Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered scriptures from India, is rather esoteric in nature. Many of us dread wading into its deep waters to understand the profound truths it mentions. If we were to overcome our hesitation, we are apt to find ways that could enable us to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
Bhagavad Gita is a great manual of motivation. At its beginning, we find a confused and despondent Arjuna who wants to abandon his duties as a warrior and wonders how he could kill his family seniors, teachers, and cousins. A friendly dialogue between him and Lord Krishna follows. We learn of the immortality of the soul. We understand the virtues of equanimity. We are briefed on the nuances of Karma Yoga, Gyan Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. The need to rein in our ego, desires, anger, and senses gets highlighted. So does the importance of practicing detachment from the rewards of any work or action taken. We are advised to always live in the present. We understand the role of free will and destiny in our lives. In essence, we learn how to live a happier and contented life.
By the end of the seven hundred verses, we find a mentally rejuvenated and motivated Arjuna, willing to stand up for the rights of himself and his brothers and fight a war that would uphold dharma, the path of righteousness.
Bollywood has no dearth of poets who keep churning out soul-stirring lyrics, some of which connect us to what Bhagavad Gita says. Movie songs are meant for mass entertainment and contain messages in simple words, whereas the lessons from the scripture happen to be rather complex. Even though a perfect match is not possible, it is instructive to see if the underlying thoughts of these two diverse streams match to some extent.
Here is a random selection of Hindi movie songs that, I believe, could help us grasp a bit of some of the key lessons that the scripture offers.
Despondency
Almost all of us have passed through quite a few depressing phases in our lives. Times when things looked hopeless. Occasions when we thought of running away from it all. We could not see things clearly. Confusion prevailed.
Aye mere dil kahin aur chal…
Movie: Daag (1952)
Singer: Talat Mahmood
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Teri duniya mein jeene se…
Movie: House No. 44 (1955)
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Music: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Ye duniya agar mil bhi jaaye…
Movie: Pyaasa (1957)
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Music: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Immortality
Movie songs which speak of this facet of our souls invariably have a love-based background. However, the underlying sentiment remains the same.
Sau baar janam lenge…
Movie: Ustadon Ke Ustad (1963)
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Music: Ravi
Lyrics: Asad Bhopali
Janam janam ka saath hai…
Movie: Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai (1969)
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Janam Janam ka saath hai…
Movie: Bheegi Palkein (1982)
Singers: Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Jugal Kishore–Tilak Raj
Lyrics: M. G. Hashmat
Equanimity
Not getting unduly elated when something positive happens, and not getting overly sad when something negative happens – well, it is not easy to reach a mental state of that kind. But we can surely take inspiration from some of our heroes who speak about it.
Mein zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya…
Movie: Hum Dono (1961)
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Music: Jaidev
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Ye jeevan hai…
Movie: Piya Ka Ghar (1972)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Ye jeena hai angoor ka daana…
Movie: Khatta Meetha (1978)
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Usha Mangeshkar
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Gulzar
Duty
Performing our duty to the best of our ability is what Bhagavad Gita recommends. In fact, it emphasises that our right is only to do work, not to its reward. As mortal beings, we have no other option but to keep working.
Suraj re jalte rehna…
Movie: Harishchandra Taramati (1963)
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics: Pradeep
Nadiya chale chale ye dhara…
Movie: Safar (1970)
Singer: Manna Dey
Music: Kalyanji Anandji
Lyrics: Indeevar
Ruk jaana nahin…
Movie: Imtihan (1974)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Knowledge
Acquiring knowledge need not always be a boring part of our lives. Learning is not necessarily about the tyranny of a classroom. It can also be fun.
Eechak dana, beechak dana…
Movie: Shri 420 (1955)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Bum bum bole…
Movie: Taare zameen par (2007)
Singers: Shaan, Armaan Malik, Aamir Khan
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi
Khol de par…
Movie: Hichki (2018)
Singer: Arijit Singh
Music: Jasleen Royal
Lyrics: Raj Shekhar
Devotion
To be in a state of constant remembrance of the divine is to enjoy unalloyed bliss. Surrender to a higher power follows.
Ae malik tere bande hum…
Movie: Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Vasant Desai
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Ye kaun chitrakaar hai…
Movie: Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti (1967)
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Satish Bhatia
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Khwaja mere khwaja…
Movie: Jodha Akbar (2008)
Singer and Composer: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics: Kashif
Detachment
We love being in our comfort zones. We place a higher premium on relationships the true worth of which is known only when we face a disaster in our lives. A realisation dawns that we should be grateful for whatever support we are receiving. After all, no one will die along with us. Attachment leads to disillusionment and disappointment. However, by remaining detached from rewards, relationships, and situations, we can lead a happier life.
Man re tu kaahe na dheer dhare…
Movie: Chitralekha (1964)
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Music: Roshan
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Yahan kaun hai tera, musafir…
Movie: Guide (1965)
Singer/Composer: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Ek din bik jayega mati ke mol…
Movie: Dharam Karam (1975)
Singer: Mukesh
Music: R. D. Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Reining in our desires
The Western concept of boosting economies is rooted in the concept of creating and fulfilling desires. However, Bhagavad Gita exhorts us to limit our desires, so as to attain a state of contentment and happiness.
