Geetaa-On Dharm

As everyone knows that Krishn advised Arjun to fight in the battlefield when he had put his bow and refused to fight. And only after he had asked Him many questions and clarifications for his predicament, he got up to fight. Krishn clarified several points to Arjun. The main question or problem for Arjun was how to fight against his elders, uncles, cousins, friends etc? How could he kill his own people just for a kingdom and of what use it could be after getting it?

In this connection and context Krishn said to Arjun - "In my humble opinion many of these discussions pertain to that particular context. When Arjun had problems to fight this was based on certain Dharm (way of life or rules of life). All Krishn wanted to convey was to assure him that he need not mind about such rules and regulations and customs. He could just forget about all of them and surrender unto Him. He assured that Arjun could take His word that He would save him from all such sins. It has become customary, with passage of time to quote this Shlok and apply to all circumstances. Krishn never said that he should forget about Sandhyaa Vandan or daily duties etc but just think of me and surrender.

We also read in Mahaabhaarat that Balaraam, Krishn's elder brother did not approve of this Bhaarat War and left the place under the guise of going for a pilgrimage. He returned only in the end to see his pupil Duryodhan being killed by Bheem (by a tip given by Krishn and which he did never approved of).

As regards advice to a public at large Krishna got it out of the mouth of Bheeshm when he encouraged him to advise Yudhishthir. These directions or instructions were given for the whole world and can be applied to our lives but not the Geetaa Upadesh in toto as it was for a specific purpose. Finally we have so many examples in Mahaabhaarat of how it is not easy to interpret Dharm and take a clear cut decision. One classical example is when Duryodhan brought Draupadee to the court and asked her to be undressed, she appeals to Bheeshm asking him where was Dharm? How he could allow this in front of his eyes. Bheeshm had to keep mum as the Dharm was not clear. Yudhishthir agreed to bet his wife in a game which he lost and thereby Duryodhan had all rights to take Draupadee. Many more instances are there.