The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna highlighting a very important point to Arjuna pertaining to how doing our duty meticulously with “Sattva Guna”, will not account for a sin. For instance, we also see our own army men standing at our territorial borders most of the time by sacrificing their families, kith and kin. They have enormous passion within them to fight for our country and secure our borders from enemy infiltration. This passion to fight for our country at all times, braving the harsh climatic conditions and the constant threat to their lives becomes their “Dharma”. By killing terrorists and others from the enemy camps, will it account to a sin? Of course, killing a living being accounts to one of the greatest sins, but in this situation, it is warranted that the enemies are destroyed so that our country is protected. Hence, this act of killing terrorists and those from the enemy camps will not account to a sin for our brave and honourable army jawans. Similarly for Arjuna too, it is his duty to protect his country from the wrath of Duryodhana and Co. who are epitomes of “Adharma”. This is something that we’ve to ponder about as well. 

Hence, Bhagawan Krishna requests Arjuna to pay heed to His words and motivates him to get up and start fighting. Bhagawan Krishna assures Arjuna that by fighting the war and killing Bhishmachaarya and the others, no sin will come upon him at any point in time. Moreover, Bhagawan Krishna also explains how the Vedas and other Shaastras are common for everyone in this world and their sole purpose is to enable the seeker to achieve the highest “Moksha”. However, many people misinterpret this in today’s scenario. For instance, there is something called “Sena-Yaaga” which is performed to get rid of enemies completely. We have the “Putra-Kameshti” Yaaga, which is performed to obtain children and thereby enabling the growth of the next generation. Even King Dasharata performed this “Putra-Kameshti Yaaga” to obtain Bhagawan Rama as his son and successor for Ayodhya. Thus, such kinds of “Ishti Yaagas” are normally performed with any specific worldly purpose in mind. However, we’ve to understand one thing clearly here – All these “Yaagas” are prescribed in the Vedas only. But we might ask a question here – If these “Yaagas” and other spiritual practices mentioned in the Vedas are aimed at fulfilling worldly purposes, how do we say that the Vedas are aimed at making the seeker attain “Moksha”? It should be devoid of all the worldly aspects, isn’t it? 

Now this is where we’ve to understand something important – The Vedas will have a mixture of everything and is a huge ocean. Just like how the oceans have a huge marine ecosystem under it, the Vedas also have a huge ecosystem inside it. In fact, the Vedas address all types of people, right from “Aastikas” (Ardent devotees of Bhagawan) and the “Naastikas” (The ones who propagate that God is never present!) For instance, if a “Naastika” has enormous enemies troubling him all the time, he might not be able to handle that pressure beyond a point and hence, chances are high that he would want to search for some remedial measures to get rid of his enemies somehow. Till the previous evening, he would have been talking in public that he will stand against “Sanatana Dharma” and he would go to any extreme to eradicate it! However, the next morning when the enemy comes and catches his throat, he would start shaking with fear and will directly come to an astrologer seeking a solution! The astrologer will guide him to perform a “Sena Yaaga” and he would also be ready to do it. Thus, as per the instruction, this “Naastika” would perform the “Sena Yaaga”, and to his utter surprise, the enemy would get destroyed! Now, won’t this “Naastika” slowly start developing faith in our “Sanaatana Dharma”? Hence, we should see the purpose that is being served by the Vedas here – If a “Naastika” also has to be inculcated with the basic faith and thereby grow on from there, this is a fundamental requirement, isn’t it? Maybe the “Naastika” can take this as an opportunity to build on his “Bhakti-Maarga” from here on, but there should be a start somewhere, isn’t it? This is also the main purpose of the Vedas. 

Thus, we can see clearly here that the Vedas might be the same in terms of text, but the applicability of the text will be different to different kinds of people. Of course, for an “Aastika”, the Vedas will only serve the purpose of attaining “Moksha”. For instance, will someone like a Bhagawan Ramanujachaarya or a Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi use the Vedas to destroy enemies or to attain enormous wealth? Not at all! The purpose for these people is to attain realization, isn’t it? However, for normal people like us, who might have a family life, career ambitions, etc., the purpose is slightly different. But for “Naastikas” who are against our “Sanaatana Dharma”, the Vedas serve as a tool to bring about the first-level realization! 

