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"Follow the path shown by me even if the whole world disregards it"

 

Week 11, chapter 3 shlokas 22-35

Those who are equipped with the knowledge and are capable should not refrain from following the path of dharma (and protect the dharma if required), even if they are already blessed with the joy of the spirit and are not slaves of their senses. for the commoners always watch them and follow the path laid by them. That is why it becomes more important that the path of karmas should not be given up by those who are capable and influential.

Karmacharan (performing the righteous duties) purifies the attention, and this purity of attention helps in attaining yoga. Krishna says that-- “perform the karmas as an offering given to me…but at the same time keep the attention on the spirit”. And this is how, O Arjuna you perform your duty as a warrior by accepting this war for in this war lies your glory and the protection of dharma.

Krishna mentions that those who are proud of their bodies, remain indulgent in the pleasure of their senses, and ignore the path shown by Him…will be driven towards miseries and their ignorance is like a poisonous snake that will bite them and destroy them. Like this, Krishna elaborates what ignorance and indulgence can do to an individual, and as a seeker, one should refrain from going towards such a path even if it seems to give pleasures and makes one happy. He, again and again, insists on following the righteous path no matter how difficult it seems. One might even have to give up their life following the path of righteousness…even such death is glorified in both the worlds. Krishna even suggests that one may stay away from people who are indulgent and encourage the seeker to go towards adarma. And in this way, divine warns and suggests the seeker to follow the path shown by Him even if the whole world disregards it.

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