Kai bar yuhin dekha hai…
Movie: Rajnigandha (1974)
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Salil Chowdhury
Lyrics: Yogesh
Aye dil-e-nadaan…
Movie: Razia Sultan (1983)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: Khayyam
Lyrics: Jan Nisar Akhtar
Hazaaron khwahishen aisi…
TV Series: Mirza Ghalib (1988)
Singer and Composer: Jagjit Singh
Destiny and Free Will
According to Bhagavad Gita, our past and present actions shape our destiny. It is within this paradigm that we exercise our so-called free will. Time exerts a mighty influence on the course of our lives.
Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam…
Movie : Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)
Singer: Geeta Dutt
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Waqt se din aur raat…
Movie: Waqt (1965)
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Music Director: Ravi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Haathon ki chand lakeeron ka…
Movie: Vidhaata (1982)
Singer: Suresh Wadkar
Music Director: Kalyanji Anandji
Lyrics by: Anand Bakshi
Three kinds of attributes
Lord Krishna speaks of three gunas that are present in different proportions in all things and beings in the world. The interplay of these determines our character and governs our thoughts, our utterances, and our actions, thereby determining the progress of our lives.
Sattva denotes benevolence, calmness, goodness, and harmony. Rajas represents passion, activity, and movement. Tamas captures ignorance, inertia, malevolence, and laziness. The songs below follow in the same order.
Kisiki muskurahaton pe ho nisaar…
Movie: Anari (1959)
Singer: Mukesh
Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Kandhon se milte hain kandhe…
Movie: Lakshya (2004)
Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Roop Kumar Rathod, Kunal Ganjawala and Vijay Prakash
Music: Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Husn ke lakhon rang…
Movie: Johny Mera Naam (1970)
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Music: Kalyanji Anandji
Lyricist: Indeevar
Living in the present
There is no point in regretting what happened in the past. Nor is there any sense in worrying about what may happen in the future. By learning to remain in the present, we can live happier lives.
Aage bhi jaane na tu…
Movie: Waqt (1965)
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Music: Ravi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Aane wala pal jaane wala hai…
Movie: Golmaal (1979)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: R. D. Burman
Lyrics: Gulzar
Ye lamha filhaal jeene de…
Movie: Filhaal (2002)
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Music: Anu Malik
Lyrics: Gulzar
Values and ethics
A life lived without values and ethics is like a rudderless boat adrift on the high seas. A compass of fairness and justice can help us to navigate the choppy waters better.
Insaaf ki dagar pe…
Movie: Gunga Jamuna (1961)
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Hothon pe sachchai rehti hai…
Movie: Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Hai (1961)
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Sajan re jhoot mat bolo…
Movie: Teesri Kasam (1966)
Singer: Mukesh
Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Constant Remembrance
The yearning of a soul to get united with the Supreme gets captured rather poignantly in these compositions.
O re manjhi…
Movie: Bandini (1963)
Singer and Composer: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Laga chunri mein daag…
Movie: Dil Hi To Hai (1963)
Singer: Manna Dey
Music: Roshan and Omi Sonik
Lyrics : Sahir Ludhianvi
How does one achieve this goal? Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna the way He can be attained. Anyone who remains in a state of constant remembrance, even while engaged in worldly duties, can do so. Consider verse 56 from Chapter 18:
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रय: |
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् || 18.56||
sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ
mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam
Even performing all actions always taking refuge in Me, he attains through My grace, the eternal and immutable destination. (18.56)
Moving ahead
One of the unique features of the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna is that whereas rich lessons are imparted by the teacher, there is no pressure on the disciple to follow the advice rendered. The decision is left to the disciple. He chooses to move ahead in life with renewed gusto and enthusiasm.
Saathi haath badhana…
Movie: Naya Daur (1957)
Singers: Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle
Music: O. P. Nayyar
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai…
Movie: Guide (1965)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Music: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Thaan liya…
Movie: Dasvi (2022)
Singers: Sukhwinder Singh & Tanishkaa Sanghvi
Music: Sachin-Jigar
Lyrics: Ashish Pandit
Some key takeaways
Bhagavad Gita has a unique depth of thought. It paints a wide canvas of concepts. It not only puts the onus of living a fulfilling life on an aspirant but also offers an assurance by Lord Krishna. He commits Himself to the overall welfare of common folk. He promises that whenever there is a loss of dharma, He would return to the mortal world to destroy the negative forces.
Here is a composition rendered by Jagjit Singh which is worthy of our attention.
To sum up
Having gone through this blog post, some of you may take a jaundiced view and hold it to be a frivolous attempt which denigrates the Bhagavad Gita. Far from it. Instead, the idea here is to celebrate this unique scripture which explains the true reality of life. When these truths get conveyed in a simpler language, through the lyrics of Hindi movie songs, they become easier to grasp and brood upon.
