“Bound by your own duty born of your nature, O Kaunteya, you will helplessly perform what you wish not to do, due to delusion.”
Key Teaching: Duty born of nature compels action, despite delusion.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Karma Yoga.
Description:
Krishna states that Arjuna, bound by his Kshatriya duty, will helplessly perform actions he wishes to avoid, due to delusion. This verse, continuing 18.59, addresses Arjuna’s inquiry (2.9, 13.1, 18.1). The themes of guidance, as Krishna emphasizes duty, dharma, as he reinforces Arjuna’s role, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, as he discusses action, and Karma Yoga, as he underscores duty, are central.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s hesitation (1.28–46) is countered by Krishna’s insistence on duty (2.31). This teaching aligns with Karma Yoga (3.35) and Jnana Yoga (14.8), emphasizing nature’s compulsion. Krishna builds on teachings about svadharma (18.47), highlighting inevitability.
Philosophically, this verse reinforces duty’s inevitability, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on nature (3.35). Arjuna’s path is clarified by accepting his role despite delusion. The themes of Moksha Sannyasa Yoga and Karma Yoga underscore the Gita’s focus on inevitable duty for liberation.
Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s words objectively, emphasizing their forceful clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s compulsion, where duty overrides delusion. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers to perform duties with divine acceptance, aligning with liberation.
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