I’m writing this on the way back home, somewhere between a packed schedule and a quiet evening ahead. It is Father’s Day, one of those moments that invites both celebration and reflection.
This year, I found myself turning inward. I found myself turning to the Bhagavad Gita, a guidebook for anyone trying to live a meaningful life. Yes, that includes being a father. Here are a few lessons I have been reflecting on lessons from the Gita that speak directly to the silent, sacred work of fatherhood:
1. Doing without expecting (Karma Yoga)
The Gita reminds us that we are not here to control outcomes, only to do our part with sincerity. A father who wakes early, works hard, listens patiently, and stays present often does so without fanfare or guarantee. The seeds you plant now may take years to bloom.
2. Balance in highs and lows
Parenting has its share of victories and heartbreaks. Your child gets into the school of their dreams or does not. They listen to your advice or ignore it. The Gita calls for balance, what it calls samatvam, in all things. Celebrate the wins, but do not be defined by them. Stay steady when things fall apart. Your calm in the chaos is what your children will remember.
3. Lead quietly by example
Your kids are always watching. More than your lectures, they absorb your actions, how you treat your spouse, how you handle stress, how you respond to unfairness. The Gita teaches that a true leader leads by living the example, not giving the speech.
4. Inner strength is the real superpower
In a world that glorifies strength, the Gita redefines it as inner steadiness. The ideal person is not the loudest or the most powerful but the one who stays grounded through life’s fluctuations. Your quiet strength, your emotional steadiness, your ability to pause before reacting and these are the traits that build safe homes and confident children.
5. Letting go with trust
As fathers, we protect and guide. However, the day always comes when we must step back and let our children rise or fall on their own strength. The Gita honors that individual journey and reminds us not to overstep. Trust your children’s path. Support without clinging. Love without controlling.
This Father’s Day, may the teachings of the Gita remind you that your daily acts, however ordinary they seem are deeply spiritual. You are a teacher, a protector, a role model, and above all, a soul doing your dharma with grace.