Place: Alet les Bains (France) - Association au Ciel Ouvert
Year: May 2016
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Satyanarayana Dasa
Bodily Attachment as the Real Cause
If Arjuna had run away from his duty as a soldier, he would have become instrumental in allowing unjust violence. Moreover, being a celebrity and a great hero he would have set a bad precedent for other soldiers. His opponents, who respected his bravery and chivalry, would have ridiculed him. They would have thought that Arjuna became fearful and ran away after seeing his opponents on the battlefield (which included great warriors like Bhisma and Drona), on the pretense of being compassionate toward them.
The real cause behind Arjuna’s confusion is his attachment to his physical body. The misidentification with the physical body is bringing a sense of fear and loss, manifesting as compassion. Krishna saw through this and advised Arjuna to not be bogged down by this ignorance.
Krishna is not preaching unjust violence in the name of religion. Unjust violence is deeply rooted in selfishness. Krishna teaches to rise above hatred and attachment, be equipoised in all situations, and do one’s duty, which happens to be fighting in Arjuna’s case. His advice is not specific to Arjuna only, but applicable to all human beings. He propounds action without hatred and attachment.
When you are in a dream state, the buddhi does not discriminate. It does not stop you from acting on which is forbidden. What you are not allowed to do when you are awake, you do in your dream happily. When you sleep and do it, your tension is gone. That is what buddhi is doing. Whereas jiva remains untouched by this state.
