Gita - Chapter 3 and 4

 


[3.1 & 3.2 reimagined]

Hearing all this Arjuna felt that Krishna's words were ambiguous. He asked, "If we are all illusions and if that knowledge should guide our actions, why do you even ask me to fight this terrible war? Why should I act at all when I can choose to not fight? Wouldn't that spare me from the bad consequences that you speak off?"

[3.4,3.5,3.6,3.7,3.8]

Krishna replied, "Even an inaction, is not truly an inaction. It is an action of choice to not do more born from a desire. Actions cannot be stopped  by simply choosing to not act. There is no one who can remain without action even for a moment. Even your body cannot maintain itself without actions.

Renouncing the actions that fulfills dharma doesnt bring about peace.

Neither can a person learn that everything is an illusion by simple renunciation. Actions are what drives a person to the knowledge, not inactions.

If you choose to not act physically while staying attached to your desires; you will not find peace. However if you act while being detached to desires,  you will be unaffected by the illusions and find peace.

And so, you must act on your dharma as inaction is not the path to peace.

[reimagined]

If you must embrace inaction, you must first let go of desires.

[3.13,3.17,3.18,3.19]

Such a person would first feed hungry before he would feed himself, while others would only cook for their own desires.

When a person truly internalizes that everything is an illusion, He would be content no matter what. Such a person is not bound by Dharma as there is nothing for him to gain or lose. He will be unaffected by the consequences he receives.

And so the key is not the inaction by itself, but the detachment to desires. Since you have not been able to free yourself from desires, you must perform your act as per your dharma.

[3.20,3.21,3.22,3.23,3.24,3.30,3.33,3.35]

However, even if you internalize that everything is an illusion, you must still consider to act on your dharma. This is because the people who hasn't internalized this would follow you to attain peace.

I have nothing to gain or loose from this fight, yet I am engaged since it is my dharma to advise you.

If I do my dharma with complete focus, people will follow my insights to attain their own peace.

If I choose to not perform my dharma, people may not find a path to attain peace.

When a fool would perform their dharma for his own desires, Why shouldn't the wise act without attachment for the sake of  others who needs help?

And so act without any attachment,  meditate and realize that everything is an illusion, become free from desires and selfishness. When this helps you to stop grieving, fight.

It is natural to experience attachments and aversions to the illusions you focus on, but do not let it control you.

It is better to do your dharma, even when it is tinged with imperfection than to perform an another person's dharma perfectly. This is because everyone's acts according to their nature and what can anyone gain from suppressing?"

[re-imagined]

Arjuna listened carefully, he was in a dillemna. He knew what Krishna says is the truth, but he still found an aversion in him in following Krishna's advise.

[3.36]

Arjuna asked, "Why do people hesitate to do what is right, and does what is wrong, many times unwillingly. As if something is controlling their actions?"

[3.37, 3.38,3.40,3.41,

Krishna repled, "It is desires of a passionate soul which compels them to act, even if they know that it is wrong. The desires overwhelm the knowledge and they choose to act on it irrationally and impulsively.

Just like how dust can conceal the reflection of a mirror, One's sense of right and wrong can get covered by desires. It clouds their mind and deludes them to act on the desires than knowledge.

If you can destroy your desires and keep actions grounded on knowledge, you will attain peace.

So Arjuna, act with detachment and kill your desires.

[4.21,4.22]

Free yourself from expectations and ownership to the consequences of your action, Arjun. If you do, you would not do anything wrong. 

Let whatever consequence that comes your way from those detached actions.  Treat success and failure as the two faces of the same coin. 

[4.27]

Be inspired by this knowledge and  attempt to be detached from your senses with intent even if not internalized.

[4.33,4.35]

Sacrifice your ego with this knowledge, and it will be far superior to any sacrifice done without it.

Following this path, you will see that all living beings are simply the part of the same Brahman.

[4.39]

Those who keeps their faith in Brahman and practice controlling their their thoughts and perception attain everlasting peace.

 [4.42]

With this knowledge,  remove your doubts from your heart. Embrace your  ability to act without desires. Stand up and take action!


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