The present is power

To be in the moment is to live life, focused on the present. In the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn counsels Arjun on the importance of living in the present moment. As Arjun stands on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, paralysed by doubt, fear and sorrow, Krishn encourages him to rise above his emotional turmoil by focusing not on what has been or what might be, but on what is. Krishn teaches that the past is gone, unchangeable and irretrievable, and the future is merely the consequence of our actions in the present. Hence, it is only the present that truly matters.

Krishn explains that dwelling on the past weakens the spirit. Memories of failure or loss can paralyse us with guilt or nostalgia, while longing for future can fill us with anxiety or unrealistic expectations. Neither state allows for clarity, strength or decisive action.

This principle is not about indifference or passivity, but about focused engagement. Krishn calls for balance between action and detachment, where one works with full effort and sincerity, yet remains unshaken by success or failure. This inner equanimity is the hallmark of a sthithaprajna - a person of steady wisdom.


In essence, Krishn's message is timeless: the present moment is the only reality we truly possess. By living fully in the now, with awareness and purpose, we not only fulfil our duties but also find peace, clarity and spiritual freedom. The past is a lesson, future a consequence - but the present is our power.