(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
When Mind is Focused on Swadharma There is No Confusion
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि |
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते || 2.31||
swa-dharmam api chāvekṣhya na vikampitum arhasi
dharmyāddhi yuddhāch chhreyo ’nyat kṣhatriyasya na vidyate||2.31||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 2- Ver. 31:
Furthermore, you should not be upset when thinking about your responsibilities, for there is no greater honour and glory for a warrior than battling for justice.
Explanation
According to the Vedas, Swa-dharma is an individual’s responsibility. Para dharma, or spiritual obligations, and apara dharma, or material duties, are the two types of swa-dharmas, or specified duties for the individual. The mandated duty, if one considers oneself to be the soul, is to love and serve God with devotion. This is referred to as para dharma.
The Vedas also prescribe duties for individuals who consider themselves as the body, because the vast bulk of humanity lacks this spiritual perspective. These responsibilities are determined by one’s Ashram (life station) and varna (occupation). They are known as apara dharma or ordinary responsibilities. This distinction between spiritual and mat responsibilities is important.
Arjuna was a warrior by profession, and one of his responsibilities as a warrior was to battle for the defence of righteousness. This is what Shree Krishna refers to as swa-dharma, or bodily imposed duty. Krishna instructs Arjuna to carry out his responsibilities as a Kshatriya. A Kshatriya must maintain justice, protect the good, and ensure that righteousness triumphs. This is an unanticipated fight for Arjuna. He must show bravery, valour, and skill. Instead, Arjuna is preoccupied with unrelated topics and is overcome by emotion.
Determine your svadharma, or main interest, and devote your energies to it. You will fail and become irritated if you work in a field that is not a good fit for your personality. Your mission is to perform your svadharma duties with zeal and dedication. It is not your place to meddle in the grand scheme of things. When you start interfering with the whole, you won’t be able to complete your task. The decision to go to war had already been made. It was now up to Arjuna to lead the Pandava Army as Commander-in-Chief. He had no control over the outcome; therefore there was no point in sweating it out.
Verse & What we can learn
Indecisiveness occurs when the mind becomes agitated and the intellect is unable to keep the mind focused on the task at hand. You will then be unable to take appropriate action. When the mind is clear, you can determine what you should and should not do. You go about your job with grace and a smile on your face. You are successful.
In the journey of life most of the times we are faced with indecisiveness in a variety of situations the answer is simple follow swadharma. Leading disciplined life style helps us to exercise control over the situations and things to some extent and to keep the mind disciplined mindfulness mediation, heartfulness meditation, Buddhist meditation, there are many types of meditation you can follow any kind of meditation, the one that your heart is in and practice it regularly to reap meditation benefits.
In the next verse, Lord Shri Krishna elaborates to Arjuna more of his duties as a Kshatriya.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…