(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Deviation From Svadharma Leads to Spiritual and Material Downfall
भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथा: |
येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम् || 2.35||
bhayād raṇād uparataṁ mansyante tvāṁ mahā-rathāḥ
yeṣhāṁ cha tvaṁ bahu-mato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam|| 2.35||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 2- Ver. 35:
Great fighters will believe you dropped out of the fight because you were afraid. They will now look down on you, despite how highly they formerly valued you.
Explanation
In the same tone as the preceding stanza, Krishna continues. He detects a reaction in Arjuna, who places high importance on other people’s opinions, particularly those of fellow fighters.
Most people have the flaw of being swayed by others’ opinions. They are more concerned with what others think of them than with who they are in reality. They either have a superiority or inferiority complex. They are so preoccupied with other people’s opinions that they neglect their growth. All of this leads to a lot of mental stress.
Even the fiercest of the Kauravas warriors, such as Bheeshma, Dronacharya, and Karna, regarded Arjuna as a mighty fighter and a worthy opponent. He’d made a name for himself by defeating a slew of celestial gods. Even Lord Shiva, who had disguised himself as a hunter, had been defeated by him.
Lord Shiva had blessed him with a heavenly weapon called Pashupatastra for his bravery and expertise. Dronacharya, his archery master, had also bestowed his blessings in the shape of a magical weapon on him. If Arjun were to depart from the battlefield just before the combat, these valiant soldiers would have no idea that his love for his relatives had driven him to escape. They’d call him a coward and presume he’d stayed out of the conflict because he was afraid of their might.
Arjuna’s reputation was everything to him as a great warrior. As a result, Shri Krishna counselled Arjuna to remember his svadharma, his duty, and battle, or else his reputation as a great warrior would be tarnished.
Verse & What we can learn
When one deviates from the path of Svadharma not only does one fall at spiritual level but one deteriorates even in the material plane also.
Instead of falling prey to emotional ups and downs if one always remains conscious and sticks to what he has to do in that moment and situation according to the path of dharma it uplifts him both materially and spiritually.
Meditation is one thing that helps in achieving a balanced state of mind and remaining focused. There are many types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practising daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next verse, Lord Shri Krishna tells Arjuna that he has to face humiliation pain if he does not go ahead with the war.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…