So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and through this, Bhagawan Krishna is laying down the purpose for Arjuna! The message is very clear here – For Arjuna, it is to perform his duty as instructed by the Vedas and thereby attain “Moksha”! We shall continue this discussion further in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna asserting once more as to how do we balance success and failure to lead a peaceful life. From this moment onwards, Bhagawan Krishna is going to introduce us to the all-important “Karma Yoga”, as He has clearly set the tone for the detailed accord. When He says that we need to balance between success and failure in whatever we do, the focus is clearly on our actions (“Karma”) and not on the result of it. So let us delve into what Bhagawan Krishna has to say to Arjuna. Bhagawan Krishna says thus, 

“Nehaa vikrama naashosti pratyavaayo na vidyate!

Svalpamapyasya dharmasya aayate mahato bhayaath!!”

Now, as Bhagawan Krishna introduces the “Karma Yoga” to Arjuna, He lists down a few prerequisites thus, “Oh Arjuna! In order to understand the “Karma Yoga” properly, you need to know a few important things – One is the “Deha-Atma-Vivekam”. You need to clearly understand here that the Atman is something which is all-pervasive and permanent in nature. I’ve explained this already to you. The sole purpose of this “Atman” in this world is to somehow attain the “Paramatman”, who is none other than Bhagawan! Thus, if we understand this clearly, we shall be able to commence the “Karma Yoga”! Oh Arjuna! You are feeling scared of your duty of fighting the war, isn’t it? (“Nehaa vikrama naashosti”) Please don’t feel scared! By doing your duty, you’re thinking that you’ll end up committing a great sin of killing thousands of people on the battlefield, isn’t it? Please do not think so. By doing your duty, whatever you do here at Kurukshetra will not be counted as a sin at all!  (“Pratyavaayo na vidyate”)! Oh Arjuna! Please do just a bit of what I’m going to say now (“Svalpamapyasya dharmasya”)! Please have this mindset of paying heed to whatever I’m going to explain to you. If you listen to me patiently, you will be able to understand many things clearly. If you obey whatever I say, you will not only get clarity for your doubts in mind, but also will be able to cross this ocean of “Samsaara” permanently and thereby attain “Moksha”! Oh Arjuna! Please shun this fear that is looming large in your mind (“Aayate mahato bhayaath”)! Please take your “Gaandeepa” in your hand and start the fight!” 

Bhagawan Krishna continues thus, “Oh Arjuna! Many people in this world think that by learning and reciting the Vedas, they can go and enjoy in the “Svarga Lokha”! Of course that can happen. But little do they understand that the sole purpose of learning and reciting the Vedas is to attain the highest “Moksha”, by realizing the “Atma-Sakshatkara”.  Hence, a thousand people in this world will keep saying a thousand things. Don’t fall prey to all their words! Your ultimate aim should be to attain the highest “Moksha” and I’m teaching you the way to attain it, which not many people in this world know! Oh Arjuna! Please also understand the fact that the Vedas are common for all people who are embodiments of the three important “Gunas” – The “Sattva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and the “Tamo Guna”. If your “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna” start dominating, you will not be able to understand the significance of the Vedas. Oh Arjuna! Please catch hold of the “Sattva Guna” carefully and only this will guide you through to the path of “Moksha”. Hence, the “Maarga” (Path) to attain the highest “Moksha” is the same for everyone, but only a very few people can traverse this path. I want you to try and traverse this path to attain “Moksha” and you are perfectly capable of it! For this, you need to do your duty with “Sattva Guna”. Even though it might be a war wherein your “Rajo Guna” might start dominating you at many points, you should be very careful not to let it dominate too much. You should fight the war keeping “Dharma” in mind. If you do this, automatically your “Sattva Guna” will start taking precedence!” 

