If Nothing Lasts, What's the Point? The Gita Reveals the Answer
Times Life March 23, 2025 06:39 AM
Life—an enigma that begins with a first breath and ends in silence. If we enter this world alone and leave alone, what is the purpose of everything in between? Is it love, relationships, success, or merely survival? The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most profound scriptures, speaks of detachment while living in the world—a paradox that forces us to reflect.

But let’s be honest, who doesn’t get caught up in the chase for meaning? The highs and lows, the relationships, the heartbreaks, the dreams we run after—if none of it follows us beyond this life, why does it all feel so real?

Maybe, just maybe, life is not about a grand singular purpose but about how we live each moment. So, what do we do with this borrowed time?
1. The Dance of Karma: Actions That Outlive Us"कर्मण्येवाधिकारास्ते, मा फलेषु कदाचनम्।।"
( Perform your duty without attachment to its outcome. – Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

Ever noticed how we remember some people long after they’re gone? A teacher who changed our way of thinking, a stranger whose kindness left a mark, a parent whose sacrifices shaped our lives. The impact we leave behind doesn’t vanish with us. Maybe, life is about planting seeds of good karma—actions that ripple far beyond our existence.

Imagine a drop of water falling into a vast ocean—it merges, but its ripples continue. Perhaps, our purpose is to create waves that outlast us, in whatever small or big way we can.
2. Love, But Without Chains Love—intoxicating, terrifying, beautiful, heartbreaking. We crave it, but the Gita reminds us: attachment brings suffering.

Sounds harsh, right? But think about it. How often do we hold on to people, expecting them to stay unchanged? A mother raises her child with unconditional love, yet must one day let them go. Friends walk with us for years but then drift apart. Lovers come together, only to sometimes become strangers.

Maybe, love isn’t about possession but about presence. To love without expecting permanence, to cherish without fear of loss—that’s where real love begins.
3. Knowledge: The Only Wealth We Carry"ज्ञानागन्यात्ममोक्षम्" ( Knowledge alone is supreme wealth.)

What if everything you own vanished overnight? Your house, your job, your money. Scary thought, right? But now, what if I told you that no one could take away the things you’ve learned—the wisdom you’ve gained, the skills you’ve mastered, the stories you carry? That’s true wealth.

Material success is great, but it’s transient. The mind, however, is a treasure chest. Whether it’s the wisdom of the scriptures, the lessons from our struggles, or the insights we gain from life itself—this is what stays with us. Maybe, our purpose is to keep learning, evolving, and sharing what we know. 4. Embracing Impermanence: The Art of Letting Go Life is a river, always flowing. Yet, we spend so much time trying to freeze moments, fearing change.

Remember that childhood best friend you thought you’d never lose touch with? The first job that felt like your entire world? The love that once felt eternal? Change is inevitable, but suffering comes when we resist it. The Gita teaches us that detachment doesn’t mean not caring—it means not clinging.

Maybe, the purpose of life is to flow with it, instead of holding on too tightly.

5. Dharma: Living with Purpose, Not Just ExistingKrishna advised Arjuna to fulfill his dharma (duty) without fear. But what does that mean for us?

We often think purpose is some grand, dramatic revelation. But what if it’s in the little things? The doctor saving lives, the artist painting stories, the mother raising a compassionate child. Your dharma isn’t what society expects—it’s what sets your soul on fire. Maybe, life’s purpose is not one single thing but the meaningful choices we make every day.

6. Joy in the Simple ThingsEver noticed how children find happiness in the smallest things—a butterfly, a puddle, a silly joke? Somewhere along the way, we forget this art.

We chase happiness in promotions, social media validation, luxury—but true joy? It’s in a deep conversation, a hug from a loved one, the first sip of morning tea. Ancient wisdom reminds us: Santosha (contentment) is the highest wealth. Maybe, the purpose of life is not to chase happiness but to recognize it in the ordinary.
7. Leaving a Legacy: What Will You Be Remembered For?When our time here is up, what will remain? Not our bank balance, not our Instagram followers, but the impact we had.

Will you be remembered for your kindness? For your laughter? For the way you made others feel? Maybe, life’s purpose is to write a story so beautiful that even when you’re gone, people still tell it.

So, Why Are We Here?Maybe, the purpose of life isn’t a singular goal but an evolving journey—a blend of love, learning, giving, and growing.

As Krishna says in the Gita, "Your right is only to perform your duty, never to its results." Live fully, love freely, seek knowledge, and let go when it's time.

Because in the end, we came alone and will leave alone, but what we create in between—that stays.

And maybe, just maybe, the most meaningful lives are not the ones that find all the answers, but the ones that keep asking the right questions.

What do you think is the purpose of your journey?

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