Greetings on Mokshada Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti. Mokshada Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi tithi (11th day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the month of Margashirsha. Legends say that it was on this day, Shrimad Bhagwat Gita was narrated to Arjun by Lord Shri Krishna.  In every moment of life, we need to make a decision. Our future depends upon the decisions that we take in the present. Maybe that’s the main reason why people make decisions while thinking about their happy life. Everybody tries to make their lives simple…hoping for a better tomorrow. But who has seen the future? Nobody knows about it! So, most of the decisions that we make are purely based on imaginations. Right?

If the answer is ‘Yes’, then how to make a decision? How to take a tough decision in tough situations? How to decide between the good and better? How to decide between the bad and worse? How to decide when things are equally good or equally bad? Let us try to find out the answers from Shrimad Bhagwat Gita.

Before we proceed, let me ask you a simple question. What are the favourable and unfavourable things in your life? Most of you would answer that the things that make you happy are favourable and the things that don’t make you happy are unfavourable. Is it so? Let’s find out. If you ask an alcoholic person about their addiction, they will say that they are doing it for their happiness. But are they really happy? If they are then, why are they drinking regularly? This kind of happiness is temporary. Favourable things are those things that help you to reach your goal.

Decision Making Tips from Shrimad Bhagwat Gita

1. Think with a calm mind

sri-bhagavan uvaca
asamsayam maha-baho
mano durnigraham calam
abhyasena tu kaunteya
vairagyena ca grhyate

– Bhagwat Gita (6.35)

This is the first step to get a clear picture of a situation. So, the first step is that you need to control your mind. So, the now the question is how do we control our mind? Arjun had asked the same question to Lord in sloka 3.36. In sloka 3.37, the Lord answers his question by saying that lust is the root cause of it. Lust? Well, while reading the Bhagavad Gita, you need to think horizontally. Here, lust means anything that keeps you distracted from your goal or performing your duties. When lust is unsatisfied, it turns into wrath; wrath is transformed into illusion and this is a never-ending process.

Where does lust reside? This lust resides in the senses, mind, and intelligence; which veils the knowledge that he has acquired. So, how to get rid of it? In sloka 3.41, the Lord says that we can curb this senses by regulating our senses.

2. Do not think about the results

karmany evadhikaras te
ma phalesu kadacana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango ‘stv akarmani

– Bhagwat Gita (2.47)

It means that we have the right to perform our duties, not to enjoy the fruits. We shouldn’t get motivated by the results, and not get attached to inaction. This sloka has become the mantra of my life.

Karma Yoga means yoga of action. It tells us that we shouldn’t focus on the fruits while doing our work. We should focus on improving the quality of our work, We should never allow ourselves to get motivated by the outcomes as it creates an invisible boundary.  In our life, we take a lot of decisions by thinking about its impact. But when you realise that you don’t have any control over the result, then you stop focusing on gains and this helps you to take focussed.

3. Treat everyone equally

suhrn-mitrary-udasina-
madhyastha-dvesya-bandhusu
sadhusv api ca papesu
sama-buddhir visisyate

– Bhagwat Gita (6.09)

In the above, the Lord talks about treating one’s friends and foes with an equal mind. Your decision should be unbiased and shouldn’t get influenced by your relations.

4. Don’t be afraid of change

aprakaso ‘pravrttis ca
pramado moha eva ca
tamasy etani jayante
vivrddhe kuru-nandana

– Bhagwat Gita (14.13)

In the above sloka, Lord Krishna says that when inertia is predominant, illusion, inactivity, darkness and ignorance arises. So, one should step out of their comfort zone and add ‘change’ to their lives to prevent inertia. So, when you are feeling lethargic, just sit-up and do something new. Shrimad Bhagwat Gita helps Arjun to come out of his ‘comfort zone’ and fight the greatest battle of all times. Change is the law of nature. So, if your decision changes something – do not be afraid of it.

5. Have faith

asraddhaya hutam dattam
tapas taptam krtam ca yat
asad ity ucyate partha
na ca tat pretya no iha

– Bhagwat Gita (17.28)

In this sloka, the Lord says that if anything is done without the transcendental objective-whether it be a sacrifice, charity or penance-is useless. So, before you take any decision, ask yourself about it. If you strongly believe in it, then the decision is right for you.

6. Set your goals higher

yad yad acarati sresthas
tat tad evetaro janah
sa yat pramanam kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

– Bhagwat Gita (3.21)

In this sloka, Lord says that whenever a great man takes an action, common follow in his footsteps. People accept them as their leaders. The set new standards of excellence, compete with themselves and continue learning in every sphere of their life.  They meet with success and failures but their growth never stops.

If you have any problem in taking a decision, then don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with the right person because a proper counselling can help to get rid of your doubts. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the greatest guide of mankind.

Hare Krishna!