This is a very important philosophy once again, which Bhagawan is trying to explain. Now this is where we find the balance yet again – If our duty is the only point of focus and the result is not, the “Sattva Guna” will start prospering. However, if we start doing our duty, keeping the result in mind, our “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna” will start dominating and eventually we will get carried away by the success / failure of our actions! If we get carried away like this, the ultimate focus on “Dharma” would be completely lost! So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further with the relevant shlokas! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna clarifying a few things with Arjuna, on the pointer of being able to view happiness / sorrow, success / failure equally with a balance. Arjuna is of the opinion that it is easy to say all these things, but is it practically possible for people to follow! Bhagawan Krishna resorts to immediately clear this doubt by illustrating how He Himself was an epitome of this point during His previous “Rama-Avatara”. Bhagawan explains how He was neutral when He was awarded the kingdom of Ayodhya and also when it was taken away from Him by Mother Kaikeyi. Moreover, when He had to lose Mother Sita in the forest, He was not very perturbed, but did His duty to bring her back. By saying all this, Bhagawan Krishna illustrates that it is possible to lead a life in a balanced way with regards to happiness / sorrow and success / failure. This also proves one important point with regards to leadership and management of today – When Bhagawan Krishna is asserting this point, He talks about what He has done earlier, isn’t it? This shows that leaders should always have a proven track record while guiding others. Leaders should not talk simply in the air without practising what they preach. If such is the case, people will not respect the leader in any way. Thus, it is always important for a leader to “walk the talk”, rather than “only talking”! 🙂 Bhagawan Krishna is extremely good at this! 

Moving on further, now our important question here is whether Arjuna is convinced with what Bhagawan is saying. Arjuna immediately asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! If you’re doing so many things, can you expect normal people like us to do everything whatever you do? How fair can this be? You are Bhagawan! You may have the infinite capability to do anything and accomplish anything and everything in this world. However, we are normal people. We do not have the capability and intellect that you possess. For instance, you can instantaneously change the mindset of Kaikeyi if you want to. You can instantaneously change the mindset of Ravana too. You can even change Duryodhana’s mindset too if you want too, at this very moment! You can do all that! But we cannot, isn’t it? Moreover, the sole purpose for which you took the “Rama-Avatara” was to go to the forest and kill Ravana at Sri Lanka. If Kaikeyi’s wish is for you to go to the forest, why wouldn’t you take it? Hence, oh Bhagawan Krishna! Please stop this comparison between you doing something and we doing something! Please be practical! Now tell me how do we implement this point in our daily lives, if at all possible? Oh Bhagawan! You should always talk in my context! You should not generalize you with me! Please tell me what is implementable for me!” 

As Arjuna asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna laughs and replies immediately! This seems a very valid point raised by Arjuna, isn’t it? Bhagawan can do so many things, but can we do the same whatever He does? However, Bhagawan is sharp in retaliating to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! I knew you would ask this question to me! If you’re not able to follow whatever I do, why don’t you look at the Gurus, Alwars and Aachaaryas? They are also normal people like you! If they are able to do all these, why can’t you do? So please do not think that whatever I’m saying is impractical. Everything is doable! It is only in the mind whether we want to really do something or not. If we change our mindset and attitude, everything is possible!” 

Now this is a very important message that Bhagawan Krishna is sending out, not only for Arjuna but also for all of us! If we have the right attitude, everything is possible in this world, isn’t it? So for today, let us ponder over this point deeply and from here on, Bhagawan Krishna is slowly going to introduce the “Karma Yoga” to Arjuna and to all of us! We shall wait till the next episode to commence this important discussion! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of an important pointer of discussion wherein we’re talking about how we balance success and failure, and also happiness and sorrow. Of course it is very easy to say and difficult to implement, but we’ve to start somewhere, don’t we? So how do we do it? This is where Bhagawan Krishna is continuing His lengthy accord in this regard with Arjuna, wherein He talks about how if we perform our actions obediently by listening to Bhagawan’s words and advice, they become part of our “Dharma”. However, if we perform the same actions out of our ego and frustration, it will not account for our “Punya-Karma” at all and rather, would be considered as an act of “Adharma”. 

