Geeta Jayanti, being celebrated today on 11th December, is also known as Mokshada Ekadashi or Matsya Dwadashi. From mythological and spiritual perspective, this day marks the moment when the Bhagavad Gita dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna began on the Kurukshetra battlefield.
The life-changing impact that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita have had on people from innumerable walks of life can never be quantified. It is also no surprise to know that the sacred word, by its influence, certainly transcends borders and spreads its teachings far and wide. So do you know that these international names have also been influenced by the influence of Bhagavad Gita?
Hugh Jackman
For Hugh Jackman, the Bhagavad Gita holds immense meaning in the perspective of representing the last moments of a person’s life. In a dated video, a young Hugh can be seen talking about personally not being able to face the moment or period of time when he felt death upon him, but unfortunately, he was in one of these. For the time being the research came dangerously close to contradiction. His films, which involved him watching brain surgery. Knowing that the woman at the table was about to die, he was led down an imaginary path that included his own possible death. The short clip shows Hugh explaining how the Bhagavad Gita is similar in making peace with such intrusive phases of one’s life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dPxILWCKPc
shawn mendes
Personal difficulties, particularly in his love life, drew singer Shawn Mendes toward spirituality and religion. As part of this effort he had the opportunity to delve deeper into the Bhakti movement of Hinduism. In fact, in 2021, Shawn, through his own admission, spent every Thursday meditating, followed by reading and discussing the Bhagavad Gita with Jay Shetty, which apparently stabilized him well.
Will Smith
Will Smith is an actor who is committed to constantly improving himself. Therefore it is not surprising that they too found solace in the Bhagavad Gita. Actually, during his conversation with Jai Shetty Intentionally Podcast, the actor discussed in depth how deeply he connects with Arjun and his trajectory.
Not only this, Will has also been very vocal about the impact of Sadhguru on his life, which is another testament to his self-help journey.
Special Mention: Christopher Nolan and Vin Diesel
Sometimes it’s not about the individual but the approach and that’s why director Christopher Nolan and actor Vin Diesel are also part of this list. While the reference to the former is definitely an Academy Award favorite oppenheimer (2023), for the latter, it is relatively less known billy lynn’s long halftime walk (2016).
At the time of release and eventual revival, clips of Vin quoting the Bhagavad Gita – “Whatever task you have to do, always do it with dispassion. And entrust all tasks to me”, took the internet by storm both times. .
However, the more overt reference to the sacred text was Nolan’s film, which traces the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, who listed the Gita as one of his most creative influences. The reference to the effect was certainly moot given Oppenheimer’s seminal role in the World War II atomic bombings, but Nolan portrayed the same effect in the film, particularly through the line, ‘Now I die. ‘I have become the destroyer of the world’ is ultimate cinematic genius.
We wish you a blessed and enlightening Geeta Jayanti.
