In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna emphasizing the point of performing our duty without expecting the result from it, through a very famous sloka in the second “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita. Bhagawan Krishna also explains clearly that even though we might be performing the actions, the doer is actually somebody else and not completely us. We’ve to understand that if an action is happening, Bhagawan is using us as a divine instrument to perform it through us. For instance, I’m writing this blog on “Indian Dharma” and posting one episode every passing day – It is not that I’m writing on my own with my own intellect and with my own effort. I’m being used by Bhagawan and Bhagawan is the one who is writing this with my hands. Hence, if we see it in this angle, it can be evident that I’m not the sole doer of the actions! It is Bhagawan who is the doer, but I’m merely an instrument. If such is the case, who should be worrying about the result? Should it be me or should it be Bhagawan? Only the ultimate doer should be worried about the result, isn’t it? I’m only an executor and what is my botheration about the result? This is what we’ve to understand from the “Karmanyeva adhikarasthe” shloka.
However, as Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna has a quick question, which all of us have in mind too – “If I’m not the doer at all, why should I even be in the battlefield? If Bhagawan Krishna is the one who is conducting the battle (Doer), why should I be in the battlefield at all? There is no need of the executor if Bhagawan is capable of doing everything, isn’t it? Maybe if I’m there and if I’m doing something that might be against Bhagawan’s will and wish, won’t Bhagawan be dissatisfied with the outcome of my stupid actions? Hence, I’m completely withdrawing from the battle and let Bhagawan perform it by Himself, as He wants to restore “Dharma” in this world!”
Now isn’t this a mere escapism strategy by Arjuna? 🙂 I’m sure many of us would have this thought in our minds as well – For instance, if I’ve to appear for an examination and I’ve to put enormous effort to clear it, we would think thus, “Oh! As per the second “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita, Bhagawan says that we are not the doers of any actions. We are only mere instruments in His divine hands! So, since we are not the doer, why should we prepare for the examination? Why should we go to the examination hall and write the examination for three hours? Bhagawan is all-pervasive and is 100% capable of doing anything and everything, isn’t He? Hence, let Bhagawan prepare and write the examination! Why should we be in this picture at all?” Won’t we have such an attitude in our mind? This is why we see many students circumvent Hanuman’s “Sannadhi” or Saraswati Devi’s “Sannadhi” in many temples for 108 times before the day of the examination! We would have also seen roll numbers being written on the walls of the “Sannadhi” too! 🙂 Why? Are we wanting Hanuman or Goddess Saraswati to come and write our Mathematics examination? The real fact is this – Of course, there is nothing wrong in praying to Bhagawan by circumventing His “Sannadhi”. However, our attitude should be thus, “Oh Bhagawan! I’ve tried my best and put my full effort in preparing for this examination. Now it is up to you to decide the result of it. I shall go on your behalf and give the examination. Through my hands, you’re going to write the examination. Henceforth, it is up to you whether to pass or fail me in this attempt!” If this is the attitude, we are on the right track, and in a way, we are exhibiting complete “Sharanagati” to Bhagawan, along with our efforts! Now, this is exactly what Bhagawan is also going to explain to Arjuna here.
So for today, let us understand this prelude to what Bhagawan is going to give as a very important reply to Arjuna’s query. We shall wait till the next episode to analyze this deeper! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 