Acharya Prashant addresses the common misconception that one must follow specific rituals, such as bathing or washing hands, before reading the Bhagavad Gita. He explains that the Gita is meant to wash away the contents of the mind, so there is no need to carry any preconceived notions or 'rubbish' into the study. He emphasizes that the Gita itself defines what cleanliness and purity truly mean. One should not attempt to be 'pure' before approaching the scripture, as it is the scripture that provides the very definition of purity. He shares personal anecdotes from his youth, describing how he would read the Gita while eating or even sleeping, driven by love rather than formal regulations. He further explains that one should approach the Gita exactly as they are, comparing the relationship to that of a naked child going to its mother. The mother, or the Gita, will teach the individual how to live and conduct themselves. He rejects the idea of 'auspicious' or 'inauspicious' times for reading, stating that the only inauspicious time is when one is not engaging with the scripture. He encourages a relationship based on love and honest inquiry rather than blind obedience to authority or rituals. Ultimately, he suggests that the Gita is a source of wisdom that should be accessed without the barriers of formal rules, as the book itself will guide the seeker on how to approach it.
