Yug Gita-25
Jahi Ïatru® Mah³b³ho K³mar¿pa® Dur³sadam
(O mighty-armed Arjuna, conquer this insatiable enemy of lust!)
L
ord Shri Krishna is explaining to Arjuna the significance of self-control in the following two ïlokas: Indriyasyendriyasy³rthe r³gadveÌau vyavasthitau Ð Tayor na vaïam³gacchettau hyasya paripanthinauH (34/3) Meaning: Attraction and aversion of senses to their corresponding sense-objects is unavoidable. (However) one should not be controlled by them since they are obstacles in one’s path. Ïrey³nswadharmo viguña¡ paradharm³t svanuïthit³t Ð Svadharme nidhana® ïreya¡ paradharmo bhay³vaha¡ H (35/3) Meaning: One’s own dharma (prescribed duty), though devoid of merit, is better than another’s dharma perfectly followed. Even death is superior in performing one’s own dharma. But following another’s dharma is fraught with dangers. The Gita is a scientific book educating the people about the process of making a human being. Herein, Shri Krishna is opening the mysteries of man’s failures in life to Arjuna. In ïloka (34/3), he says that in this diverse world, everyone may have one’s own r³gas and dveÌas. The likes and dislikes of one person may not match with that of the other. R³ga is a sense of attraction that a person experiences when he gets his favorite object or favorable atmosphere. For example, a drunkard would love a bottle of wine, and a sadhaka would prefer the fruits. We hate things that are against our passion. The kind of our
desires decides the intensity of our love or hate for anything. That is why a person desirous of attaining salvation should be free form r³gas and dveÌas. The common man, however, should be alert so that the senses of attraction and aversion do not compel him to indulge in some heinous act. In fact, such tendencies should not become deep-rooted traits that may create problems later. Shri Krishna is advising that a person should undoubtedly conquer the lower tendencies, but should not go against his nature. Why? Because it is better to walk on one’s chosen path than following others. The same thing has been said in ïloka (35/3). Sticking to one’s dharma is better than adopting other’s way of life (dharma). Some scholars might feel that the Lord is orthodox and is propagating varnashram dharma. It may also appear that the then society was in favor of maintaining the status quo regarding the caste system. That is, the one who is born in the Kshatriya caste should be ready for war, and the Brahman should always follow an intellectual life. But when one contemplates deeply, one
Good health and good sense are two of life’s greatest blessings. - Publilius Syrus Akhand Jyoti
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JULY-AUG. 2020
