Gita Acharan

K rishna says that swa-dharma (own-nature or reality) is superior to well accomplished para-dharma (other’s nature or reality) even when the former is devoid of merit. It’s better to die in swa-dharma than to be fraught with fear in para-dharma (3.35). This intricate verse creates more doubts than clarity in our minds. This verse is purely contextual for Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war. Arjuna has warrior dharma till that moment and desires to be a saint in the next one. The chances for this change are bleak, and Krishna is indicating the same in this verse. While dharma or reality is One, 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. The verse further indicates that one who perceives it as a tusk should keep pursuing his path rather t...

  K rishna explains about swa-dharma (2.31-2.37), para-dharma (other’s nature or paradigm) (3.35) and finally advises shunning all dharmas to unite with Paramatma (18.66) . Arjuna’s despondency arose out of his egocentric fear of damaging his reputation if he fought the war and killed his brethren. Krishna tells him that he would damage his reputation even if he avoided battle, as fighting is his swa-dharma (2.34-2.36). The community would feel that Arjuna was fearful of engaging in battle and for a kshatriya fearing battle is worse than death. Krishna further explains that swa-dharma , even if it’s faulty or devoid of merits, is better than para-dharma. Death in the path of swa-dharma is better as para-dharma is fraught with fear (3.35). Para-dharma appears easy and regarded more favourable by our outward looking senses, especially when we observe successful people. Ordinarily, our sense of self-worth comes from being favourably compared. These include the pr...