Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated today all over the country as the birthday of lord Krishna. Krishna has been a God whose eternal wisdom in the form of Gita, as imparted to Arjuna in the battle field of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata war, is considered the most practical lesson for leading an ideal life in this world. This is the reason why the lord is also considered the most celebrated guru or teacher who transformed the Pandava Prince Arjuna. A reluctant and dejected member of the clan, Arjuna did not wish to fight the battle and lays down his bow and arrow at the feet of the God, saying he considered the war a futile effort. It was then that lord Krishna gave the greatest knowledge of karma (duty) to Arjuna and motivated him to become a ferocious warrior. But this is not the whole story. Gita is the eternal wisdom that explains the realities of life and how to best cope with the vicissitudes and challenges that living in this world poses. These days, as life throws many dilemmas and anxieties, life skills are becoming a highly sought-after set of abilities that would help a person cope with the demands of this mundane world. As many so-called gurus emerge on the scene, offering courses and lessons on life skills to all and sundry — obviously for cashing in on the opportunity — it makes sense to revisit the Gita and recapitulate the essentials of life skills that would give the much-needed resilience to the people who are utterly confused and often land up in mess. What Gita offers cannot be easy to sum up because it is a very practical philosophy of living a life, but still an attempt has been made to identify the crucial lessons on life skills. That life is a struggle cannot be refuted and the only way to survive in this struggle is by fighting it out. So the crucial lesson in life skills is to hang around or as the cricket coach always advises to his batsmen — stay on the wicket. Just stay there and play your part, that is to face those deliveries, the challenges which life like a bowler throws. The life is all about duty. Another important lesson of Gita is to do your duty with all your mind, all your body, all your soul. Half-hearted efforts do not meet with much success. But there is yet another wisdom to be learnt. Often, the biggest weakness is that we often link efforts with results. But this is a trap. Where efforts are made with a craving for reward, the effort itself gets diluted. So the trick lies in making full efforts but realising that rewards may not follow. This is what the lord has suggested. Actions are what you have a right to, but results depend on lord’s wish. It must be remembered that God is the supreme arbiter and he will give you your due. Therefore, do your duty but do not bother for the results. Though there is a commitment by the God in the Gita, that if what your desire is backed by noble intention and pursued through the path of dharma, it will be granted. Gita says remove your fears, doubts, and ignorance. Dedicate your duty to the lord, who is your friend, philosopher, and guide. Only, you need to have full faith in God.

Pathak is a professor of management, writer, and an acclaimed public speaker. He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com