The essence of the Bhagavad Gita is Swadharma. Swadharma is the scientific inquiry into realizing the true nature of the self. The teachings of the Gita are primarily aimed at inspiring Arjuna to follow his Swadharma. Arjuna was in despair, facing a dilemma about the right course of action in the midst of war. His vulnerable state of inner conflict struggled between the duality of right and wrong or choosing inaction over action. He was essentially seeking an easy way out rather than initiating a great war that would leave traumatic memories for thousands.
Arjuna believed that if he chose sannyasa—renouncing his rights, dreams, ideas, and goals—life would be easier within the comfort of a safe and peaceful existence. This would spare him from causing pain, distress, anger, and frustration to his family and relatives.
His enemies, who were content with the status quo, had no desire to change the course of time. They feared losing the privileges and entitlements granted to them by the prevailing system.
However, Krishna had a different plan—that’s why he came down to Earth. The Yuga had to change. The old norms, mindsets, rigidity, repetitive patterns, stubbornness, and entitlement—everything that held back new creation—had to be broken to allow fresh expression.
The old and mighty patrons, Bhishma and Drona, were the strongest pillars of stagnant customs, authority, entitlement, and rigid, hollow pride—pride that valued a woman's death over preserving the honor of a name. One was bound by his oath, and the other was consumed by the grave insult of his friend until he sought revenge by subjugating him through Arjuna.
Time was about to change, and so was Arjuna, who was born different from his family. Despite being in the period of Brahmacharya (celibacy), he honored Ulupi’s wish for union—a complete shift from his grandsire’s rigid beliefs. But this was the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where time and circumstance demanded the destruction of the old mansion of inheritance—a place where Arjuna had once felt safe and comfortable throughout his life.
Bhakti provides love and comfort in the harshest of situations, Gyan holds the reins and guides life toward its purpose, and Karma is the actual weapon that brings about permanent change. Karma is performed in the material world within defined boundaries and rules. Gyan can only show the path; it is up to the individual to take action and fulfill their purpose.
The Gita does not speak of ordinary materialistic tasks performed for survival. It speaks of Swadharma—one’s innate nature, natural inclination, spontaneous habits, and attitude. It was Arjuna’s Swadharma that led him to accept Ulupi’s advances; otherwise, he would have followed inherited traditions. Not everyone is blessed with the ability to recognize their Swadharma.
Swadharma does not reconcile with societal norms or environmental expectations. Either one follows Swadharma, or one follows the mainline Dharma. Choosing Swadharma leads to a path deviated from the right, where there is no queue, not even a road to follow. Yet, whether one turns left or right, everyone remains within the boundary of Dharma.
An out-of-the-box approach, courage, patience, and humility provide the strength to reject comfort, greed, shortcuts, lies, and manipulation while remaining steadfast in Swadharma. Unnecessary comparisons with the widespread, easy, and ordinary lives of laymen have no relevance to the concept of Swadharma. Different inclinations, levels of understanding, awakening, and recognition of innate desires shape a unique purpose for each individual. A higher state of consciousness transcends ego and illusions, allowing one to perceive reality with clarity and unity. It is the awakening of the soul to its true nature, free from conditioning and limitations.
Annamaya life represents a consumerist society that merely consumes resources, with more than 80% of the population belonging to this domain. Their Dharma is to contribute to society through dana (charity), philanthropic work, and acts of generosity.
However, if someone realizes the purpose of life yet continues the same repetitive job out of fear and attachment, failure will inevitably follow. Inner conflict divides effort, scattering energy in all directions, making it impossible to achieve any goal.
Thus, for those awakened to the purpose of life or who have realized their Swadharma according to Gita, there is no escape—they must fight their battle with full strength.
An elaborate discussion on Bhakti, Gyan, and Karma is presented in The Power of Three: Unlocking Your Path to Self-Mastery from a completely new and realistic perspective. Click the link to read a free copy.
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