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Bhagavad Gita and Some Bollywood Songs

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

Jab tak hai jaan…

Movie: Sholay (1975)

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

Music: R. D. Burman

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

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:

1. The Krishna-Arjuna illustration is reproduced with permission from the illustrator, Arati Shedde, and Heartfulness Magazine – www.heartfulnessmagazine.com.)
2. 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.
3. Inputs from Mr. H. C. Verma are gratefully acknowledged.
4. Translation of Gita verse 18.56 courtesy Mr. Ashok Narain.

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Scratch and Sniff unravel Democracy: Guest Post by Suresh Subrahmanyan

                      

Two elderly gentlemen were taking their early morning stroll at our nearby park. Their topic of conversation, unsurprisingly, was the final results of our General Elections. For want of a better option let us call them Scratch and Sniff.

‘I say Sniff, I am trying to get my head around the election results. What exactly happened? Which side won, by which I also mean which side lost?’

‘Good question, Scratch. From what I have been able to gather from the forest of numbers being thrown at us by the Election Commission, the ruling party, NDA, has earned the right to form the government. Just about.’

‘Just about? But the INDI Alliance claims they are the moral victors, whatever that means, and that the PM should put in his papers. Is it not a straightforward question of who won the maximum number of seats? I am perplexed in the extreme, Sniff.’

‘Like Othello.’

‘Who?’

‘Never mind, Scratch. Forget about Othello. The point I was making was that both sides are claiming victory which, to my knowledge, is a first of its kind in our political history.’

‘Look Sniff, I did not find the time to read the papers this morning and I do not watch television. Am I to understand that there was a tie and that both the sides bagged exactly the same number of seats? Amazing.’

‘You have such a sweet, simple mind, Scratch. No, no. No tie involved. Let me try and lay it out for you in terms even a 10-year-old will follow. The NDA won but the BJP did not. Clear so far?’

‘Then how come Mr. Modi talks about taking the oath of office for a record third term, if the BJP did not win.’

‘Dear oh dear, this is going to take all day. Look Scratch, pin your ears back and listen carefully. The BJP needed 272 seats for a simple majority to form the government on their own. They only got 240 seats. So, they had to depend on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal United (JDU), with whom they had formed a pre-poll alliance, to bail them out and get them over the line. That is the long and short of it.’

‘Wow Sniff, you seem to know so much. In other words, it was only a Pyrrhic victory for the BJP. Cold comfort.’

‘There you go again, why don’t you speak in plain English?’

‘Sorry Sniff. One last question. How come the INDI Alliance are shouting from the rooftops that they will form the government if they don’t have the numbers?’

‘Ah, now we enter the dark world of skullduggery. A bit of body snatching, some behind-the-scenes chicanery, plenty of blandishments on offer – anything can happen. Both sides are at it.’

‘I cannot figure out anything you are saying, Sniff. Are you telling me that neither side won the elections? I can feel a headache coming on. For the last time, tell me who won the 2024 General Elections?’

‘Democracy.’  

Notes:             

1. Illustration courtesy Suvarna Sanyal.
2. A version of this article has already appeared recently in The Deccan Herald.  
3. Permission to blog this piece here is gratefully acknowledged.              

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Hindi film characters with books: Guest Post by Dustedoff

https://madhulikaliddle.com/2024/04/23/hindi-film-characters-with-books-part-2/#more-27051?page_id=27051

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