Moving on further thus, as Bhagawan Krishna explains all these things to Arjuna, he lifts up his head for the first time and laughs! Upon seeing Arjuna laughing, Bhagawan Krishna understands the meaning behind Arjuna’s laugh. By laughing, Arjuna conveys the thought process of all of us too! 🙂 He means thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You can say a hundred things like these! However, are they implementable? Do you think anybody in this world will be able to see happiness and sorrow on the same plane? If that happens, nobody will cry and nobody will laugh, right? So are you telling us that we should be completely devoid of all emotions? How is this even possible?” 

As Arjuna thinks thus, Bhagawan Krishna quickly realizes this and replies back even before Arjuna articulates this into words! In fact, if we look at this section of the Bhagawad Gita, Arjuna’s question will not be documented, however, Bhagawan’s reply would be described at length! This simply means that Bhagawan has understood Arjuna’s thought process clearly and even before he asks a question formally, Bhagawan gives the reply! So what does Bhagawan say? He says thus, “Oh my dear Arjuna! I’m only talking about whatever I’ve implemented in my earlier incarnation! Oh Arjuna! Please understand one thing clearly first up – This is not my first incarnation in this world and this is not going to be my last as well! In my previous incarnation as Bhagawan Rama, I had demonstrated all these qualities that I’m talking about now. For instance, when my father, King Dasharata said that I’ll be succeeding him to the throne, I was taking it with a balance. However, when Mother Kaikeyi announced that instead of me, her son Bharata would ascend to the throne, did my face or body language exhibit any kind of sorrow? The answer is “No”! Thus, on both occasions, I was maintaining my calm and composure and this is the hallmark of a leader! At any occasion, a leader should never lose his calm! Even if the leader is at the brink of a huge failure, he / she should maintain his composure and should never panic! This is what I followed when Mother Kaikeyi stormed at me with her stunning decision!” 

Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Arjuna! So please do not worry! Whatever I’m saying to you now, is completely implementable! I’ve been an epitome of all the implementations myself! Why should you go somewhere else for an example for this? I’ve patiently endured fourteen years of forest life and at the end of the thirteenth year, I had to lose Mother Sita too! Even at that time, I was calm and composed! I never panicked! Thus, no matter whatever the situation might be, you should never panic! If you panic, you will lose your temper and thereby, your decision-making capability!” 

By saying thus, Bhagawan is cleverly playing His cards here! 🙂 Firstly, He understands Arjuna’s mindset clearly and articulates His reply in such a way that Arjuna is listening to Him! Secondly, if someone has performed something and then talking about it, people will listen! If we simply keep talking in the air without doing anything, how do we expect people to listen to us? Thus, a proven track record is very important for a leader to bank upon and this is why we always say that leaders should “walk the path” and should “lead from the front”! This is how we set an example for the others to follow! Thus, here too, Bhagawan Krishna invokes His proven track record of His “Rama-Avatara” and draws examples from there to highlight His points! Maybe this is why the “Rama-Avatara” came before the “Krishna-Avatara”! 🙂 Only if Bhagwan Rama would have done something, will Bhagawan Krishna be able to talk about it, isn’t it? 🙂 

Thus, the point here is very clear – Leaders should have a proven track record, upon which they should bank and guide his followers! Bhagawan Krishna, through this reply clearly highlights this point to all of us! Hence, if we’re advising or guiding someone on something, we should always be sure that we’ve walked that path earlier! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Now the question is very simple – Is Arjuna going to get convinced with Bhagawan’s reply? Or, is he again going to have apprehensions about it? Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining an important point as to how we should treat “Sukham”, “Dukham”, Success and Failure equally with balance. If we succeed in something with flying colours, we should refrain from vociferously celebrating it, and at the same time, if we encounter failure, we should refrain from sitting in a corner and continuously brooding over it. We should take both on the same plane, and this is what Bhagawan Krishna is advising to Arjuna as well. In this context, we’ve seen that Arjuna had asked Bhagawan that what would happen if he loses the war against the Kaurava army, for which, Bhagawan Krishna explains that if such a situation happens, he would get “Veera-Svargam” wherein he would be able to enjoy the experience of the luxurious “Svarga Lokha” for all the “Punya Karma” that he has done till now. However, if he wins the war, he would be able to enjoy the luxuries of the kingdom of Hastinapura and thereby get an opportunity to execute the duties of the kingdom along the path of “Dharma”. Hence, in both ways, Arjuna is only going to experience satisfaction, because he would be following the path of “Dharma” to fight the war. 

