- What does Krishna put forth as the key to liberation from rebirth?
The key to achieving moksha, or liberation from rebirth, is the merging of jeevatma (the substance of the individual soul) with paramatma (the spirit of the cosmos). But this mission cannot be accomplished through esoteric practices of asceticism alone. Equally important for attaining moksha, is the completion of one’s duties toward self and community. These rules are laid out in Yogic texts under Karma Yoga, which is the aspiration toward moksha by participating in worldly deeds. Krishna thus elucidates to Arjuna how the battle ground of the Kurushetra can be an arena for self-emancipation.
- How does Krishna upholds the Vedic view of supporting the world while also accommodating the world-denying view?
Krishna attempts to show Arjuna that the monistic and dualistic views of the world are not incompatible. He explains to Arjuna how noble worldly deeds could propel an individual toward cosmic assimilation. Krishna invokes the notion of Saguna Brahman or Personal God in urging Arjuna to unify his wisdom, devotion and the desire for liberation from earthly existence. Under this view, even the most mundane of daily activities could help in liberation if it was done in proper spirit. Hence, there is no necessity for Arjuna to shun all things attached to the world. Such an attitude would hinder his fulfilment of dharma. Krishna further entreats Arjuna to think of Kurushetra as a metaphor or allegory for the moral struggle that is the basis of spiritual progress. Thus, even the carnal and barbaric tendency witnessed in the battle ground could be tapped into and channelled into spiritual awareness.
Work Cited:
The Bagavad Gita, translated by Shri Purohit Swami, retrieved from http://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Bhagavad-Gita-Translation-by-Shri-Purohit-Swami.pdf on 16th May, 2013