In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna getting slightly angry with Arjuna, who only tries to escape at every instance! While Bhagawan explains a bit about the “Gnyaana Yoga”, Arjuna gets tempted immediately to leave off the “Karma Yoga” and switch to the “Gnyaana Yoga” by closing his eyes and sitting in the forest! However, Bhagawan Krishna ups the ante against Arjuna all of a sudden and asks him a tough question – How would he be able to meditate without achieving control over senses? If he goes now and sits in the forest, what if Karna and Duryodhana come and provoke him? If such a situation happens, which is quite inevitable, how will Arjuna react? Will he be able to ignore both of them and prioritize the “Gnyaana Yoga”? Arjuna would definitely not be able to do this! The moment Duryodhana comes and provokes, Arjuna would fume with anger and will try to retaliate, isn’t it? So what will happen to the priority of Bhagawan, with which he would commence the “Gnyaana Yoga”?
Of course, this is not to blame Arjuna, but this is the characteristic of a “Kshatrya” warrior. For great warriors like Arjuna, fighting and protecting the country from “Adharma” should be the topmost priority. Their fierce characteristics will force them to go on the offensive if someone provokes them, and this is their innate nature. Hence, for such people, will “Gnyaana Yoga” be of any effect? Whereas, for great sages, who are involved in penance for years together, focusing on Bhagawan as they sit in a place would be easier. Thus, we’ve to understand one thing clearly again – If someone tells us that Bhagawan Krishna has induced Arjuna into violence and war, here is the answer to them – Bhagawan Krishna induces Arjuna into fighting the war, because it is his “Karma” and nothing else. In fact, the entire “Karma Yoga” is all about seeing Bhagawan through the actions that we perform. All of us have our own duties to fulfil in our lives and we cannot compare one’s duties with another’s. Even professional commitments become part of our duties only. For instance, if I’m a professor in an academic institution, I should perform my duties as a professor with my 100% effort, dedicating it to Bhagawan. However, just because I’m seeing someone meditating for a long time and spending a lot of time in spiritual practice in temples and places of worship, I might get tempted because this person seems to be getting more opportunities to spend time in Bhagawan’s vicinity! However, can I leave my duty as a professor and come and join this person in performing meditation and other spiritual practices? If I do so, immediately the next moment, I would start thinking of how I would have been if I had continued to be a professor in my institution! My mind and senses would be uncontrollable, wouldn’t they? This is where we’ve to realize that the route to attain Bhagawan for different people would be different. This is why Bhagawan is advising us to perform our duty sincerely and meticulously by dedicating them to Him, and if we do this correctly, we would automatically become eligible to go to the next level of “Gnyaana Yoga” as time progresses.
Thus, the fundamental aspect that we’ve to consider here for the “Gnyaana Yoga” is complete control of our senses and mind. For this to happen, performing the “Karma Yoga” is very important, and this is perhaps the only way to do it. While performing our actions dedicatedly to Bhagawan, slowly and steadily our mind will start coming under control. If our mind comes under control, our senses will also slowly cease to run behind worldly pleasures and desires. If we’re reaching this stage, we shall be able to sit to meditate with 100% focus. However, if we simply sit to meditate, just because we do not have interest in performing the “Karma Yoga”, it is only mere escapism and nothing else! This is exactly why Bhagawan Krishna is getting angry at Arjuna. It is very clear here that Arjuna, being a “Kshatrya” warrior, will easily get carried away by his ego when someone provokes him from the opposite camp. Thus, Bhagawan advises Arjuna that the only way for him to walk the spiritual path is by performing his duty (fighting the war)!
So for today, let us understand the in-depth meaning behind Bhagawan Krishna’s words and we shall continue this discussion forward in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 