Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 31:
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Confusion Will Arise If We Lose Sight Of Our Dharma And Allow Egoism And Attachment To Rule Us
यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च |
अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धि: सा पार्थ राजसी || 18.31||
yayā dharmam adharmaṁ cha kāryaṁ chākāryam eva cha
ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī|| 18.31||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 31:
When the intellect cannot distinguish between morally correct and bad behaviour, O Parth, it is said that the intellect is operating in the mode of passion.
Explanation
Personal attachments cause the rjasic intellect to become confused. It can perceive clearly at times, but when self-interest enters the picture, it becomes clouded and confused. The rjasic intellect is unable to determine the best course of action because it is clouded by attachments and aversions, likes and dislikes. It becomes difficult to distinguish between the major and the unimportant, the long-lasting and the fleeting, and the useful and the unimportant.
Verse & what we can learn
According to Shri Krishna, the science of action, also known as karma yoga, needs to be diligently and carefully studied. We will be drowning in a sea of ignorance unless we discover what is our dharma, or what is our obligation to this world. Are we doing morally? Do they serve their own interests or do they serve others? Do they advance our liberation or do they further entangle us in the issues of this world? To completely understand all of this, we need to comprehend karma yoga, the science of action.
One who has not attained this knowledge will therefore never be certain of what constitutes dharma and what does not. As a result, they will never know whether to act or not. If we lose sight of our dharma and are influenced by egoism and attachment, confusion will set in. This uncertainty about his role as a warrior was caused by Arjuna’s attachment to his family, the Kauravas. To clear up this misunderstanding, Shri Krishna had to instruct him in the science of karma yoga. Consequently, we might conclude that our mind is rajasic, or tinged with selfishness, if it is unsure of whether to act or not.
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 shloka Shri Krishna explains about nature of ignorant intellect.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…