Chatuh Sloki Bhagavad Gita - Tanu Goyal (Grade 11)

The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient text from the epic story of Mahabharata, summarizing the dialogue between Lord Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead, and Prince Arjuna. Taking place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, it demonstrates Arjuna’s dilemma of fighting against his own kin. 

Though it contains 700 verses, the Bhagavad Gita can be summarized into 4 verses, known as the Chatur Sloki. Found in Chapter 10, Vibhuti Yoga or the Opulence of the Absolute, the four verses are 10.8-11. They show that everything emanates from Krishna and that he is the source of the spiritual and material worlds. The ones who engage in his devotional service and worship him with a true and peaceful mind are capable of reaching his celestial abode, Goloka. 

Additionally, the Bhagavad Gita summarizes that if one constantly devotes themself to Krishna with love and a true/clean mind, he’ll give them the understanding to get to Goloka. This devotion is shown through devotional service, starting from Abhyasa (Practice) and reaching towards Tyaga (Renunciation). 

Through these 4 verses, Krishna has also emphasized that as a form of special mercy, he destroys darkness/ignorance with goodness. When somebody takes one step towards him, he takes 10 steps towards them and fulfills all desires. Though the Chatur Sloki encapsulates the entire Bhagavad Gita, it also gives an understanding of moral values like compassion and what it means to be a good leader. 

True compassion comes from helping/understanding others while following one’s duty as well. Whether it be in the form of praying for someone we don’t know when hearing the ambulance or sharing the last slice of pizza, compassion is really just the first step in one’s journey to the spiritual world. 

With so many more teachings, the Bhagavad Gita has brought millions to spiritual practice and a new future.