Now this is the difference which Bhagawan stresses upon again and again – Fighting the war might be a mere bad action that might cause harm to thousands of people. However, if the fight is for the cause of “Dharma” and if it is taking place by obeying Bhagawan’s words, it becomes part of “Punya Karma”. However, if the same war is fought by Arjuna because of his anger and ego towards Duryodhana, it wouldn’t be counted as “Punya Karma” and “Dharma”. This is the subtle difference in approach towards our actions that we’ve to understand clearly. If we approach our “Karma” (Duties in this context) with a mindset that Bhagawan has asked us to perform, it becomes “Dharma” and whatever result arises out of it, would not bother us really. Even if we encounter failure towards the end, we would automatically be able to develop that mindset that perhaps Bhagawan wanted us to undergo this failure for some major reason, which we might not be able to understand. 

For instance, if we are preparing well to clear an interview for a job which is something that we dream about for many months / years – We would obviously put in a lot of effort to prepare for the interview and associated processes, wouldn’t we? If we make our preparations keeping Bhagawan in mind and assuming that Bhagawan is guiding us in whatever effort we make, success or failure that come as a result, will not bother us really. Especially if there’s a failure and if we do not get short-listed for the subsequent rounds, we would be able to develop a mindset thus, “It’s okay! Perhaps Bhagawan did not want us to enter into this company at this time. Maybe the time isn’t good for us to do this. Bhagawan knows when to give what! Hence, let us wait for the right time and right opportunity and keep praying to Bhagawan!” Now, when will this mindset come? It will come only when we’re surrendering all our actions to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet, isn’t it? Hence, if we’re surrendering our actions to Bhagawan, won’t we be able to view both success and failure equally? 

Now this is the second step here which Bhagawan is going to explain. I’m just giving a prelude on this today, and in the subsequent episodes, we shall witness the shlokas and Bhagawan’s explanation on this. However, for now, we should understand that the first step is to try and view success and failure on the same plane. But how do we do this? How do we develop that mindset to view success and failure equally in life? The only way through which we can achieve this step is to completely surrender all our actions to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet. If we’re able to do so, we would be able to have a balanced outlook towards everything in life. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall take this discussion forward at a more in-depth level! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna creating a step-wise procedure to attain the highest “Moksha” very clearly. It all starts from the “Deha-Atma-Vivekam”, which manifests into a pure mind. If we perform all our actions with a pure mind, it becomes part of our “Karma Yoga”. Only within a pure mind, will “Gnyaana Yoga” prosper! If we meticulously perform the “Gnyaana Yoga” with a lot of persistence and perseverance, it would lead us to realize the “Atma-Saakshaakaram”. With the “Atma-Saakshaakaram”, we are going to progress towards Bhagawan without any hiccups. Bhagawan Krishna is going to explain this step-wise procedure in a great detail in the upcoming five “Adhyaayas”, with enormous detailing about the “Karma Yoga”, lined up next. 

Moving forward thus, Arjuna asks the next question to Bhagawan – “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! You’re saying all this with the assumption that we would win this war. However, what if we end up losing it? What will happen then? My “Deham” will also get destroyed in the process and my “Atman” will only remain. How will I perform the “Karma” (Actions) thereafter?” As Arjuna asks thus, Bhagawan quickly replies back – “Oh Arjuna! Why do you want to keep worrying like this all the time? If you end up on the losing side, you will attain the “Veera-Svargam” wherein you will enjoy the resultant of all the good actions that you’ve done so far. However, if you win the war, you are going to obtain the entire Hastinapura kingdom, with which you can enjoy it on one hand, and on the other, you can take that as an opportunity to establish “Dharma” in the world!” 

Bhagawan Krishna continues thus, 

“Sukha dukhe same druthvaa laabhaa laabhou jayaa jayou!

Tasmaad yuddhaan yuddhasva naivam paapam avaapyasi!!”

