someone to look up to

Verse 3.20: Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.

Role models. We all need them. Their stories of struggle, perseverance and success often serve as bursts of inspiration for us when we experience times of frustration and apathy in our own lives.

Personally, I find that there is a real lack of true role models for the current generation that is growing up. Being exposed to instant forms of communication and media, younger persons can easily equate role models as those persons who fill up the airwaves and Twitter feeds. Constantly bombarded by "perfect" bodies, fairy tale relationships, fame, money, and the accumulation of material possessions, it can be easy for one to think that the attainment of such goals is what life is all about.

The beauty of yoga is that while it addresses the necessities of the body, its focus is on feeding the spirit. Yoga teaches us that we need a foundation of spiritual values upon which we can grow to become empowered spiritual personalities. After all, we are spiritual beings and no amount of material possessions will ever satisfy us. Equally important to realize is the fact that these values aren't dependent on external validation and can't be measured by wealth or fame. They develop as a result of realizing that challenges aren't obstacles, but opportunities for internal, spiritual growth.

One individual who embodied these qualities is mentioned in today's verse - King Janaka. A great ruler who was not only a devoted husband and father, he was also a true well-wisher for all his subjects. Though the leader of his kingdom, he never sought honour or recognition. Instead, he always considered everything he had to be gifts given to him by the Divine. Following in his footsteps, his people also adopted this lifestyle of expressing gratitude to the Supreme. Due to this abundant spirit of gratitude and care, it is recorded that all his people lived a life of utter contentment and fulfillment.

Sometimes when we hear of such persons, we may think "Yah, that was xyz number of years ago, there's no one like that anymore." Not true! There are still such persons who live amongst us today. Their goal is to live a life of gratitude and connection with the Supreme and to help anyone who is sincerely interested.

So take heart, there are incredible role models amongst us. It might just takes us a little time to recognize them.

thank you!

Verse 2.57: In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.

Role models are so important to have. They give us a sense of hope, inspiration and comfort. My role models are the incredible bhakti mentors that I am blessed to have in my life who are genuinely "unaffected by whatever good or evil they encounter."

They showed me how the practice of yoga isn't about artificially repressing your feelings or trying to ignore your emotions. That's what I used to think not being effected by good or bad meant. It's about operating on a level of gratitude and love.

Why do I mention this? Because those mentors and the Gita have given me the encouragement, strength and inspiration to delve deeper in my own journey of self-discovery. Also, because today marks the 100th post I've written on the Gita. As someone who has started many things and have stopped due to lack of time, lack of inspiration and numerous other excuses, this is a huge! That's why it's so important for me to honour and give thanks to those persons who have made it possible.

Any writing or reflections that have been shared (and will continue to be shared) on this blog is a direct result of blessings and guidance. So I would like to thank you, my dear readers for coming along this journey with me so far. I'm so excited to continue this journey with you! I would also like to thank my parents, well-wishers, spiritual mentors and friends for all their support and loving feedback.

And most of all, I would like to thank Krsna. Thank you for giving us the Gita so that we can truly understand who we really are and giving us the process by which we can realize it; a process that is so practical, relevant, timeless and beautiful.