“In 1993, when I was studying at Gurukul in Nagpur, I was deeply engrossed in the study of Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. To gain a deeper understanding of its teachings, I sought out individuals who were either studying the Gita or practicing the principles it espoused. My guruji, Shri Chandraguptavarnakarji, recommended that I meet Bhapatji, a close associate of Gandhiji. Bhapatji had been in his early 30s when he was with Gandhiji and had travelled alongside him. I was genuinely curious to learn more about the Father of our Nation, as well as Gandhiji’s study of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. When I met Bhapatji, he shared some fascinating insights. Firstly, Gandhiji always referred to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita as his ‘sanatana mother,’ the eternal mother. Whenever he faced stress, disappointment, or challenging political situations, he would turn to the Gita for solace and guidance. Flipping through its pages, he would find verses that provided profound insights and solace, which was truly remarkable,” he says.

He adds, “Even today, people often say that when they can’t find a solution to a problem, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita offers guidance. The second intriguing lesson Bhapatji imparted was about “Apeksha Rahit karma,” the concept of performing actions without expecting specific outcomes. Bhapatji emphasised that expectation is tied to the result. People often hesitate, become overly concerned about the consequences, and eventually refrain from taking action, leading to inaction or negative karma, which goes against the principles of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. This deeper understanding highlights the distinction between karma (action) and non-karma (inaction). Shrimad Bhagavad Gita teaches that no action is entirely flawless; there are always imperfections. It’s the apprehension or excessive expectation of outcomes that makes it negative. The Gita teaches us to perform our actions as if we are serving God, the divine, or ultimate intelligence, as Gandhiji himself endorsed.”

Talking about his third teaching, he says, adding, “The third insight Bhapatji shared was Gandhiji’s perspective on people through the lens of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Gandhiji explained that existence is driven by three qualities: knowledge (Satav), action (Rajas), and emotion (Tamas). Individuals are often dominated by one of these qualities. Satava individuals seek knowledge, Rajas individuals focus on action, and Thamas individuals tend to be overly emotional. Those dominated by Thamas may listen and see more but speak less. Rajas individuals see and speak more but may not listen effectively. Satava individuals listen and speak but may not see things clearly. Gandhiji used three monkeys as symbols to remind himself of these three categories of people. He believed it was important to be conscious when interacting with individuals falling into these categories. This insight remains thought-provoking, as we encounter people in our lives with varying tendencies. On Gandhi Jayanti, I fondly recall the wisdom of the Father of our Nation and his profound insights into Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s core philosophy, as well as his symbolic use of the three monkeys to navigate human interactions.”