25. Rose can never become a Lotus

 

Krishna explains about swa-dharma (one’s own nature or paradigm) (2.31-2.37) and advises Arjuna that being a kshatriya he should not hesitate to fight as it is his swa-dharma (2.31).

Dharma or reality is One and is viraat (immeasurable). Our limited senses find it difficult to comprehend it. We perceive it in different ways like how the proverbial blind men perceive the same elephant differently through their touch. If one perceives it as a tusk, then that becomes their reality or swa-dharma. In the contemporary context, it is called paradigm or frame of reference.

Following swa-dharma implies remaining true to one’s own perception of truth, like one who sees it as a tusk, rather than embracing the attractive interpretation of another (para-dharma) who perceives it as a leg or a tail. Being a warrior is Arjuna’s swa-dharma, and in a moment, he cannot become anything else.

 Kshatriya is the combination of ‘kshat’ meaning ‘hurt’ and ‘tra’ meaning ‘to protect’.  Kshatriya is one who gives protection from hurt.

The best example is of a mother who shields the baby in the womb and protects the children till they are on their own. So, she is the first kshatriya we have come across in our lives. She may be untrained and might not be experienced in childcare, but it comes naturally to her. This trait is a glimpse of swa-dharma.

Once a rose was smitten by a majestic lotus flower and started nurturing the desire to be a lotus. But there is no way that a rose can become a lotus. The rose wanted to be different from what it is capable of, and we have similar tendencies to try to be different from what we are, resulting in the despondency of the kind faced by Arjuna. The rose can change its colour, size and shape, but will remain a rose which is its swa-dharma.