“Bhagavad Gita is an instruction manual for life,” Amitji began with clarity. “It was traditionally taught to students in ancient India to equip them with the tools needed to live with clarity, purpose, and resilience in a constantly changing world.”
He explained that success, as taught in the Gita, isn’t about fame or fortune but about clarity of purpose, right action, and inner fulfilment. And the journey begins young.
1. Discover Your Swadharma
“One of the key teachings of the Gita is to discover your swadharma—your natural aptitude—by the age of 15 or 16,” he emphasized. “You must assess your tendencies and strengths through honest self-analysis. Is it engineering, medicine, writing, teaching, or music? When you align your education and career with your nature, you gain inner satisfaction—even if there are initial challenges.”
Amitji warned against choosing a career based on peer pressure or societal expectations—what the Gita refers to as paradharma. “Imagine Sachin Tendulkar trying to be a professional chess player—it wouldn’t work. Paradharmic activity brings stress, dissatisfaction, and burnout.”
2. Set a Higher Ideal
The next point he made hit home. “Even within your chosen field, your motive matters. Are you a doctor to earn money, or to alleviate human suffering? The former leads to stress and eventual emptiness, while the latter brings inspiration and peace.”
He explained that selfishness corrodes the personality from within, like termites in wood. A higher ideal, rooted in service or contribution, gives one the stamina to persist and excel even in tough times. “Ironically,” he smiled, “when you stop chasing them, worldly comforts follow naturally.”
3. Focus on the Cause, Not the Effect
“Success is an effect, not a cause,” Amitji said firmly. “It belongs to the future. But the only time you have control over is now. Focus on perfecting the present action. If you do that, success will follow as a natural consequence.”
He added that even when the results don’t turn out as expected, what truly satisfies is the awareness that you did your best. “Joy lies in the right action, not just in the result. Keep working, improving, and don’t depend on praise or criticism to feel good. You are your best judge.”
4. Build a Strong Intellect
He spoke of the importance of strengthening the intellect through systematic study of the Gita. “When the intellect is strong, it governs the mind. When the mind dominates, life becomes chaotic—leading to anxiety, confusion, and poor choices. This is where Vedanta plays a powerful role in mental health and clarity.”
5. You Have a Choice
Finally, Amitji left the youth with a powerful reminder: “You always have a choice—to take charge of your life or let it drift. The Gita empowers you to choose rightly and lead a life of value, contribution, and inner peace.”
He encouraged every youngster to explore the eternal wisdom of Vedanta—not as a religious doctrine, but as a practical guide to life. “It will not only transform your personal journey but create ripples of positivity across society, the nation, and the world.”
For those ready to explore further, Amitji recommends starting with simple daily study and introspection, even five minutes a day. “Begin where you are. That’s always the right place.”
About Amit Kinikar:
A senior disciple of Swami Parthasarathy, Amit Kinikar left a flourishing corporate career after completing his MBA from one of India’s top business schools. Since 1997, he has devoted himself full-time to the study, research, and teaching of Vedanta. As the head of Vedanta Institute of Midwest, USA, he conducts lectures and seminars for youth, professionals, and educators, while also running self-management programs for corporations.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Amitji to discuss a topic that weighs heavily on the hearts of many students and young professionals today—success. What followed was a refreshing and profound conversation rooted in timeless wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita.