Bhagwad Gita 'perfect textbook' for leaders: US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard

The Bhagwad Gita is the "perfect textbook" for those who are striving to be "servant leaders" and its message is relevant for all days and ages, American Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said in New Delhi on Saturday.

"The teachings by Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Gita are life and soul for me. They are the absolute foundation and motivation for the actions and the work and everything that I am trying to do with my life," she said during a discussion on 'The Future of Indo-US Relationships' organised by the India Foundation. Noting that the level of "optimism" for the future of Indo -US ties is very high at the present juncture and there were many areas of collaboration, Gabbard -- a member of the US House of Representatives -- said that these ventures can be successful by upholding and living the ideals of Lord Krishna as taught in the Gita.

"We have many areas of opportunity and many areas that we can collaborate. The only way we can be successful in these ventures and in every other part of our lives is by doing our very best to uphold and live by these ideals like Krishna teaches us in Gita... of taking actions for service of others. "It's not just the political leaders who are charged with this responsibility but each of us with our own lives," she said. Gabbard, who took her oath as a US Congresswoman on the Bhagwad Gita, said that the text would remain relevant regardless of time and age.

"That's what I found through my own personal experience -- that the Gita is the perfect text for people who are striving to be servant leaders. This textbook is applicable to everyone. "(It) is as relevant today as it has always been and as it always will be... regardless of your age, where you come from, what language you speak, what gender..." she said. Noting her personal experience practising 'Karm and Bhakti Yoga', Gabbard said she had gradually understood her "true identity" through it.

"I have gradually been able to understand my true identity ... Who I really am, my spiritual essence, my purpose in life..." she said. Talking about her days in Iraq, where she had volunteered with the US military, Gabbard said that during that time, she would handle the stress of duty by turning to the Gita.

The Gita has been in news of late in the country after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj sparked a row last month when she pushed for the declaration of the text as a national scripture. Opposition parties had slammed the government over the issue while questioning how one holy book could be deemed as being "holier" than others in a multi-faith country.