Gita Acharan

  One of the common fears of humanity is about committing sins ( paap ). Every culture evolved around sin and the common belief is that all our sufferings are because of sins committed by us in this birth or the previous ones. Religions thrive on our guilt of committing sins. Even Arjun's despondency is because of his belief that he will incur sin by slaying his elders, teachers and relatives. That's why Krishna elaborates on this issue on various occasions in the Bhagavad Gita. Firstly, paramatma takes no account of anyone’s virtue or sin. It is the problem of human beings who are deluded as their knowledge is covered by moha (delusion or ignorance) (5.15). Secondly, one hoping for nothing, with a controlled mind and body, doing mere bodily actions, incurs no sin (4.21). Even if we are the most sinful of sinners, we shall safely cross the sea of sin by the raft of wisdom (4.36). The wisdom is realising ‘that’ by which we will see all beings in the self (4.35). Thirdly, f...

  Krishna says, "Hear again My supreme instruction, the most confidential of all. I am revealing this for your benefit because you are very dear to Me (18.64). Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. Doing so, you shall come to Me. This is My promise to you, for you are very dear to Me" (18.65). These verses are not stand-alone verses. Instead, they are the culmination of what was being told earlier when Krishna said, "Remember Me all times ( sarveshu-kaleshu-anusmra ) and fight. With mind and intellect absorbed in Me you shall without doubt come unto Me” (8.7). The riddle of 'remembering Him all times' is solved when Krishna said, "United with the self, one sees the self in all beings and all the beings in the self, he sees the same everywhere (6.29). He who perceives Me everywhere and sees all in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me" (6.30). Krishna further says, "Abandon all dharmas and take re...

  'The existence' doesn't expect us to behave in a particular manner. It gives us freedom to make our own choices. But the consequences of the choices we make are subject to the natural principles enumerated in the Bhagavad Gita. The same is reflected when Krishna says, "Thus, I have explained to you this knowledge that is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish" (18.63). This verse clearly dispels the notion that Krishna is compelling Arjun to fight. Instead, at the end of the Gita Krishna gave him the freedom to choose.   This verse comes in the background of Krishna telling Arjun, "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). Another aspect is that Krishna always told us to drop our desires and wishes, but here he says do as you wish. These aspects need to be kept in mind to understand this verse.   Firstly, aha...