Oneself

During the Great War between the Kurus' (sons of Dhrtarastra) side against the Pandava's (or Pandawa, sons of Pandhu, brother of Dhrtarastra) side, as was told in the epic Mahabharata Story, Arjuna (the third oldest of the Pandava), who saw all his friends and relatives standing with or against him (for it was a "civil" war) on the battlefield, told Krishna (or Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead) he no longer wished to fight in the battle for his compassion.

Arjuna reasoned out that he did not desire victory nor royal happiness, he would rather live as a beggar than as a royal if being a royal meant having to slay his kinsmen. He added that they who had spiritual understanding would not kill.

Krishna explained Arjuna that those who are wise would not grieve. For each one is body and soul. While the body is an object of time, the soul is not. The soul (Jiva) is eternal. The ignorant grieve because they do not even know about the existence of the soul. They consider the bodies to be their mother, father, brother, or relative. And when the soul leaves the body, they consider their mother, father, brother or relative to be dead. One that had been enlightened understands that none would be killed and none would kill, since the soul is immortal.

Further Krishna explained that senses were related to the bodily perceptions that causes misery. When one had learned to tolerate he would be closer to attain Enlightenment. And as Aruba had been conscious of the Truth, he should embrace the nature of the self.

Your duty as a ksatriya (or satria) and there would be no better thing than accomplishing your responsibilities.

Adaptation from "Bhagavad Gita"








"What's so civil about war anyway?" - Guns 'N Roses.