The body dies; the soul does not
Introduction:
‘Mahabharata’, the oldest and the biggest epic of the world is all about a great war of 18 days’ duration fought between Pandavas and Kauravas, two separate groups of sons of two brother ‘Pandu’ and ‘Dhritarastra’ respectively. The controversy arose due to the refusal of the Kauravas to give even a needle-top-sized land for the Pandavas to live in through the half of everything was legitimate. The Pandavas, finding no way out, waged a war against the Kauravas which uprooted their rival brothers altogether. So, truth and virtues won against falsehood and vice and the rule of law was established.
Kauravas of Mahabharata were epitomes of injustice and vie and Pandavas, the opposite. In the battle for their right to property, Pandavas were faced with a curious choice between killing their brothers for kingdom and conceding their fundamental rights. Arjuna, the commander of the Pandavas Army, decided against fighting his brothers and killing them along with their kith and kin which were their own, also. A confused Arjuna, confronted with such a precarious situation, had to abandon his bows and arrows and all arms and ammunitions he was equipped with.
Duties of a King:
At this critical juncture, Lord Krishna, his charioteer and mentor had to come forward and advise that in the impending religious war, justice being the main factor of suppression and refusal, war being the only alternative and it had to be waged to faster peace, harmony, religion and rights in this world. Lord Krishna in the rebuttal of Arjuna’s concerns expressed surprise at the non-kingly and unbecoming attitude of Arjuna. A king is not a beggar or an emotional fool; he is a fighter. Compassion is war field or surrender to the enemy is slavish and cowardice. Withdrawal from the war field would neither earn his praise or fame. Nor would a safe passage to heaven ensue.
A king cannot climb heaven with an aesthetic life and temperament; rather he will subject his subjects to untold misery and hardship. Without being convinced with the advice of Krishna, Arjuna added that the fight would be not against his brothers alone, but he would be required to kill Dronacharya, his mentor, and venerable personalities like Bhishma among others. Lord Krishna smiled at the unnecessary and untimely concern which a king should not be endowed with. Learned men know the difference between the body and the soul and, hence they stay unconcerned with the birth or death of their near and dear ones, their seniors and elders, because they know that the soul does not perish, though the body does.
War and peace:
Birth and death spring no surprise for the wise men as the soul changes the body remaining fully intact as it transcends death. Acts and facts of a life lived by the soul determine which body it will occupy and for how long. Somebody killing somebody and the death of the victor is all myths. Only the body suffers from extinction. The change of soul can be compared with a change of dress. The soul travels to numerous human bodies without being affected by any means. An animal is born to die, so also a human being who is an animal. So, Arjuna should have no scope of remorse in case of a killing by him of his elders, brother and relatives.
War is a princely religion and no duty of a king is more sacrosanct or blissful than war. On the other hand, no sin is graver for a king than fleeing from the war field without fighting till victory or defeat, killing or being killed. War is a flood gate to heaven which only kings and warriors have the right to travel in. Salvation for a king comes through war only.
Truth or the abyss:
For Arjuna, the choice was imperative; truth or the abyss. Impressed and energized by Lord Krishna’s advice, Arjuna lifted his weaponries and fought the battle. The Pandavas killed opponents who were no other than their great grandfather, the mentor, their brothers and friends and relatives. The holy battle was won in the end and Pandavas who fought it established the rule of law and peace and bliss prevailed at Hastinapur Kingdom.
The quintessence of the Holy Bhagavat Gita is better practiced than heard or red. The sermons of Lord Krishna to Arjuna are universal in nature and true-to-life in character. Human life has two contrasting situations. One such situation is hard to handle and another is smooth and easy, calling for no effort or perseverance. Whereas, austerity is absolute peace, comfort in discomfiture personified. The wise men and the saints prefer the former to the latter and enjoy the sublime and serene music of lasting peace.
The heaven or the earth:
If somebody is asked to choose between the heaven and the earth, he is surely going to opt for the former. The why for of his choice creates around the heavenly bliss, co-existence with fairies, Urbasi and Menaka, tow beautiful never aging girls, the sweet fragrance of the Parijat plant and the full and square enjoyment available there. The actual position is that a man falling prey to the niceties of life and in perfect enjoyment love to live in the manner he would be continuing with which gives him a rebirth to continue his life where he ended. Man’s present desire to live in luxury never carries him beyond his mundane life and he is subjected to repeated rebirths and delusions.
To dispel the doubts and suspicions of Arjuna on the fruit or outcome of austerity as palatable and achievement, Lord Krishna states that work should be worshiped without longing for a befitting outcome which breeds the trouble of rebirth for result to reap. Patience being the key to success, perseverance should continue without hoping for anything in return. One should not pray for achieving a singular object or retaining that received earlier safety. Only in such a situation, the harmonious realization of the Almighty is possible and rebirth can be rear-guarded.
Piecemeal approach:
Concentration on Almighty and resigning oneself totally to him will make the life leave the soul for re-union with Him. Hundreds of mythologies and religious scripts including Vedas and Upanishads drive you to one direction in peace meals i.e. God, but interaction with God is possible by mingling with Him in your heart of hearts without any wish or desire, whatsoever. Only then, you can become one with Him and get freed from birth. As small ponds, well, etc. does not serve the purpose of a sea or a river where all actions and functions can be done together. Similarly piecemeal approach leaves you somewhere incomplete.
In a bid to clarify on the above for the love of God with a lack of desire, Lord Krishna further advises that actions determine the future of mankind. Lying lazy and waiting under a tree the fruit to fall is as unpractical as aspiring-God without performing the task you have been assigned with. ‘“Karmanye vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshu Kadachan” – Gita'. Duty, no desire is the goal of your life. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna not to derelict in his duties simply because it is not result-oriented or it does not satisfy your selfish ends. The heart and mind must be pure and free. Never tries to differentiate between happiness and sorrow as both are two sides of the same coin, i.e. head or tail. Equating and balancing both in your heart and mind is called ‘yoga’.
Conclusion:
The aspiring people are regarded as misers by God in view of the fact, despite the hard-earned money giving him earthly pleasures, the real pleasure of mingling with God distances him. He is so preoccupied with enjoyment. That he rarely leaves some of his treasures owned. So, he is labeled as a miser. Virtuous deeds put you at heaven and evil in hell. Neither heaven should be the desire, nor the hell the end. Shunning both desires carry you to salvation. Yoga is the medium to accomplish the assigned task as a stepping-stone to salvation. Worship God for the sake of worship and not with any other motive.
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