CMS College(Bhagvad Gita Teachings): There can be no better guide than Bhagavad Gita to understand the role of illusion and attachment in our life journey. In Indian philosophy, Maya is understood as the illusory forms of the world, while attachment is the noun of desires and attachments growing in our hearts, which confuse us from the truth. If we believe that this world is bound by illusion and attachment, then what steps should we take to live our lives in the right direction? In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna has given us important thoughts about this, by adopting which we can get free from all this and move towards real peace.
Meaning of Maya: Temporary world and illusion (what is ‘Maya’)-
In the Bhagvad Gita, Shri Krishna clearly states that the world we are seeing physically is temporary and changeable. In the 15th chapter of the Gita, he explains this with the example of a huge Ashwattha tree. The tree has its roots in the upper world, while its branches spread downwards, symbolizing the instability and illusion of the world. We need to understand that every aspect of this world, be it fame, wealth, relationships—all are in some way mutable and have no stability. The true reality resides only in the soul, which is constant and unchanging.
What is ‘Moh’-
Like Maya, attachment also represents our state of ignorance and being stuck in illusory elements. When we have excessive attachment in life—be it material possessions, fame, or a relationship—we move away from the truth. In the Gita, Lord Krishna repeatedly emphasizes that we can never know true happiness if we live our lives bound by our inherent desires and attachments. All this is only temporary and ultimately this attachment leads us to the path of sorrow, worry and suffering. Therefore, Krishna told Arjuna that we should move towards our spiritual goal by getting rid of attachment and ignorance.
How should we live? Teachings from the Gita (‘Bhagwad Gita life teachings’)-
According to the Bhagavad Gita, when we understand that Maya and attachment are only illusions, we should change our thinking and actions by understanding the real purpose of life. Some of the key guidance given by Lord Krishna in the Gita call us to change the course of our life in the right direction:
Unblemished Karmayoga (‘Karmayoga’)-
The most important teaching of the Gita is Karmayoga, which means that we should engage in work with full devotion and honesty, but should not think too much about the results. Shri Krishna tells Arjuna that “Your right is only in doing the work, not in its result.” This gives the message that we should live by completely devoting ourselves to the work we are doing, and stop worrying about its results. This is the main message of the Gita, through which we can rise above illusion and attachment.
Dedication to God –
In the Gita, Lord Shri Krishna also told that we should completely dedicate our lives to God. When we do every work of life considering it as God’s will, then we move on the right path of real life. In the 18th chapter of the Gita, Krishna says, “Leave all kinds of duties and surrender to me.” When we work with this feeling of dedication, then along with freedom from attachment and illusion, we can get real happiness and peace.
Recognizing the spiritual truth –
In the Gita, Lord Shri Krishna teaches us to go beyond our physical form and recognize the true form of our soul. When we understand that our true identity is in the soul, not in the body or material things, we can escape the trap of attachment and illusion. The soul never perishes, while the material world and the body are only temporary. This helps us understand the reality of life.
Meditation and Self-realization –
Meditation and Self-realization are also emphasized in the Gita. Krishna taught his disciples that regular meditation is necessary for peace of mind and body. Through this meditation, we can maintain our mental and spiritual balance, which can lead to freedom from attachment and illusion. In the 6th chapter of the Gita, Krishna has described meditation as very important, and said that through meditation we can connect with the soul.
Accepting the Volatility of Time –
Another important teaching of the Gita is that we should accept the instability of time and circumstances. Both happiness and sorrow in life are temporary. Krishna explained to Arjuna that only when we are able to understand these impermanences, we can live life peacefully without focusing on them.
Conclusion-
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Shri Krishna has made it clear that we can take our life in the right direction without falling into the illusion of Maya and attachment. Through Karmayoga, surrender to God, self-knowledge and sadhana, we can find peace and satisfaction in our life. When we understand that all things in this material world are temporary, we can avoid getting trapped in the web of attachment and illusion. This message of the Gita inspires us to make life balanced and purposeful.
