In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna rendering an important piece of advice pertaining to performing his duty on the big stage. This advice is equally applicable to all of us as well – If we’ve to do something which is under our control and purview, we’ve to give our 100% effort to it, and should not bother too much about the outcome. However, if there are things that aren’t under our control, we should not bother too much about it and give importance. Botheration for unwanted things is not going to help, especially if things are not in our control and if the situation is not going to favour us in any way. Moving on further thus, Bhagawan Krishna now explains how significant is the “Atman” in a living being. Bhagawan says thus,
“Aacharyavath paschati kashitenam aacharyavath vadati tataiva chaanyaha!
Aacharyavath chaniya manyath shrunoti shrutvaapyenam veda na chaiva kaschith!!”
Now Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Let me explain to you the significance of a “Mukta-Jeevatma”. This person can see through things even without having eyes! He can listen through to things even if his ears are deaf! He can walk through to some place even if he has no feet! He can take something even if his hands fail him! This is the strength of the “Atman” in every living being. Thus, please give more importance to this powerful “Atman” and forget the “Deham”. In this upcoming war, you are only going to target and destroy the “Deham” of these people, and not the “Atman”. Hence, you’ve to understand this “Deha-Atma-Vivekam” (Knowledge of the “Deham” and the “Atman”)!”
This is the first level of input that Bhagawan is giving to Arjuna, and of course to all of us through this. The first stage of understanding is the “Deha-Atma-Vivekam”. Now from the thirty-first sloka of the second “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan Krishna explains the duty of a “Kshatrya” clearly. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh Arjuna! You’re asking me what is good for you, aren’t you? Now let me tell you one thing very clearly – You are a Kshatrya warrior! Your “Dharma” is to fight the war. This is good for you and this is the “Dharma” that is expected out of you! Moreover, this is not an ordinary war that you are going to fight. This is a war clearly between “Dharma” and “Adharma”. Hence, your contribution towards the victory of “Dharma” is extremely essential and only with this, you will be able to fulfil your duty and the purpose of your birth in this world!”
Bhagawan Krishna says thus,
“Svadharmapabi cha abekshya na vikampitum arhasi!
Dharmaarthi yuddhaah chreyaha annyakshatryasa vidhyate!!”
So Bhagawan clearly sends out a message that Arjuna has to fight the war and there’s no option for him to get away from it! Upon the very look of this shloka, many people start debating thus, “Oh wow! By giving out such messages that one has to go for the kill, Bhagawan Krishna is fuelling unrest amidst the family! Bhagawan Krishna’s only motto is to kill everyone! He has openly encouraged violence to happen! But isn’t Sanaatana Dharma talking about peace and harmony in many places? Why is there a contradiction?” So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall look at the answers for these questions in the next episode to come! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 