The Last Gita: What Krishna told Uddhava

Before Krishna left his body, he gave Uddhava, his close friend, the last Gita. This is known as the Uddhava Gita. It is one of the Pancha Gita, the five songs of the Divine, that is soaked in dispassion, in Vairagya.

Krishna tells Uddhava, “Be dispassionate.” Dispassion is often misunderstood. We think it means wanting nothing at all. When we see someone sitting with a long and serious face, we think he is dispassionate, a Vairagi. It is not so. The sign of dispassion is not dullness. The sign of dispassion is enthusiasm. You are peaceful, energetic, and happy when you have dispassion. Unfortunately, we have confused dispassion with depression. The so-called dispassionate people look so depressing and dull, untidy. Not wearing clean clothes, not combing, not trimming the nails-people tend to call all these signs of ‘dispassion’. Cleanliness abd hygiene are not at all opposed to the principle of dispassion.

Dispassion means a broader vision of life. It is freedom from the thirst for perceptible and celestial enjoyment. Dispassion is skillfully handling the objects of the senses and bringing the senses to the Self. Dispassion is the supremacy of consciousness in you.

So let go of your attachments. Let go of this and that, whether big or small. Attachment keeps the mind restless, always running toward more. It brings feverishness, and feverishness in desires takes away your peace of mind. When you are cantered, you act without wanting to grab or take anything. Your action becomes perfect, free from blemishes.

Either you see everything as perfect, or you see nothing as perfect. Your desire for perfection is often the cause of your anger. Leave a little room for imperfection, and the mind grows still. In both cases, move toward your inner perfection.

Wake up and see clearly. You are not the body, you are not the mind, you are not your emotions. You are not the many roles you play. Distance yourself from all this. See your vast, beautiful nature within.

Life needs both passion and dispassion together. Breathing in is passion, breathing out is dispassion, and both are essential. Passion without dispassion leads to depression. Not every desire gets fulfilled right away. You need patience to pursue your passion, and patience blossoms only through dispassion.

We learn to hold onto things early in life. Young children are so attached to cotton candy. If you keep a sweet in front of them, they just want to grab and eat it. But as they grow older, the craving for sweets and toys drops off on its own. They did not have to make an effort to detach from that. The same maturity must come for our inner attachments. Without letting go, you cannot rest. If the mind gets stuck on a particular thought, your sleep is ruined. Relax your mind before you sleep each night. Dispassion brings restful, sound sleep and a glowing face with a smile.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya once asked a beautiful question: “Kasya sukham na karoti Viraga?” What happiness can dispassion not bring you? There is no joy that dispassion cannot bring. One who is galloping on desires has no peace. One who is established in the self has no desires.

Your consciousness alone is real. It was, it is, and it will always be. That is the whole essence of Uddhav Gita. That is exactly what happens in meditation. We enter a different realm of our consciousness that was hidden from our awareness.

(The author is a global humanitarian leader and spiritual master who founded The Art of Living in1981. As Gurudev turns 70 and The Art of Living steps into the 45th year of making life a celebration on this planet, month long celebrations are underway at The Art of Living International centre with eminent personalities from the sphere of politics, entertainment, arts, academia and faith arriving at the centre for thoughtful conversations, cultural showcases and launch of several service initiatives.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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