Bhagawan Krishna once again establishes thus, “Oh Arjuna! Please understand one thing clearly – Both “Sukham” and “Dukham” will keep alternating between each other in life. There cannot be a time wherein you will continuously be experiencing “Sukham” only, and vice versa. Thus, these are things that keep coming and going. Similarly, victory and defeat are part and parcel of the life of a “Kshatrya”. Today you might lose, but tomorrow you might win. Hence, the point here is, you should learn to view “Sukham” and “Dukham” in a balanced way. You should learn to view victory and defeat in a balanced way. You should neither get too carried away by the victory that you obtain, nor you should sit in a corner and brood over failure. You should learn to treat both equally!” 

This is yet another important philosophy that Bhagawan Krishna is explaining here, and upon a closer look, we should realize that this particular shloka is the fundamental base for the entire discussion on “Karma Yoga”. If we’ve to say that we’ve to look at success and failure equally, this is the base argument for building the narrative of “Detachment”, which Bhagawan is going to talk about later on during the “Karma Yoga” discussion. Thus, even in a modern-day leadership context, a successful leader is the one who is able to find a balance between success and failure. Just because the organization has encountered hurdles, hiccups or roadblocks somewhere, does it mean that the leader shows his anger / frustration on his people squarely? Or, just because the organization tastes success, do people celebrate as if there’s no tomorrow? There should be a balance, isn’t it? Especially when the team / organization is at the brink of failure, this is where the leader should step up, stand with his / her people and motivate them further, isn’t it? So when will the leader be able to do this? Only if the leader is having a balanced outlook towards success and failure, isn’t it? 

So this is what we’ve to learn from today’s episode. Thus, for now, let us understand clearly that for both spiritual and professional advancement, we should learn to start looking at success and failure with a balance. I know it’s easier said than done, but somewhere we’ve to start, isn’t it? So for today, let us start thinking on this and let us find out ways how we can implement this great philosophy in our lives! We shall continue this discussion further in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining to Arjuna as to how he should obey Bhagawan’s words and fight the war, rather than running away from the battlefield and later coming and fighting the war with extreme anger and ego. Bhagawan Krishna clearly points out Arjuna’s mindset here – He is momentarily carried away by emotions towards Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya. If he runs away from the battlefield at this moment without fighting the war, what is Duryodhana going to say? He is going to make fun of Arjuna and ridicule him saying that Arjuna is nothing less than a coward, who is running away feeling scared of seeing the mammoth “show of strength”! As Duryodhana would do this, do we think Arjuna would keep quiet? Where would his emotions go at that time? It will all vanish! Now as Duryodhana ridicules, Arjuna would fume with anger, as his past bitter memories would start haunting him again! Now he would anyway come back to the battlefield and fight against Duryodhana, won’t he? Thus, rather than fighting the war out of anger and frustration, Arjuna can fight the war on the pretext of protecting “Dharma”, can’t he? This is exactly what Bhagawan is trying to make Arjuna understand here. If one does an action on the pretext of “Dharma”, it becomes part of his / her “Karma Yoga” and thereby paves the way for attaining the ultimate “Moksha”, by realizing the “Atma-Saakshaadkaaram”. 

Thus, Bhagawan Krishna is clearly building a step-wise narrative beautifully here. Readers have to understand this clearly – The first step is “Atma-Gnyaanam”. With this “Atma-Gnyaanam” if we perform our Karma (Duties / Actions), our mind becomes pure. Only within a pure mind, will “Gnyaana Yoga” prosper! If we meticulously perform the “Gnyaana Yoga” with a lot of persistence and perseverance, it would lead us to realize the “Atma-Saakshaakaram”. Thus, the equation is very clear here! It starts from “Atma-Gnyaanam”, which should lead to the “Karma Yoga” and once we start performing our actions on the pretext of “Dharma”, the dirt in our mind starts getting eradicated. Only once the mind is free and devoid of all the dirt and unwanted thoughts, will we be able to perform the “Gnyaana Yoga” (For instance, “Dhyaanam” or Meditation). Once the “Gnyaana Yoga” starts prospering, we would be able to realize Bhagawan through the “Atma-Saakshaadkaram”. 

