The “Karma Siddhanta” of Sri Krishna, delivered to Arjuna on the battlefield of the Mahabharata, offers an inquisitive view of one’s duty amidst the chaos of the world around us.
For instance, just before the onset of war, Arjuna questions the rightfulness of fighting, mindful of the misery and carnage it would bring. In response, Sri Krishna articulates the principles of action: that it is a just cause, and as a warrior, Arjuna must not waver from his obligations, regardless of the consequences. Krishna ultimately persuades Arjuna to act according to his dharma — and the result was death and destruction, though it could be said that Arjuna upheld the duty he was bound to. But at what cost? (I leave it to your discretion to decide.)
Yet the lesson does not end with Krishna’s message alone. Though seemingly rightful, it should not overshadow Arjuna’s doubt, which, in retrospect, appears even more compelling and resonates deeply — both after the carnage of Kurukshetra and in contemporary times.
If we see through Krishna’s lens, every person performing their duty could justify any act — claiming it aligns with their notion of dharma, regardless of the suffering it inflicts on others. But if we heed Arjuna’s hesitation, it suggests that consequences ought to be the foremost concern when performing one’s duty.
This dilemma is best reflected in the case of J. Robert Oppenheimer, under whom America developed the ultimate weapon of mass destruction through the Trinity Test on July 16, 1945. His haunting words — “I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds” — and the subsequent bombing of Japan on August 6, 1945, show how neglecting consequences in pursuit of ‘duty’ can lead to unimaginable devastation.
This stands as a stark example of Krishna’s exhortation to act without attachment to outcomes — and the troubled reservations of Arjuna, whose moral dilemma, in hindsight, appears profoundly justified.
Note:-
The view expressed above are entirely personal and the reader may agree and disagree with the writer's view.
No comments:
Post a Comment