Hopefully, this humble endeavour of mine would prompt you to pick up the original scripture itself and wade into its pristine waters which contain countless gems of wisdom.
Notes:
- The Krishna-Arjuna illustration is reproduced with permission from the illustrator, Arati Shedde, and Heartfulness Magazine – www.heartfulnessmagazine.com.)
- Thanks are due to Mr. Prakash Kanungo and Mr. S. G. Maheshwari for having suggested this topic. The idea came up during a get-together over a cup of tea some time during 2023.
- Inputs from Mr. H. C. Verma are gratefully acknowledged.
- Translation of Gita verse 18.56 courtesy Mr. Ashok Narain.
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ashokbhatia 
Kudos, AKB. I am very impressed – the theme and its execution are laudable! This must have taken tons of research.
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Thanks, Madhulika. Yes, it had been simmering within me for quite some time. There are quite a few other songs relevant to the theme but I had decided that each topic will not have more than three songs. One I had to miss out in particular, regrettably, is the one from Seema – Tu pyar ka sagar hai.
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Excellent essay covering the multiple instructions that Bhagavadgita imparts to us. They are illustrated with appropriate Bollywood songs, although I am not familiar with some of them. The equanimity of a realized soul, as elaborately detailed in the second chapter, is well addressed in some Bollywood songs. The impermanence of the body and the indestructibility of the soul, as also discussed in the same chapter, however, are perhaps less so in the popular songs.
By the way, Bhagavadgita has only 700 verses.
Congratulations on a fine essay, meticulously researched and amply illustrated with some memorable songs.
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Thank you for your insightful observations. Coming from someone like you who is an erudite scholar, the comment is precious indeed.
My apologies for misquoting the number of verses. I am correcting it.
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Absolutely brilliant one sir! In fact, I feel, one should mandatorily go through this to gain knowledge in the Bhagawat Gita in a very light manner. Rgrds
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Yes, I agree that those who are interested in exploring the Gita would find this write up of some interest.
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Sir, this is absolute genius! this kind of cross-reference is so relatable. You should label it Bhagwat Gita for the masses. I’ve shared with my literary & like-minded friends groups. Kudos to you for this piece. Suraj Sriwastav – an admirer.
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Glad you liked it, Suraj Sriwastav. Bhagavad Gita is a repository of timeless wisdom. Hope this article will induce people to go through it.
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Lemme start with the idea of collaboration of Bhagwat Geeta teachings with Bollywood songs….Kudos to your research of songs,its like finding appropriate pearls from ocean and then sewing them at their place. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and listening the lyrics…..Hats off
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Thank you, Vandana Bhatia, for going through and commenting. Glad you found it of use.
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This is excellent attempt to illustrate the wonderful facts of Bhagavadgita, in the lines of popular songs. Gita is not at all demeaned here, rather those songs have obtained spiritual flavour of Bhagavadgita. Here are our appreciative compliments for you, brother. 🙏🙏🙏
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Kind of you to say so. Thank you so much for going through and commenting!
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Some things are there to happen, sprung up from no where. Three persons from distance of more than 3000 kilometers meet at third place having different interest, capabilities and caliber. one in devotional through his core, one is just a observer and the other one is a learned person with the capability of expressing himself to an august group of international level intelligentsia. And then during discussion something precipitates get caught by the learned person. It is how this blog is appearing here.
I am a great admirer of Rs Ashok Bhatiyaji. when some one write about any subject, the depth of his knowledge, analytical capability, recherche and devotion for writing, spending hour on related subjects results in outcome of blogs such as this. This is just a tip of iceberg we can see here on the surface of sea – what Ashokji has put in efforts to bring such a precise relative philosophy of SHRI BHAGAVAD GEETA and Bollywood songs together.
Selection of core of subjects and precisely relating them to songs of Bollywood is just perfect. Despondency, immortality, Equanimity, Duty etc are as if he is describing Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta in concentrated form, this can be done only by some one who understand it from its core. The song selected are also perfectly match with the subjects.
In Bollywood the film making team must have devoted and brought us such philosophical and meaningful songs affecting audience to get involved and follow them knowingly or unknowingly supporting philosophy and our social culture.
In the beginning of this blog Ashokji has precisely explained content of Shri Bagwad Geeta. his blog will certainly motivate persons who will go through this blog to study Shribhawad Geeta in a simpler form.
Prakash Kanungo
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Dear Prakash ji, thank you for your kind words.
In Sundar Kand, Tulasidas ji says that the bliss of good company is much more than the pleasures of all the heavens put together:
‘तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख धरिय तुला एकअंग,
तूल न ताहि सकल मिली जो सुख लव सत्संग’
The seed of this blog post was planted in one of our meetings where Maheshwari ji, yourself and I happen to meet last year.
It kept simmering within me and I am happy that I could finally be the means of expressing the sentiment shared between us on that occasion – that quite a few movie songs represent the kind of concepts propounded by Shri Krishna in the Bhagavat Gita.
Thank you for going through and commenting. Kind regards. Ashok Bhatia
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