman, the supreme consciousness.

There is a glossary at the end for the emoji generation that would perhaps need to know the meaning of certain words or phrases. Arora has given meaning and highlighted important aspects of the Sanatan Dharma philosophy, vocabulary and message within the chapters as well.

This book is a must-read, worthy of a long life on your bookshelf. It is a companion for those who seek the truth and the light in the dark hours and can be re-read umpteen times, for the message of the Bhagavad Gita is above time and space.

Book Details
Publisher: Ebury Press (Penguin Random House India)
Paperback: ‎320 pages
Language: English
Price: INR 399
Buy Here

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This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.