How to Introduce the Bhagavad Gita to Your Child (By Age Group)

The Bhagavad Gita, or as we commonly know it as the Gita, is a sacred scripture of Hinduism which is a treasure trove of life lessons that if followed with soul and heart can make our life full of peace, mental calm and can lead us to success. It will not be an exaggeration if we call the Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical masterpiece. Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It is a compilation of the teachings of Lord Krishna when he was guiding Prince Arjuna to overcome his mental conflict when Prince Arjuna was debating his decision of fighting against his own cousins Kauravas and the other elders in the battle of Kurukshetra. The Bhagavad Gita is presented as a dialogue between Pandava Prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Krishna, a divine incarnation.

Lord Krishna enlightened Prince Arjuna about Dharma (duty), Karma (action), Yoga (union) and the Self and the Divine, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Dharma (duty) means fulfilling one's responsibilities. Karma (action) means acting selflessly without attachment to results. Yoga (union) is the path to spiritual realization, which includes devotion (bhakti), knowledge (gyana), and disciplined action (karma yoga).The Self and the Divine refers to the understanding that we all are an eternal soul and the soul has an unwavering connection to the Supreme.

Now, having said that it is easily comprehensible that in today’s world of cut throat competition and superficial relations, if we imbibe the Bhagavad Gita preachings in the life of our kids from a very young age, they will grow into better human and will have a better, peaceful and successful life. Mahatma Gandhi, emphasised the same when he called the Bhagavad Gita his "spiritual dictionary." Some key reasons behind the need of  introducing the Gita to kids are:

1. Gita instils moral values and teaches principles like honesty, selflessness and compassion.

2. Gita teaches mental resilience i.e. staying calm and composed in the toughest of conditions.

3. Bhagavad Gita encourages self-reflection which helps us to reflect on our thoughts and actions, leading to self-awareness, knowing one’s strength and weaknesses and increases emotional intelligence.

4. Bhagavad Gita promotes mental well-being, and cultivates a sense of purpose by emphasising on the need of doing our dharma(duty).

This leads to new question: spirituality is a topic that is often confusing and even boring for adults too, then how such young children can be pursued to study the Bhagavad Gita. By teaching the Gita in an age-appropriate and engaging way, we can empower children and provide them with the necessary tools which can help them to navigate life's complexities with confidence and integrity.  The approach for teaching Bhagavad Gita to kids should be tailored as per the needs of an age group. It enhances the impact of the learnings in the kid’s life and helps them to not only read but also follow the principles in real life. We can group children in three preferable age groups i.e. Ages 3–6, Ages 7–12 and Ages 13-18. The adults i.e. individuals aged 18 or above can also benefit from the Gita for sure, but the approach of teaching will be different for adults again.

Ages 3–6: Sparking their curiosity

Children of this age group are naturally curious and imaginative. For them, the essence of the Bhagavad Gita can be introduced through storytelling and interactive activities. Sharing simple, engaging stories from Mahabharata can create a context and make them interested in Gita. For such young children, visual aids play a key role and hold their attention for longer period. Using colourful picture books or animated videos can be beneficial. Visuals help young minds connect with the characters and their journeys. We can also improve the retention of the learning by incorporating simple yet interesting and interactive activities. Such as the kids can be asked to draw a painting of their favourite story etc. At this stage, the focus is on sparking curiosity and creating a positive association with the Gita's teachings.

Ages 7–12: working on moral values

With growing age, children become a bit mature and now they are able to understand the concept of morality and ethical actions etc. It makes this the perfect time to introduce the core teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in a relatable way. Yet, the students are still small so we cannot teach them very complex terms and all. We should explain key concepts like karma (action) and dharma (duty) using everyday examples. We can give the example that doing homework diligently aligns with their duties. By connecting the Gita's teachings to their daily lives, children can begin to see its relevance and wisdom. Complex ideas can also be explained in a simpler and understandable way by giving analogies from the everyday life. For example, the mind can be compared to a chariot and the senses can be compared to horses, as described in the Gita, to illustrate the importance of self-control. Open discussions among the peer group should be encouraged. Simple questions can be put forth and kids can be encouraged to discuss them. 

This helps them to get a better understanding of the concept, helps them to understand other’s viewpoints and respect that, and also serves as a personality development tool. Simple questions like "What would you do if you were in Arjuna's place?" foster critical thinking and empathy. Organising activities like quizzes on the Mahabharata or role-playing Krishna and Arjuna's dialogue makes learning interactive and enjoyable.

Ages 13–18: Exploring Philosophy 

Kids of this age group are teenagers which are now ready to dig deeper into the philosophical aspects of the Bhagavad Gita. Teenagers go through a lot of turbulence in their mental, and physical state. Their bodies experience drastic changes. They now want to act like a big, responsible individual but still lack the experience of life. This is the time to encourage independent thinking and application of teachings of Bhagavad Gita. Introducing concepts like selflessness, mindfulness, and detachment and discussing how these ideas can help them manage stress, make decisions, and build resilience can be effective way of teaching. Show them the practical applications of these teachings such as exam stress or peer pressure can be coped well by focusing on effort rather than results (nishkama karma) and how it can reduce anxiety. The kids of this age group should be encouraged to read simplified versions of the Bhagavad Gita. They can be encouraged for journaling the instances where they feel that Gita's teachings helped them in a life situation. It can deepen their understanding and personal connection to the text.

So, as it is an established fact that introducing the Bhagavad Gita to your child is not just about imparting knowledge; but a step that will lead to a lifelong relationship with wisdom and spirituality. And to make this more effective and more productive the approach for introduction of Gita teaching should be tailored to suit the mental level and needs of the kid as per their age. Sometimes, we as parents lack the resources or the time or experience needed to make this journey of learning as impactful as we want it to be, and here Bambinos comes as the saviour. Enroll your child in our engaging Bhagavad Gita program for ages 4-15! With 1:1 and small group options, kids can explore the teachings of the Gita in an interactive and meaningful way. Join now at Bambinos.live!

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