Concepts and Issues
This is the last and the longest Chapter dealing with renunciation and liberation concluding the whole discourse.
Every action has five causes and it is foolish to consider the Atman, the Self, as the doer. One who does actions without the sense of doership and with an untainted mind is never bound by them.
There is nothing in the three worlds that is not free from the effect of these gunas.
Swabhava or inborn nature determines one’s own duties. By worshipping The Lord through devoted performance of one’s duties, one can attain spiritual perfection. That is why one should never forsake one's duties even if they appear to be imperfect or defective.
One, who has controlled his body, speech and mind, lives in a secluded place and practices meditation on the Self, will become fit to attain the state of Brahman. Such a one, able to see the same Lord in all, obtains intense devotion to Sri Krishna. Through such devotion he understands Him and enters into Him.
Now Sri Krishna assures Arjuna that by doing all actions and offering them unto Him he will attain the eternal abode, after having crossed over all the difficulties. In case he does not listen to this advice, he will perish. It is egoism that is prompting Arjuna to say that he will not fight. However, his very nature as a kshatriya will force him to fight, falsifying his resolve.
Sri Krishna declared to Arjuna that he might do as he pleased after pondering over what all He said. He urges him to be totally devoted and dedicated to Him by renouncing all Dharmas and He, the Supreme Lord, will free him from all sorrows and take care of him.
The discourse ends with an advice that this sacred knowledge should not be given to unworthy persons bereft of austerity and devotion, but only to those endowed with devotion to The Lord. Even the study of this discourse endears one to him.
Sanjaya confesses his great joy for having heard this wonderful discourse directly from Sri Krishna and seen His Cosmic Form. He declared that wherever there is Sri Krishna, the Yogeswara, the Lord of the Yoga and Arjuna, the Dhanurdhara, the wielder of the bow, success, wealth and eternal good will accrue.
Live as the Gita Teaches You to Live
Sri Krishna has laid down in very clear terms the Rules of the Game of Life in the following three verses of this Chapter. The final response of Arjuna in Verse 18.73 to Sri Krishna’s advice is equally a pole-star for all of us to follow. It is for us to take advantage of the light or continue to fumble about in darkness.
tameva sharanam gaccha sarvabhaavena bhaarata
tatprsaadaatparaam shaantim sthaanam praapsyasi shaashwatam // 18.62 //
Take refuge in Him alone with all your soul, O Bharata. By His grace you will gain Supreme Peace and the Everlasting abode.
manmanaa bhava madbhakto madyaajee maam namaskuru
maamevai'shyasi satyam te pratijaane priyo'si me // 18.65 //
Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship to Me, bow down to Me, you shall even come to Me ; truly this is my pledge to you, for you are dear to Me.
sarva dharmaan parityajya maamekam sharanam vraja
aham twaa sarvapaapebhyo mokshayishyaami maa shuchah // 18.66 //
Abandoning all Dharmas (of the body, mind and intellect), take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate you from all sins, do not grieve.
Points to Ponder
1. What is the difference between Sannyasa and Tyaga ?
2. What are the five factors in the accomplishment of an action?
3. What are the essential factors for realising the Self?
4. Write short notes on:
•Knower, Known and Knowledge
•Three kinds of Jnaanam, Karma, Doer, Buddhi, Dhriti, Sukha
•Fourfold classification of society