BHAGAVAD GEETA: 55 - Swami Advayanandaji.
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BHAGAVAD GEETA
Chapter - 2
Discourse – 2 (72 Slogas)
“Yoga of the SUPREME SELF”
Sri Veda Vyasaji
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Monday 05, Feb 2024 06:30.
2.7 ARJUNA’S SWADHARMA CLARIFIED
( Slogas : 31-38, 8 No.)
Post - 55.
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Slogam - 33: Not Fighting – the Sin of Omission
1
Atha chet tvam imam dharmyam = But if you, in this righteous
2
samgraamam na karishyasi; = warfare, do not engage yourself,
3
tatah swadharmam keertim cha = then, your own duty as well as fame,
4
hitvaa paapam avaapsyasi. = having abandoned, you shall incur sin.
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One would think that this verse was hardly necessary in the case of a revived Arjuna
who has been well-tutored by his Master. But the words of the Lord are for all humanity and
somebody would need this advice. For completeness it is necessary to have it.
1-2
Atha:
The word ‘but’ ushers in an alternative course of action. Here is given
another facet of Swadharma – where the sin lies in not doing what one should be doing; the
sin of omission.
Imam:
“this”; this word is more significant than it would usually be. This war was
particularly looked forward to by Arjuna. He was second only to Sri Krishna in blowing the
conch to start the battle on the Pandavas’ side. It was he that took the initiative to be placed
in the middle of the battlefield to survey what had to be done. That same Arjuna wanted to
desert ‘this’ war – how absurd of him!
3-4
More than about losing fame – which is no sin – this line is about shirking one’s
duty. When a duty is omitted, it is invariably because of cowardice. The verse puts it down
to “abandonment of duty”. That is the primary sin. As a secondary concern, not as a sin, and
in the case of Arjuna especially, it would reflect poorly on his reputation as the Number 1
archer of the nation. The fame of Arjuna is an inspiration to the whole community and so it
belongs to the community, not to the individual. Arjuna is expected to guard his fame for
the community’s sake, not for any selfish reason.
The sin incurred is due to his call of duty to the community which pins its faith in him
to fight. To retreat would be unpardonable. It would mean desertion of duty.
LOSS OF REPUTATION:
We now have three verses on the loss of Arjuna’s reputation should he refuse to
fight. Each slogam presents the view of different categories of people as they would see him.
All three slogas speak of the deadly loss of reputation that Arjuna will be faced with
if he does not fulfill his duty now. Sri Krishna is aware of this and does not want to see His
friend-turned-disciple ruined in this manner. He goes all out to rescue Arjuna from such a
fate and disgrace.
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Next
Slogam - 34: i) Dishonour From People
Continued
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