209. Axe of Non-Attachment
K rishna spoke about the inverted tree of life where human beings are bound by roots hanging downwards and these roots are nothing but karmas (actions). Krishna immediately offers a solution to come out of this bondage and advises us to wield the ‘axe of non-attachment’ (15.3). Non-attachment is one of the foundational principles of the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna has referred to this teaching on many occasions. Broadly, we have attachments to people, things, feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Many of our beliefs are based on unscientific myths, irrational assumptions, or unverified information. By cultivating the quality of ‘questioning’, which was given by Krishna to be a good learner, one can attain non-attachment to them (4.34). When we are told about non-attachment, we tend to gravitate towards detachment or even hatred. That’s why Krishna categorically told us to drop hatred (5.3) by inculcating the divine quality of forgiveness (16.3). We find it very difficult to shed attachme...