कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || 47 ||
"You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work.
You should never engage in action for the sake of reward,
nor should you long for inaction."
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us ways of living. Scripture is very practical. You will find answers for everything. Whenever I struggle for something, I refer to it. Recently I encountered some questions related to dilemma and dilemma resolution.
Arjuna was on the brink of a great battle, one that would decide the fate of his kingdom and his people. But as he looked out at the opposing army, he saw many of his own friends and family members among the ranks of his enemies. Overwhelmed with emotion, Arjuna turned to his charioteer, Lord Krishna, and confided in him his dilemma.
"How can I fight against my own kin, my own people?" Arjuna asked Krishna. "It is better to renounce this fight and live in peace."
Krishna, who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu, knew that Arjuna's dilemma was a difficult one. But he also knew that Arjuna had a duty to uphold as a warrior and as a prince.
"Arjuna, you are thinking about this battle in the wrong way," Krishna said. "You are not fighting against your own people, you are fighting for righteousness and justice. You have a duty to protect your people and your kingdom, and that duty requires you to fight."
Krishna went on to explain to Arjuna the principles of dharma, or righteousness, and how it was his duty as a warrior and a prince to uphold these principles. He reminded Arjuna that the soul was eternal and that death was simply a transition to another state of being.
"Know that which pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one is able to destroy the imperishable soul." Krishna said.
Arjuna listened to Krishna's words and his mind was cleared of all doubts. He picked up his bow and arrow and prepared to fight. With Krishna by his side, he entered the battle with courage and conviction. In the end, he emerged victorious, and his people were saved from the threat of invasion.
The story of Arjuna and Krishna's conversation is told in the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most important texts of Hinduism. It is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of the most difficult dilemmas, there is always a way to find a resolution. By turning to wise and knowledgeable people and by understanding and upholding our duties, we can overcome any obstacle that life presents us.
"Bhagavad Gita provides the great framework for resolving dilemmas based on the principles of dharma, or righteous duty. The process can be broken down into several steps"
Identify the dilemma: The first step in resolving a dilemma is to clearly identify the problem or issue at hand. In the case of Arjuna, he was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to fight in a battle against his own people.
Seek guidance: The second step is to seek guidance from a wise and knowledgeable person. In Arjuna's case, he turned to Krishna, who was an incarnation of the god Vishnu.
Seek knowledge: The wise person will provide knowledge about the nature of reality and the principles of dharma (your personal value system) that should guide one's actions. In Arjuna's case, Krishna taught him about the eternal nature of the soul, the importance of upholding dharma, and the concept of detachment from the fruits of one's actions. The knowledge can be from your mentor, coach, any books you read or even your and your parents and elder’s past experiences.
Choose a course of action: After receiving guidance and knowledge, the individual should choose a course of action that aligns with dharma and upholds their duty. In Arjuna's case, he chose to fight in the battle as a duty to protect his people and uphold dharma.
Take action with detachment: The final step is to take action with a sense of detachment from the fruits of one's actions. This means that the individual should focus on performing their duty and taking action that aligns with dharma, without being attached to the outcomes or results of their actions.
Through this process of seeking guidance and knowledge, choosing a course of action, and taking action with detachment, an individual can resolve a dilemma in a way that upholds their duty and aligns with the principles of dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that by following this process, we can find peace and fulfillment in our lives, even in the face of difficult dilemmas.
In resolving a dilemma, it is important to consider not just one's own self-interest, but also the interests of others and the greater good. This requires an understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and a recognition of our shared responsibility to uphold dharma and promote the welfare of all beings.
The Gita also teaches that dharma is not a fixed set of rules or principles, but is rather a dynamic and evolving concept that must be constantly re-evaluated in light of changing circumstances. This means that in resolving a dilemma, one must be flexible and adaptable, and willing to adjust their understanding of dharma as new information and perspectives emerge.
Ultimately, the Gita teaches that by following one's duty and upholding dharma, we can live a life of purpose and fulfillment, and contribute to the well-being of the world around us. Through this framework of ethical decision-making, we can navigate even the most difficult dilemmas with clarity and confidence, and find a path forward that is aligned with our deepest values and aspirations.
"However we should think about Karma before taking any action. Karma, which means "action" or "deed." It is often described as a wheel or cycle of cause and effect. Every action we take, whether good or bad, sets off a chain reaction that will eventually come back to us."
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