“When Krishna becomes your life coach: Bhagavad Gita lesson from 15-Year-Old Canadian Desi Kid”

Okay, written by my daughter and her perspective. Here she starts by saying this: I’m 15. I live in Canada. And most of the time, I’m just trying to survive high school, pass science, and maybe get my parents to let me game past 10 pm. But growing up in a desi house, there’s always one book that everyone talks about like it’s the manual for life—The Bhagavad Gita.

I used to think it was just another old religious thing that adults read and quote when they want you to do the right thing. Like, “Do your duty!” or “Don’t worry about the results!” I thought they were just fancy lines to make chores sound spiritual. But one day, I got curious. Like… what is this book really about? Why does every Indian parent swear by it? And what does it have to do with my life, when I’m more worried about group chats, exams, and whether I’ll ever figure out what I’m good at?

So I did a thing. I actually read a version of the Gita. Then I watched a bunch of videos. And then something wild happened—it actually started to make sense. Like, deep sense. Like, life sense.

Here’s what I got from it.

The Bhagavad Gita takes place during a war. Literally. Two families—the Pandavas and the Kauravas—are about to go at it. Arjuna, the hero, is this prince-warrior dude who’s supposed to lead his side into battle. But right before the war starts, he sees who he’s up against—his cousins, his old teachers, uncles he grew up with. And he just… breaks. He drops his weapons and says, “I can’t do this.”

That’s when Krishna—his charioteer, who also just happens to be God in disguise—is like, “Bro. Sit down. Let’s talk.” And what follows is this deep, emotional, and philosophical convo between Arjuna and Krishna. Not gonna lie, it’s basically the best therapy session ever.

Krishna starts dropping truth bombs about life, death, purpose, and what it actually means to live with intention. He tells Arjuna that the soul is eternal. That this body, this life, it’s all temporary—like clothes you eventually grow out of. He says we all have a role to play in this world, and Arjuna’s role—his dharma—is to be a warrior. Not because war is fun. But because standing up for truth and justice is literally what he was born to do.

Krishna says you gotta act. You can’t run from life just because it’s hard. You can’t freeze up when things get messy. And you definitely shouldn’t quit just because the outcome is scary or uncertain. He basically says, “Do what you’re meant to do. But don’t get obsessed with the results.” That’s where the whole “do your karma, don’t expect the fruit” thing comes from. It’s not about being chill or lazy. It’s about showing up, giving your best, and not letting your whole identity get tied up in success or failure.

And honestly? That hit. Like, so much of life right now feels like pressure. Pressure to get good grades, to be cool, to make your family proud. But Krishna’s like, “Yo, just focus on the action. Be sincere. The rest isn’t up to you.”

He also talks about how you don’t have to live like a monk to be spiritual. You don’t have to give up everything or move to a mountain. You just have to stay balanced. Do your work. Be kind. Keep your ego in check. And stay connected—to the bigger picture, to something divine, to your true self.

At one point, Krishna goes full cosmic and shows Arjuna his universal form. Like, all the galaxies, time, creation, and destruction—inside him. It’s wild. And Arjuna finally gets it. He’s like, “Okay. I trust you. Let’s go.”

That moment made me think about all the times I’ve felt stuck. Like when I don’t know if I’m making the right choices. Or when I feel like I’m not enough. The Gita says it’s okay to feel that way. But don’t let it stop you. You’re here for a reason. Your job is to find your path, walk it, and help others along the way.

So yeah, I may not fully get all the Sanskrit or the verses yet, but I get the heart of it. The Bhagavad Gita is about being brave. About doing what’s right, even when it’s hard. About letting go of control and trusting that your part in this big story matters.

And in case you’re wondering, yes—I did write a poem. Because that’s what the Gita inspires. Not just rules, but art. Emotion. Purpose.

When life’s a war and fear sets in,
And quitting feels like the easiest win—
Pause and breathe, just hold that line,
You’re made of stars, you’re soul, you shine.

Not every win will bring you peace,
And not all loss means you’re weak.
The real game’s played inside your chest,
With courage, calm, and doing your best.

Don’t chase the likes or perfect score,
Your dharma’s worth so much more.
Pick up your bow when life gets tough,
Be kind, be real, and that’s enough.

The battle’s big—but so are you.
Be Arjuna. And see it through.

So yeah, maybe I’m just a high school kid in a hoodie, trying to keep up with classes and late-night thoughts. But thanks to the Gita, I know that I’m not alone. That even thousands of years ago, someone was panicking before a battle. And someone else showed up to say, “You’ve got this.”

And now, I believe I do.