Thus, this is going to be the crux of the message that Bhagawan Krishna is going to talk about for the next six “Adhyaayas”! He is now sowing the seed for a great discussion in the current second “Adhyaaya” and is going to continue this in great detail in the subsequent “Adhyaayas” to explain how we should perform our actions (Karma), and through this, how we can align our minds towards the “Gnyaana Yoga”. Only through the “Gnyaana Yoga”, will we be able to progress further in our spiritual journey. Now the bigger question here is whether Arjuna is going to accept this path or not. This path might sound very easy, but there are definitely intricacies and nuances all along. However, Arjuna is thinking and having an opinion that going into meditation and penance is easier and this can be done by escaping from his duty on the battlefield. Many of us also have this thought, don’t we? Instead of slogging out every passing day with our various actions, why can’t we go to the forest, renounce everything and sit in penance completely? We might think it’s an easy way out, but the real challenge here is whether we will be able to do it? An interesting discussion is going to commence and let us wait till the next episode for it! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed how Bhagawan Krishna is motivating Arjuna to pick up the “Gaandeepa” and fight the war. He is now doing it by explaining the duties of a Kshatrya warrior. Since Arjuna is a Kshatrya himself, the only “Maarga” (Way) of walking the path of “Dharma” is through fighting the war. This is where many of us mistake Bhagawan Krishna’s words by saying that He is inciting violence and feud between people. It is actually not the case. Bhagawan is only teaching Arjuna the way to attain the highest “Moksha” by doing his duty. This is quite similar to people in military, paramilitary forces, etc. wherein their primary job is to protect our territorial borders. If that entails fighting and killing of the enemy, it is their duty to do so and we cannot keep talking here that killing someone or hurting someone is “Adharma”! Thus, by applying this analogy if we’ve to view, whatever Bhagawan Krishna says is extremely valid, isn’t it? Readers should thus be very careful not to get carried away by such false narrative about our Bhagawan Krishna. Our “Sanaatana Dharma” always stands for peace and harmony. However, if we’re attacked by an enemy, of course we’ve to defend. We can’t be “sitting ducks” for the enemy isn’t it? So let us ponder over this as we move on! 

Moving on further from here, Bhagawan Krishna slowly asks Arjuna thus, “Oh my dear Arjuna! You’re wanting to renounce this fight and go to the forest, aren’t you? Try doing it! But let me tell you what will happen! Please remember – We’re in the centre of the battlefield wherein everyone is looking at us. At this time, if you drop your “Gaandeepa” and go, how will Duryodhana and Karna react to it? Do you think they will also have the same amount of emotion and compassion that you have for them? The answer is “Never”! The moment you put down your “Gaandeepa” and go, do you know what they will tell? Duryodhana will say thus, “Oh look! Arjuna is running away from the battlefield like a coward! He doesn’t have the guts to fight the war against me! Upon looking at my mighty and powerful army, Arjuna started shaking with fear and gave up the fight even before it commenced!” When you listen to this narrative from Duryodhana, do you think your ego is going to let you continue your way to the forest? You will once again come back to the battlefield and start fighting automatically! 🙂 Hence, instead of taking the “Gaandeepa” after Duryodhana’s ridicule, why don’t you take the “Gaandeepa” because I wanted you to fight? If you take the “Gaandeepa” in hand because I told you, it becomes your “Dharma” and part of your “Karma Yoga”. However, when you run away and come back with anger and start fighting, it will not become part of your “Karma Yoga”!”

This is a huge philosophy that Bhagawan Krishna is presenting here, which all of us need to understand. So what He’s trying to tell here is this – If Arjuna takes the bow and arrow to fight the war by obeying Bhagawan’s words, it becomes part of his “Karma Yoga”, which leads him to realize the “Atma-Saakshaadkaaram”, which in turn will pave the way to doing Bhakti. However, if Arjuna goes away from the battlefield by shying away from his duty and if Duryodhana ridicules him for this, Arjuna would obviously come back! He, being a “Kshatrya”, will not be able to tolerate such insults and he would only want to give it back to Duryodhana with interest! However, if he does this with utmost anger and frustration, maybe he can still win the war. But will it transform into “Dharma” and “Atma-Saakshaadkaaram”? The answer is “No”! Thus, if we’re doing an action with our own ego, desire and anger, it does not fructify! However, if we’re doing the same action just because Bhagawan wants us to do it, it becomes “Bhakti”! This is something which we’ve to understand clearly here. 

