254. Consequences of Ahankaar

 

There are adverse consequences when we don’t follow natural laws. For example, if someone jumps from a height ignoring gravity, the consequences are inevitable. Similarly, Krishna cautions about the consequences of violating the principles of existence or natural laws as explained by Him in the Bhagavad Gita. He says, “Fixing your mind on Me you shall overcome all obstacles and difficulties by My grace. You will perish if you do not listen to My advice due to ahankaar” (18.58). Perishing is inevitable like falling from a height when we are driven by ahankaar (aham-karta).

Krishna says, “Because of ahankaar if you think ‘I will not fight’, your resolution will be in vain. Your nature will compel you to fight” (18.59). Firstly, even if Arjuna had left the battlefield, the war would not have ended. Secondly, Arjuna wouldn’t have sat passive when the battle was going on where his immediate family is facing danger. This verse indicates that governed by his swa-dharma (own nature), Arjuna would fight the battle.

Krishna further says, “That action which out of delusion you do not wish to do, you will be driven to do by your own inclination, born of your own swa-bhaav (material nature)” (18.60). This is one of the common dilemmas faced by us. Many times, we resolve to remain silent or avoid hurtful words to our loved ones when they do or say something which is not to our liking. But at that moment, we do exactly the opposite of what we had planned to execute. Though it looks simple from the outside but our swa-bhaav takes over at that moment. This verse indicates that under delusion we are driven by swa-bhaav rather than natural laws. As this delusion is caused by ahankaar, the essence is to shed ahankaar.

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