Bhagavad Gita Verses 35 to 39 - Some thoughts

[Guest guest]

Bhagavad Gita Verses 35 to 39 - Some thoughts

 

The Lord exposes the fallacy of Arjuna's logic through this verses

forcefully. The Lord explains why Arjuna's arguments that desisting from

battle would prove to be the greatest source of misery to him. It is human

weakness to develop logic and arguments to justify one's own actions. Any

action based on logic alone has pitfalls and the Lord explains that for every

intellectual logical argument it is possible to develop counter logic with

more convincing explanations. Consequently, human beings experience chaotic

situations filled with fear, worries and guilt feelings. The subtle message

here is that we should seek divine guidance and support. Arjuna rightly chose

to ask the Lord to help him to subdue his intellect and the Lord shows his

compassion and love toward Arjuna.

 

There is a distinction between ‘self-esteem' and ego. Self-esteem is the

motivational force (hidden energy) and is necessary for great warriors such as

Arjuna. Ego on the contrary is the false notion due to delusion and most of

the time it is destructive. Warriors like challenging assignments because it

kindles their self-esteem. Lord Krishna points out to Arjuna that his present

action will make his worst enemy (Duryodhana) to laugh at him and make fun of

him. The Lord wanted to Arjuna to get back his self-esteem and discard his

false notions.

 

Verse 36 is a reply to verse 6 of this chapter where Arjuna had given

expression to the confusion of his mind by saying that he did not know which

was preferable for him, to fight or not to fight; nor did he know whether he

would win the battle, or would be conquered by the Kauravas. With reference to

that statement of Arjuna, the Lord shows in this verse that whether he is

killed in action on the battle-field, or attains victory, he will stand to win

both ways, and thus proves that participation in battle was the best course

for Arjuna. That is to say, if the fight resulted in a victory for the

Kauravas, and Arjuna met his death on the battlefield, he would not be a loser

in as much as such death itself would be a direct passport to heaven. And if,

on the other hand, the crown of victory went to him, he would enjoy undisputed

sovereignty over the earth. From both these points of view, participation in

the war was the most expedient course. Lord Krishna points out that fighting

the war with full dedication and determination is a win-win proposition!

 

Verse 37 is again Lord's reply to several verses (Chapter 1, verses 36, 39 and

45). The Lord says that if Arjuna really had no desire for pleasures of

kingship or of heaven, he should engage himself in the fight as a matter of

duty! Arjuna is reminded that persons who made idealistic declarations should

prove worthy of their statements! Lord Krishna indirectly points out the

fallacy of Arjuna's logic and uses Arjuna's medicine (logic) for his illness!

 

In Verse 38, the Lord says that He has presented this attitude of mind from

the point of view of Jnanayoga He means to indicate there from verse 11 to

verse 30 above He has shown how through the practice of Jnanayoga the capacity

to treat everything and every experience alike could be attained, and how the

Jnanayogi, realizing with the help of discrimination the true nature of the

soul, should perform in a spirit of equanimity the duties attaching to the

order of society and stage in life he is placed in. The word `Imam' also

refers to the attitude of equanimity as described in the preceding verse. By

saying "now hear the same as presented from the standpoint of Karmayoga", the

Lord indicates that He would now proceed to describe in the following verses

what this attitude of equanimity meant from the point of view of Karmayoga,

how it was cultivated during the practice of Karmayoga; and what was its

fruit. Arjuna was therefore requested to hear these ideas with due attention

and care. Again, in verse 38 it was pointed out that when the fight was

inevitable, it should be fought in such a way that it might not prove to be

the cause of bondage. That is why, both from the point of view of Jnanayogaand

of Karmayoga, the attitude of equanimity has been shown to be necessary and

indispensable. The present verse establishes the connection of this attitude

of equanimity with both the forms of spiritual discipline, viz, Jnanayoga and

Karmayoga.

 

In Verse 39, Lord explains that an action is apt to produce good or evil,

favorable or unfavorable results, only when it is prompted by some interested

motive; but there being no desire in Karmayoga, it cannot lead to any contrary

result. The Lord stresses the importance of cultivating the Yagna spirit in

conducting one's own duties. The Yagna spirit is the greatest shield which

protects us from diverting our attention to the consequences instead of

focusing on the action. Bad habits appear sweet in the beginning and they

bring temporary happiness and permanent misery! There is no wonder more people

get addicted to bad habits such as smoking, drinking, etc. On the other hand,

Good habits take longer time to cultivate and such habits appear bitter in the

beginning but will yield ever lasting success and peace. The Lord gives

Arjuna the fundamental lessons on spirituality and it raised lots of questions

in the minds of Arjuna in the beginning! When he understood those fundamentals

he determined to follow His advice and guidance! Let us follow the footsteps

of Arjuna and cultivate the Yagna spirit in our daily activities.

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

This is also a prelude to the aphoristic verse III:9 :

 

yaj~naarthatkarmaNo.anyatra loko.aya.n karmabandhanaH .

tadartha.n karma kaunteya muktasa~NgaH samaachara ..

 

The bondage of action applies only when not performed as a sacrifice [for

the sake of God]. Therfore act free from attachment [to results].

 

 

Regards,

 

s.

 

 

 

 

>Ram Chandran <chandran

>advaitin

>Advaitin List <advaitin >

> Bhagavad Gita Verses 35 to 39 - Some thoughts

>Sun, 16 Apr 2000 23:50:40 -0400

>

>Bhagavad Gita Verses 35 to 39 - Some thoughts

>

>

>In Verse 39, Lord explains that an action is apt to produce good or evil,

>favorable or unfavorable results, only when it is prompted by some

>interested

>motive; but there being no desire in Karmayoga, it cannot lead to any

>contrary

>result. The Lord stresses the importance of cultivating the Yagna spirit

>in

>conducting one's own duties. The Yagna spirit is the greatest shield which

>protects us from diverting our attention to the consequences instead of

>focusing on the action.

____

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