Krishna continues to throw light on the destruction that lust and anger can cause in life...
"(When you are deep into the situation where there is no option to war) you have to follow the teaching of the way of life which you are brought up to follow. ( You being born into a warrior race, cannot give up the vocation of a warrior and choose some other way of life that is not the upbringing imparted to you.
It is better to (fight) follow your upbringing. ( If at this crucial moment) you start toying with the idea of giving up the vocation of a warrior in favour of some other (less risky) way of life, your end will be fearful. "
Arjun asks,
" You who are born in the dynasty of Vrushni, tell me why a man is led into temptation, and why he succumbs to the lure even when he resists. Why does he behave contrary to his better judgement as if it is destiny that dictates him to do so? "
Krishna answers,
"This lust, this rage, they are caused by the overflow of energy ( Rajas ). Lust ( when not satisfied ), leads to anger. This anger swells and devours everything and yet is not quelled. This fretful anger is the cause of greatest evil in life. It is the worst enemy of man.
When lust and anger overpower man, even the wise man loses his mind. It is like what happens when smoke shrouds fire and when dust accumulates over a mirror, or when the placenta covers the fetus. In the same way these passions cloud the knowledge in the heart of a wise man, and lust is a fire that is difficult to quell.
The senses, the mind, the intellect, are the abodes of lust and anger. Lust and anger capture these fortifications first and then proceed to cover up knowledge of the man dwelling inside the body. Therefore, Arjun, control the senses which are most prone to the attack of a passion. Senses are the first to give way and open the way to the downfall of wisdom and knowledge. The senses are the most vulnerable because they are directly exposed to the external influence. The mind is beyond the senses (stronger than the senses). Intellect is higher than the mind, and He, the Atman, the Spirit, is even higher than the intellect. Acknowledge and respect the presence of that Divine Being who dwells in the deepest interior of Man. Even though He is beyond Intellect, it is only by Intellect that you can realize His presence. Hold fast to Him with the help of the Intellect. He is your greatest ally in the battle against your deadliest enemy : the temptation of lust. With His help, conquer and destroy your enemy.
The end of chapter 3.
"(When you are deep into the situation where there is no option to war) you have to follow the teaching of the way of life which you are brought up to follow. ( You being born into a warrior race, cannot give up the vocation of a warrior and choose some other way of life that is not the upbringing imparted to you.
It is better to (fight) follow your upbringing. ( If at this crucial moment) you start toying with the idea of giving up the vocation of a warrior in favour of some other (less risky) way of life, your end will be fearful. "
Arjun asks,
" You who are born in the dynasty of Vrushni, tell me why a man is led into temptation, and why he succumbs to the lure even when he resists. Why does he behave contrary to his better judgement as if it is destiny that dictates him to do so? "
Krishna answers,
"This lust, this rage, they are caused by the overflow of energy ( Rajas ). Lust ( when not satisfied ), leads to anger. This anger swells and devours everything and yet is not quelled. This fretful anger is the cause of greatest evil in life. It is the worst enemy of man.
When lust and anger overpower man, even the wise man loses his mind. It is like what happens when smoke shrouds fire and when dust accumulates over a mirror, or when the placenta covers the fetus. In the same way these passions cloud the knowledge in the heart of a wise man, and lust is a fire that is difficult to quell.
The senses, the mind, the intellect, are the abodes of lust and anger. Lust and anger capture these fortifications first and then proceed to cover up knowledge of the man dwelling inside the body. Therefore, Arjun, control the senses which are most prone to the attack of a passion. Senses are the first to give way and open the way to the downfall of wisdom and knowledge. The senses are the most vulnerable because they are directly exposed to the external influence. The mind is beyond the senses (stronger than the senses). Intellect is higher than the mind, and He, the Atman, the Spirit, is even higher than the intellect. Acknowledge and respect the presence of that Divine Being who dwells in the deepest interior of Man. Even though He is beyond Intellect, it is only by Intellect that you can realize His presence. Hold fast to Him with the help of the Intellect. He is your greatest ally in the battle against your deadliest enemy : the temptation of lust. With His help, conquer and destroy your enemy.
The end of chapter 3.
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