Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 66:
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Responsibilities, Obligations, Thoughts, And Deeds That Are Appropriate For Us Is What The Word Dharma Means
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: || 18.66||
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ|| 18.66||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 66:
Give up all other kinds of dharmas and simply submit to Me. Do not be afraid; I will set you free from all sinful reactions.
Explanation
All along, Shree Krishna had been urging Arjuna to simultaneously devote his mind to him and use his body to carry out his practical responsibilities as a warrior. Therefore, he wished for Arjuna to continue living according to his Kshatriya dharma while also practicing devotion. This is the karma yoga principle. In contrast, Shree Krishna now says that even material dharma does not need to be followed.
Arjuna can forego all obligations to the world and merely submit to God. This is the karma sanyas principle. One could wonder if giving up all of our worldly dharmas will cause us to commit sin. Arjuna is told by Shree Krishna not to worry because he will free him from physical existence and forgive all of his misdeeds.
We must learn the meaning of the word dharma in order to fully appreciate Shree Krishna’s teaching. It derives from the root word dhi, which signifies “responsibilities, obligations, thoughts, and deeds that are appropriate for us,” Actually; there are two different types of dharmas: spiritual and material.
These two forms of dharma are founded on two differing conceptions of the “self.” Our dharma is established in line with our bodily designations, obligations, duties, and rules when we identify as the body. Thus, serving one’s physical parents and carrying out one’s civic duties are all examples of practicing one’s corporeal dharma. Also known as apara dharma or material dharma, this is. The dharma of a Brahmin, Kshatriya, etc. is included in this. We do not, however, have any material distinctions of varna (social class) and Ashramas when we identify as the soul (status in life). God is the soul’s mother, father, friend, beloved, and last resting place. As a result, serving God in loving devotion is our one and only dharma. Also known as para dharma or spiritual dharma, this is.
Due to a breach of responsibility, leaving the material dharma is regarded as a sin. However, it is not sinful to abandon material dharma and seek refuge in spiritual dharma. According to this verse, those who do not submit to God have five debts: those to the heavenly gods, the sages, the ancestors, other people, and other living things. Several methods are included in the varnashrama system for freeing ourselves from these five different types of debts.
But when we give ourselves over to God, we are instantly freed from all of these obligations, just as watering a tree’s roots waters all of its branches, twigs, leaves, blossoms, and fruit. Similar to this, when we meet our obligation to God, we also immediately fulfil our obligation to everyone else. Therefore, if we are firmly rooted in spiritual dharma, giving up material dharma is not sinful. In actuality, complete and total involvement in spiritual dharma is the ultimate aim.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna offered Arjuna teachings that were more complex in order. At first, he told Arjuna to follow his material dharma as a warrior, or karm (verse 2.31). However, material dharma leads to the celestial abodes rather than God realization; as soon as one’s pious qualities run out, one must return. As a result, Shree Krishna then gave Arjuna the command to practice karma yoga, or to follow his physical dharma with the body and his spiritual dharma with the mind.
He instructed Arjuna to use his body to fight the battle and his mind to think of God (verse 8.7). The majority of the Bhagavad Gita is devoted to this karma yoga lesson. Finally, Shree Krishna advises Arjuna to accept karma sanyasa—that is, to give up all material dharma and adhere only to spiritual dharma, which is love for God—and to practice it. So instead of fighting because it is his job as a warrior, he should do it because God commands him to.
Verse & what we can learn
This shloka is supposed to be the one “take home message” for any learner who feels confused or overwhelmed by the teaching because it contains the essence of the entire Gita. The shloka is divided into four sections. The seeker is told to forgo all of their responsibilities in the first section.
Since we shouldn’t take it literally, let’s examine its deeper meaning. Shri Krishna is requesting that the seeker cease debating which behaviours they should continue, which behaviours they should discontinue, and which behaviours they should start. They should just put an end to their concern over these issues.
So what is the seeker supposed to do now? Take refuge in Ishvara alone, says the second section of the shloka, to find the solution. Everything we do—including our words, deeds, and emotions—should be devoted to Ishvara. By doing this, we will unavoidably find the solutions to our queries about what to do and what not to do. We will naturally cease eating food that is inappropriate if we first offer it to Ishvara before we eat. We won’t engage in any immoral or criminal behaviour if we offer Ishvara all of our acts. Everything will just work itself out.”
What happens when you seek refuge in Ishvara? The seeker will be freed from all of their paapa, or sins, according to the shloka’s third section. In this context, the term “sins” refers to the ego-driven behaviours that have bound us. We shall never worry or be anxious about the past or the future if we carry out all deeds in service to Ishvara and accept any success or loss as a gift from Ishvara. We shall simply keep spending all of our time serving Ishvara. In the end, when our mind is freed from all selfishness, the fourth portion of the shloka—complete freedom from sorrow—will become a reality for us.
“Do not grieve,” Shri Krishna commands at the conclusion of this shloka. The Gita’s central message is said to be finished because it was started with the intention of eradicating Arjuna’s suffering—his ignorance of his true nature as the self.
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 tells to whom this instruction should not be given.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…