Bhagavad Gita Shloka 31 Chapter 2

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि।

धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाछ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते।।2.31।।

Svadharmam api cha avekshya na vikampitum arhasi.
Dharmyad dhi yuddhāt shreyo anyat kshatriyasya na vidyate.

Meaning:

Considering your own duty, you should not waver. For a Kshatriya (warrior), there is no greater duty than a righteous war.

Context:

This verse is part of Lord Krishna's guidance to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna is hesitant to fight in the Kurukshetra war, feeling conflicted about battling his relatives and teachers. Krishna reminds him of his duty (svadharma) as a Kshatriya to protect dharma and fight for justice. He explains that participating in a righteous war is not only Arjuna's duty but also an honor, and to waver from it would be unworthy of his role as a warrior.

Explanation:

This verse highlights the concept of duty (svadharma) as central to one’s life and purpose. In the context of the Bhagavad Gita, duty is not merely a personal responsibility but a role assigned by one's nature, position in society, and adherence to dharma (righteousness). For Arjuna, as a Kshatriya, his duty is to protect justice, ensure order, and defend the weak, even if it means engaging in battle against loved ones.

Krishna explains that adhering to one's duty ensures harmony and upholds the larger moral order. Failing to perform one’s prescribed duty not only leads to personal guilt and regret but also disrupts the balance of society. The verse emphasizes that even difficult or uncomfortable duties must be carried out when aligned with dharma. By fulfilling one’s role selflessly and with conviction, a person contributes to the greater good and achieves inner growth. This adherence reflects discipline, integrity, and commitment to higher values.

In today’s context:

Imagine a man named Ramesh, who works as a bank manager. His brother, Suresh, has taken a large loan from the bank but has defaulted on repayment despite repeated reminders. The bank’s policies and legal framework require Ramesh to initiate legal action to recover the dues. Ramesh feels deeply conflicted because Suresh is his brother, and pursuing legal action might strain their relationship.

This situation parallels Arjuna’s dilemma in the Bhagavad Gita. Ramesh, like Arjuna, must focus on his duty (svadharma). As a bank manager, his duty is to protect the institution’s interests and ensure fairness. If he avoids action out of personal attachment, he risks compromising his professional integrity and the financial health of the bank.

By adhering to his duty, Ramesh fulfills his responsibility to the larger system of justice and accountability, even though it is personally painful. This example illustrates that performing one’s duty, aligned with dharma and the greater good, is essential, even when it involves difficult decisions or conflicts with personal relationships.

Highlights from traditional commentaries:

Sri Abhinavagupta

The commentary emphasizes the eternal nature of the self (ātman), unaffected by physical destruction. Performing one's duty aligns with this understanding of eternal truth. Therefore, Arjuna should not waver from his Kshatriya dharma of engaging in the righteous war.

Sri Madhusudan Saraswati

This detailed commentary focuses on Arjuna's confusion caused by attachments and misinterpretations of dharma. Madhusudan Saraswati explains that a Kshatriya's duty is to uphold righteousness, even through acts that might appear harsh, like fighting. He clarifies that performing one's role as prescribed by dharma, without personal bias, leads to spiritual and societal harmony.

Sri Purushottamji

Purushottamji elaborates that Arjuna should not hesitate to fulfill his duty as a warrior. A Kshatriya achieves both worldly success and spiritual liberation through righteous actions, such as protecting the kingdom and ensuring justice through warfare when necessary.

Sri Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya explains that Arjuna's duty as a Kshatriya is inherent to his nature. Engaging in a righteous war is not only a personal obligation but also essential for maintaining societal order. Shankaracharya stresses that such actions are aligned with dharma and are superior for a Kshatriya.

Sri Vallabhacharya

Vallabhacharya critiques Arjuna's hesitation by highlighting that a Kshatriya's dharma is to uphold justice, even if it involves personal sacrifice. He emphasizes that turning away from a righteous war contradicts Arjuna's duty and divine purpose.

Sri Anandgiri

Anandgiri supports the view that Arjuna's hesitation arises from a misunderstanding of his role. He reinforces that a Kshatriya's nature and dharma demand adherence to righteous warfare, which ultimately upholds both individual and societal welfare.

Sri Dhanpati

Dhanpati emphasizes that a Kshatriya’s duty includes protecting the people and maintaining justice through war when necessary. Arjuna's confusion arises from overlooking the greater purpose of his role. Dhanpati explains that by performing his duty, Arjuna contributes to dharma and gains spiritual merit.

Sri Ramanuja

Ramanuja asserts that righteous war is equivalent to sacrificial acts like Agniṣṭoma yajna, where harm (in this case, killing) is secondary to fulfilling dharma. He explains that a Kshatriya’s role involves upholding justice and protecting the kingdom, making participation in the war a sacred duty.

Sri Sridhara Swami

Sridhara Swami states that Arjuna’s hesitation stems from attachment to worldly relations. He highlights that performing one's duty without personal bias is crucial for spiritual progress. For a Kshatriya, there is no greater virtue than engaging in a righteous war.

Sri Neelkanth

Neelkanth elaborates on Arjuna’s duty by emphasizing that war, when justified by dharma, is not only necessary but also spiritually rewarding for a Kshatriya. Such righteous actions align with the divine order and lead to greater good.

Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha

Vedantadeshika explains that dharma must guide actions, even in difficult situations like war. For a Kshatriya, abandoning the battlefield out of emotional conflict contradicts the principles of dharma. He clarifies that the apparent violence of war serves a greater purpose when aligned with righteousness.

Knowledge Bank

Ashwini Nakshatra Mesha Rasi

Ashwini Nakshatra is the first star of Mesha rasi.Its span is from 0 degrees to 13 degrees 20 minutes. In Modern Astronomy Ashwini corresponds to stars β and γ Arietis.

Actions Have Consequences

Straying from your duties or moral path can lead to negative outcomes.