Indian Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the Fifth Global Bhagavad Gita Convention virtually. He stressed the need to translate the universal message of Bhagavad Gita into as many languages as possible for the benefit of the entire humanity.
The fifth Global Bhagavad Gita Convention is being organized in online mode by the Centre for Inner Resources Development (CIRD), North America. This year, it focuses on the theme of ‘Mental Harmony’.
Mental Stress and Mental Harmony
Talking about the theme of “Mental Harmony” the Vice President highlighted that mental stress is becoming an ‘all-pervading phenomenon in modern times and called for greater awareness and attention on the ‘critical health issue’.
He also said that even though the Bhagavad Gita is thousands of years old, its timeless message remains relevant to people, providing them perennial guidance and helping in restoring mental peace.
The Vice President observed that despite the prevalence of mental health issues, awareness remains low in India and there is a lot of stigmas associated with it.
Noting the pandemic’s added impact on the mental well-being of the people, he said that ‘more than anything else, we must be willing to have public conversations about the importance of mental health’.
Shri Naidu called upon popular figures from all fields ‘to talk and raise awareness among people on this important public health issue.’
The Vice President expressed concern about instances of students ending their lives when unable to cope with the stress caused by the pressures of studies.
Duties and Results
The Vice President highlighted the role of parents and teachers in counseling students, motivating them to face any adversity fearlessly, and to do their duty diligently without worrying about the result. ‘This is the essence of the Upadesa given by Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna’, he said.
In this regard, Shri Naidu suggested that every educational institution must have in-house counselors to help students overcome stressful situations. Governments everywhere must ensure compliance with this requirement, he added.
Appreciating the announcement by the Central government to launch a national tele-mental health program to provide 24×7 free counseling to people, the Vice President said that ‘this is an important step towards ensuring the mental well-being of people, especially those living in remote areas while ensuring their anonymity.
Shri Naidu also called for a ‘course correction in people’s lifestyles and to ensure a work-life balance for people’s well-being.
Suggesting measures like meditation, exercise, yoga to deal with stress, he emphasized the importance of spirituality in maintaining mental health.
“I firmly believe that spirituality is essential to discover one’s inner strength and mental peace. In this regard, I urge religious leaders to take the message of spirituality to the youth and the masses”, he said.
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Krishna and Arjuna
The Vice President said that the dialogue between Arjuna and his revered friend, philosopher, and guide Sri Krishna, on the plains of Kurukshetra, is one of eternal relevance.
He said that though Arjuna was gifted and wise and had spent the better part of his life perfecting his skills and the strategies required for the battlefield, yet was confronted with crippling self-doubt on the very first day of the great battle of Mahabharata.
Arjuna’s sense of despondency arose from the fact that he saw his own kith and kin, teachers and venerable elders, as a part of the opposing army.
As he surveyed the army of the adversary, his mind throws up doubts about the futility of the war that would annihilate his own relatives and people. Such was his despair that he loses all interest in the imminent battle and wishes to turn back.
That is when Sri Krishna, his charioteer and the guide by his side, counseled him, and painstakingly answered all the queries and concerns that arose in Arjuna’s mind.
The Vice President told that Sri Krishna’s lucid insights and perspectives enabled Arjuna to shed his indecisiveness. After bouncing back into a state of effective performance, casting aside the doubts thrown up by his mind, Arjuna was able to win the battle of Mahabharata and discharge his Dharmic duties.
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