“If, clinging to egoism, you think, ‘I will not fight,’ this resolve is vain; your nature will compel you.”
Key Teaching: Egodriven refusal to fight is futile; nature compels action.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Karma Yoga.
Description:
Krishna warns that if Arjuna, clinging to egoism, resolves not to fight, it is futile, as his Kshatriya nature will compel him. This verse, continuing 18.58, addresses Arjuna’s inquiry (2.9, 13.1, 18.1). The themes of guidance, as Krishna corrects egoism, dharma, as he reinforces Arjuna’s role, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, as he discusses action, and Karma Yoga, as he emphasizes duty, are central.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s reluctance (1.28–46) is countered by Krishna’s call to duty (2.31). This teaching aligns with Karma Yoga (3.35) and Jnana Yoga (14.7), emphasizing nature’s force. Krishna builds on teachings about svadharma (18.47), highlighting inevitability.
Philosophically, this verse underscores nature’s role in action, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on duty (3.35). Arjuna’s path is clarified by accepting his Kshatriya nature. The themes of Moksha Sannyasa Yoga and Karma Yoga underscore the Gita’s focus on inevitable duty.
Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s words objectively, emphasizing their corrective clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s inevitability, where nature drives duty. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers to perform duties with divine acceptance, aligning with liberation.
Discover more from Online Gita
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.