Arjuna, the greatest warrior ever born, is on the battlefield. Next to him is his charioteer, Lord Krishna. As he sees the field of his enemies, he recognizes many of them. They are his cousins the Kauravas, his teachers, his friends, and those whom he has called family. Seeing that he may have to fight and even kill them, he loses the will to fight.
“I will not fight,” says Arjuna, and lays down his bow and arrow, dejected and unsure of what to do.
Lord Krishna then explains to him the concept of Sva (self) Dharma (duty)—one’s own duty. Lord Krishna says to Arjuna:
Everyone is born into this universe to act. Our actions and our role come from our past lives' actions, or our karma. This is the law of the universe which cannot be avoided, ignored, or stopped. All action is inevitable and the universe must go on. In each life, we are given the chance to do our duty, to do our dharma.
We must commit to who we are, the role we are given, and give our absolute best to it without worrying about the consequences or the rewards. Focusing ourselves on our duty alone, we must act. Knowing that this is our divine responsibility entrusted to us by God and the universe, we must act.
Arjuna is a warrior, whose moral duty is to fight in war for a right, just cause and win. He cannot sit by and abandon his duty, nor become too concerned with the rewards that may be due to him. His duty is to act, to fight, to be the warrior he is meant to be. Inspired, Arjuna lifts his bow and arrow and vows to do his duty.
We must at all times see the task, the duty, and the responsibility in front of us. What are we commanded and asked to do by the universe? As parents, at work, as colleagues, and as good citizens, we have moral duties assigned to us.
Whenever in doubt, let us do our duties to our fullest abilities. When we are confused or lost, let us commit to doing the task in front of us to the best of our capabilities. Even if we find ourselves in a role or situation not to our liking, we must realize that the path ahead lies in doing our duty to our utmost best. From there alone a better future will emerge.
It is better to do one’s Sva Dharma than to chase after another person’s duty (Para Dharma), says Lord Krishna.
The path to success and salvation lies in doing our Sva Dharma or our own duty.
Let us go forth and do our duty.
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