So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and in the next episode, we shall witness the leadership and managerial implications for this point as we move forward further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna asserting to Arjuna that as a “Kshatrya” warrior, his primary duty is to stand up and fight for the cause of “Dharma”. This war is a unique one and it is clearly a war between “Dharma” and “Adharma”. In due course, Bhagawan Krishna also firms up the stage one which is the “Deha-Atma-Viveka-Gnyaana”, which we’ve discussed in detail for the past few episodes. Moving on further, as stage one discussion comes to an end in the second “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan Krishna explains the duties that Arjuna should perform as a “Kshatrya” warrior. We shall witness the shloka which we last discussed yesterday in order to have continuity in our discussion. Bhagawan Krishna says thus, 

“Svadharmapabi cha abekshya na vikampitum arhasi!

Dharmaarthi yuddhaah chreyaha annyakshatryasa vidhyate!!”

Here, Bhagawan clearly stresses the importance of Arjuna getting up and fighting the war, rather than sitting and brooding over losing his family members and friends. However, there could be a gross misinterpretation here in this shloka which people can make – Is Bhagawan Krishna inducing violence wantedly into the mind of Arjuna? If there’s a peace method of resolving issues, why is Bhagawan Krishna resorting to a war? Is He trying to instigate Arjuna through the Bhagawad Gita? We shall witness the answer today. We should understand one thing very clearly here – Bhagawan Krishna is asking Arjuna, who is a “Kshatrya” to take the weapon and fight. He is not motivating either a Brahmana Rishi or a Vaishya to fight the war. Moreover, the “Maarga” through which a “Kshatrya” can attain “Moksha” is only through fighting for “Dharma” and nothing else. It is the duty of a “Kshatrya” prince to fight and protect the kingdom from all the “Adharmic” forces isn’t it? Even in today’s context, we see all our military and armed forces fighting on our territorial borders. They are killing countless numbers of terrorists who are trying to infiltrate our borders every passing day, and by that, they are protecting all of us from serious life threats and terrorist attacks on a large scale. Hence, just because killing a living being is considered to be an “Adharmic” act, can our army people put down their weapons and stand simply? This cannot happen, isn’t it? Hence, even though the “Dharma” of “Ahimsa” might be valid, the context in which this “Dharma” is valid or not is important for us to understand. In this case, Arjuna is a warrior and he is performing the duty of fighting and protecting “Dharma”. Hence, it is the duty of Bhagawan Krishna to motivate Arjuna and make him take the weapon in his hand again. 

Hence, to answer the important and often misinterpreted question in a nutshell – Through this shloka, Bhagawan Krishna is doing the right thing by motivating Arjuna to fight. This doesn’t mean that He is inciting and instigating violence. Bhagawan Krishna is only making Arjuna to do his duty, so that through his “Karma Yoga”, he can also attain the highest “Moksha”. Bhagawan is going to talk about the “Karma Yoga” in a great detail in the ensuing “Adhyaayas”, and this is the foundation for it. So, all the misinterpretations that people make from this important shloka stand nullified and we should understand that through such half-baked arguments, these people are trying to malign our “Sanaatana Dharma” and Bhagawan Krishna. We should understand one basic thing here – Our “Sanaatana Dharma” is the only religion in this world that promotes peace and harmony, along the path of “Dharma” (“Vaasudeva Kutumbakam”). If there is an “Adharmic” force that is posing a threat to this peace and harmony, obviously one has to destroy those forces, and the right persons have to be employed for this purpose. This is exactly what Bhagawan Krishna is doing here – He is employing the right person in the form of Arjuna and the other Paandava brothers to destroy those “Adharmic” forces in the form of Duryodhana and Co. and restoring the “Dharma”, peace and harmony in the state of Hastinapura. 

So for today, let us ponder over this point and let us understand this very clearly. We shall continue this discussion in the next episode and move on further from here! Stay tuned! 🙂  

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! 🙂