Attachment Suppresses Viveka

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Arjuna Vishada Yogam: Chapter 1: Verse 37 & 38

 यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतस: |

कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् || 37||

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभि: पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् |

कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन || 38||

yady apy ete na paśhyanti lobhopahata-chetasaḥ

kula-kṣhaya-kṛitaṁ doṣhaṁ mitra-drohe cha pātakam|| 37||

kathaṁ na jñeyam asmābhiḥ pāpād asmān nivartitum

kula-kṣhaya-kṛitaṁ doṣhaṁ prapaśhyadbhir janārdana || 38||

 Shloka Translation

BG – Ch. 1- Ver. 37 & 38: Greed has taken over their minds, and they see no harm in killing their relatives or betraying their friends. But, O Janardhana (Krishna), why should we, who can clearly recognize the wrongdoing in killing our relatives, not refrain from it?

Explanation

Arjuna was known as a fighter, but because of his moral character, he preferred to avoid conflict wherever possible. This aspect of his personality is clearly displayed in an event that happened at the end of the Mahabharat War. A Kshatriya is not supposed to decline an invitation to fight or gamble from a rival group. As a result of this responsibility, Arjuna was compelled to engage in combat after being challenged by Duryodhana’s party.

Arjuna speculated that the other party might not be aware of the consequences of such a challenge in this context. Arjuna, however, was unable to accept the challenge since he could see the negative effects.

When an obligation has a positive outcome, it is binding; nevertheless, when it has a negative outcome, no one can be bound. Arjuna made the decision not to engage in combat after weighing all of these advantages and disadvantages.

 Reflection

Arjuna immediately launched into a second argument, listing the shortcomings of the enemy army. He wanted to emphasize how much better his moral Judgement was than the opposing army’s.   Arjuna also reflects the human propensity to criticize others when the critic is actually the pointer.

Let’s examine the “lobha,” or need to acquire anything, which is a power similar to moha. Our viveka, or discriminating ability, tends to be suppressed as our lobha, or affection, for an item, person, circumstance, or scenario increases. One thing that both Moha and Lobha appear to produce is joy. The pleasure one experiences, however, is momentary and transient in both situations. Furthermore, because of a sense of loss over losing what they have acquired through lobha or moha, people have a tendency to hold on to what they have.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the next verses, we will see Arjuna pointing out the so-called negative consequences of war and killing.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…