The Bhagavad Gita: History’s First Podcast (Episodes 4–6)

We left off with Arjuna still tangled in his head and Krishna patiently unpacking what it means to work without clutching. But trust me, things heat up here. These next three chapters? They’re where the Gita really starts sounding like that podcast that gets under your skin and stays with you all week.

Episode 4: “The Ancient Wisdom Chain” (Jñāna Karma Sannyāsa Yoga)

Krishna reveals he didn’t just randomly show up to drop wisdom on Arjuna. He’s been here before. Many times. He tells Arjuna: this isn’t my first appearance. Whenever chaos tips the world out of balance, he takes a form to restore it. It's basically the ultimate “seasoned guest reveal” moment.

Then he flips it and explains how every action — no matter how ordinary — can be treated as a sacred ritual. Eating dinner? Yup. Posting Slack updates at work? Surprisingly, yes. The core is how you approach it — awareness transforms the mundane.

What gets me is this: there’s a verse describing how the enlightened see everything as Brahman (the Universal Self) — the spoon, the act, the fire, the offering. To them, all of life is stitched into one seamless fabric. When I heard this, it hit me: maybe there’s no “ordinary” moment at all. Maybe brushing your teeth or waiting in traffic can actually be part of spiritual practice, if you bring the right spirit into it. That changes your whole day.

Lesson: Every action can be a sacred offering when done with knowledge and detachment. The divine is present in all acts.

Example: Dr. Verghese Kurien and the Amul Movement.Dr. Kurien, often called the "Milkman of India," transformed India's dairy industry through the Amul cooperative movement. His work wasn't just business; it was a mission to empower millions of farmers. He dedicated his life to building a system that benefited the producers directly, seeing his work as a service to the nation rather than just a commercial venture. His autobiography, "I Too Had a Dream," details this dedication to a larger purpose. Source: "I Too Had a Dream" by Verghese Kurien, and Amul's official history.

👉 Kurien's relentless pursuit of a cooperative model, driven by a vision for rural upliftment, embodies the spirit of performing action as a yajña (sacred offering) – where the act itself, the intention, and the beneficiary are all seen as part of a larger, divine purpose.

Episode 5: “Freedom While You’re Still in the Game” (Karma Sannyāsa Yoga)

Here Arjuna throws the biggie: which is better, renouncing the world or doing your duty while staying engaged? Krishna’s answer? Both work if you’ve got the vision... but action-with-detachment is usually the smoother path.

This chapter reads like a guide for “urban monks.” You don’t have to shave your head, disappear to a mountain, or drop out of society — you just need to see clearly that the real you isn’t the one doing everything anyway. Life flows through you, like wind through an open window.

Here’s the part that always lands with me: Krishna describes the wise person who keeps moving through life’s to-do lists but in their heart quietly knows, “I do nothing at all.” Imagine the lightness of living that way. Instead of thinking “I have to hold this whole circus together,” you realize you’re not the ringmaster — you’re the sky the circus is happening in. Huge relief.

Lesson: True renunciation isn't about abandoning action, but abandoning the sense of "I am the doer" and "I am the enjoyer" of the results.

Example: E. Sreedharan, the "Metro Man" of India.E. Sreedharan is renowned for his impeccable record in completing massive infrastructure projects like the Delhi Metro ahead of schedule and within budget. Despite the immense pressure and public scrutiny, he maintained a reputation for integrity and detachment from personal glory. He focused solely on the task, often stepping down from projects once they were successfully completed, without clinging to power or recognition. Source: The Economic Times, "E Sreedharan: The Metro Man of India" and various news archives on Delhi Metro project.

👉 Sreedharan's ability to execute monumental tasks with precision and then gracefully move on, without claiming personal ownership of the success, perfectly illustrates the Gītā's concept of "karma sannyāsa" – renunciation in action, where one acts with full commitment but without egoic attachment to the fruits.

Episode 6: “The Yogi’s Way” (Dhyāna Yoga)

By now Krishna is outlining the “yogi life” — and forget the Instagram version with perfect poses at sunrise. The Gita’s yogi is way more radical. This is someone who can sit with themselves, steady in their mind, balanced whether things go up or down.

And here’s the kicker: Krishna says the yogi who devotes themselves wholeheartedly to the Self — that awareness beyond the mess — is greater than the scholar, the ritualist, or even the hyper-disciplined ascetic. Basically, stillness > showiness. Depth > posture.

But he doesn’t leave it up in the clouds. He gives ultra-practical cues: moderation in eating, sleeping, working. Consistency in practice. A mind tuned in like a musician holding just the right pitch.

The image that stays with me is of the yogi who sees all beings as equal — friends, enemies, strangers. Imagine the inner steadiness it takes to treat the boss who drives you crazy and the barista who nails your coffee order with the same calm respect. That’s yoga. Not easy, but way more life-changing than touching your toes.

So by the end of Chapter 6, we’ve gone from battlefield breakdowns and survival questions to a blueprint for inner stillness in daily life. That’s a glow-up if you ask me.

And maybe that’s the whole point — peace doesn’t come from escaping the noise, but from carrying a quiet center into the noise.

Lesson: Cultivating a steady, balanced mind through consistent practice (meditation, self-control) is key to inner peace and equanimity.

Example: Viswanathan Anand, Chess Grandmaster. Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, is known for his calm demeanor and ability to maintain composure under extreme pressure during high-stakes matches. His consistent performance over decades, in a sport demanding intense mental focus and emotional control, is a testament to a highly disciplined mind. He often speaks about the importance of staying calm and focusing on the board, rather than getting swayed by the opponent or the situation. Source: The Times of India, "Viswanathan Anand: The calm champion" and his interviews on mental fortitude in chess.

👉 Anand's mastery of his own mind, his ability to remain unruffled by victory or defeat, and his sustained focus on the "present moment" of the game, mirrors the Gītā's description of a yogi whose mind is steady like a lamp in a windless place – a perfect example of Dhyāna Yoga in action.

✍️ Note

Much of my own learning of the Gītā has come not just from reading but from listening — which makes this whole “Gita as a podcast” lens even more personal. Two lecture series in particular have deeply shaped my understanding:

• “Gita for Daily Living” by Neil Bhatt – whose clarity and practical examples make the Gita feel like advice you can apply right now, in everyday decisions.

• Swami Paramarthananda’s detailed lecture series – which brings out the depth and subtlety of Advaita Vedānta with precision, yet in such an accessible way.

  
  

Both teachers have been like guides in my earbuds, walking me through these chapters verse by verse. This blog series is my attempt to share that wisdom in my own words — blending what I’ve learnt from them with a conversational take on how the Gita lands for us in 2025.