Relevance of Krishna’s Advice

In the great Indian epic of Mahabharata, when Arjuna is faced with a difficult choice between duty on one side and his elders, relatives and teachers (loved ones) on the other, he is beset by weakness born of doubt. His knees tremble, he breaks into a cold sweat and his bow falls from his hand. In such a condition of moral and physical weakness, Arjuna turns to his philosophical guide, Krishna and beseeches him for advice.

Krishna shakes Arjuna up by his opening sarcastic comment about the bout of weakness that had come over the brave warrior, Arjuna, at an hour of danger such as the one where the army of the righteous—the Pandavas—had been arrayed against the forces of evil—the Kauravas—at the epic battlefield of Kurukshetra.

The Kurukshetra symbolizes the human mind and the Pandavas and Kauravas symbolize the forces of ‘Good’ and ‘Evil.’ The battle between them symbolizes the ongoing battle that happens in our minds: should we be honest in our business dealings or should we use unethical shortcuts, should we be loyal in our relationships or should we give in to transient and immoral temptations, should we think positively or negatively—the list is endless.

Krishna’s Advice

Krishna shares wisdom about the soul’s existence with Arjuna at his hour of debilitating confusion. He tells him that it is only the body that perishes, the soul merely moves from one body to another just like one would change into new clothes after discarding old ones.

He advises Arjuna not to weep over things which are merely illusions but to remain steadfast in his duty or “dharma”—to fight ‘Evil’ so ‘Good’ may prevail—even if it meant having to wage war against one’s kith and kin.

Doing the right or good thing is not always easy or comfortable—especially in today’s times. If you want to follow Krishna’s advice and live your life on the principles dictated by ‘dharma,’ you will need to be strong, independent and clear about the path you want to follow in life.

Being weak or vulnerable to others’ views can tempt you away from the right path more easily than you might realize. Do your ‘dharma’ by fighting the negative and remaining positive in your outlook and karma.