The Bhagavad Gita contains unique moral teachings. These were the “…sociopolitical as well as religious realities in South Asia …” at the beginning of the first century AD. xiii). This story involves two characters: Arjuna who is a powerful fighter and Krishna who, as a supreme divinity, acts in human flesh. Arjuna is faced with a difficult dilemma as he realizes that his warrior duty will eventually lead to him killing his kinsmen, who are fighting for his enemies. Krishna uses this conflict for Arjuna to remind him of the importance to fulfill his prescribed duty. Also known as his Dharma, Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavadgita include the notion of dharma as a fundamental aspect. The way a person acts is determined by their dharma. This varies according to social class. This goes beyond fulfilling the responsibilities. It extends to an individual’s mentality and their intentions when they are executing their tasks. The highest form of dharma requires that one must be focused on the action and not attach to the results or consequences. Krishna stresses this teaching and encourages Arjuna ignore the imminent deaths in his family and to focus on his duties as a warrior. In order to fulfill dharma with no attachment, one must have a deep relationship and be purified forever. Krishna says, “One that, in acting/all of his activities to Brahman/shed of attachments and is unstained/like lotus leafs by water” (5.10). Dharma is the best way to behave, but it can’t be achieved without consistent discipline. The Bhagavadgita’s fundamental teachings emphasize the importance of discipline. This includes both physical action as well mental detachment. This is an essential part of liberating oneself from the cycle and reincarnation.
Physical action is the first step in practicing discipline. Krishna’s dilemma demonstrates that people’s dharma can include challenging tasks. In such cases, it is important to practice discipline and prioritise their duty over emotions. They must achieve their tasks without regard for their feelings. Also, one must be disciplined in all actions. Krishna gives a clear example of disciplined behavior throughout Bhagavadgita. According to his teachings, a disciplinarian is “…solitary; light-eating; controlled in body and speech; meditating on yoga; or seeking refuge in …” (18.87). They can achieve the highest level of discipline when they do these things. This is “…karma yoga, which means that the results of an action, when it is detached from virtue, are given to God (Flood Martin xii). According to this logic, one’s actions can be used to glorify Krishna, fulfill dharma, and not achieve a goal. This is why it is important to practice discipline and act accordingly. Krishna tells Arjuna that a disciplined higher mind can cast off bad and good actions. / Therefore, one should be yoked towards discipline. / Discipline is the ability to perform actions. This skill can only be acquired by living consciously and not by attaching to external outcomes. Krishna continues to stress the importance for discipline in action throughout this text. The virtue of discipline is the ability to lead man to a refined form physical action. As a result, discipline can be practiced through action to help man become more free from the consequences of his work and fulfill his dharma. Discipline extends beyond physical action to include the mind’s activity. Krishna recognizes that there are many thoughts competing for our attention. But, he warns that it is important to ignore distractions as they can cause attachment to actions. Krishna explains in the Bhagavadgita how the mind can often be a wild scene. This is where an individual’s perceptions and beliefs about the external world are challenged. If you practice discipline, these perceptions are subdued. They can then be redirected in positive ways. Krishna explains mental discipline through Arjuna’s counsel that: “When, without being vexed by revelation, your higher mind remains motionless / and is fixed in meditation, then discipline will be attained.” (2.53). In order to gain wisdom, one must practice discipline. This is achieved by keeping the mind in a balanced state where perceptions are not affected by mental processes. This discipline is not an inherent predisposition of man and requires constant practice. Krishna said “…having his senses utterly restrained/the many senses by the brain, / Gradually he will find rest, / His intellect under control,/his mind established in the Self/not thinking about nothing” (6.24-25). Yoga is a form of mental exercise that enables man to consciously focus his attention on one point. To train his mind with discipline, man can draw closer to Krishna and learn to free himself from all attachments. Both mental and physical discipline are essential for progressing in the path to eternal purification.
The rewards of discipline in the mind and body will last a lifetime, regardless of any obstacles. First, you will be able to connect with Krishna more deeply. The second benefit is the ability to focus on Krishna and not be distracted by action. This will lead to the second reward of discipline: progress in the process for eternal purification. This happens through the cycle of Reincarnation in which man is born again until he attains perfection. Because “…having liberated oneself of ego,/force, pride, anguish and grasping,/secular and without selfishness/one is fit for absolute” (18.53). The only way to achieve an unchanging life is through discipline. In turn, they can experience Krishna better. “Liberation [moksha] from the cycle (samsara )…” is the ultimate goal for existence. It allows you to experience an absolute state of being, instead of one that is temporary (Flood Martin. xviii). This goal can only happen if the mind is disciplined and the body is controlled. The greatest reward of discipline is union with Krishna and absolute life. These rewards are worth the effort required to achieve them.
There may be a contention that perfect discipline is not possible in everyday life. People can feel “…anger, fear, or passions …” (2.56) These emotions are what Krishna considers to be harmful to discipline. These emotions can cause many people to feel stuck. Every person’s dharma is different so not everyone can enjoy the yogi lifestyle. This includes solitude meditation and prayer to Krishna. A majority of people are called to common jobs such as merchants, peasants and warriors. These roles can cause high emotions. The peasant may feel frustrated at his servitude and the warrior might experience the thrill of battle. And the merchant may be excited about making a good profit. It may seem absurd to expect Krishna to be able maintain discipline given the relationship between these two occupations.
Krishna argues that people’s different duties do not hinder discipline. He teaches that “Perfection can be achieved by man by worshipping the Origin of all Beings and by praising oneself for their actions” (18.46). He sees the differences among different classes when they act according their dharma. These situations can allow for discipline if the person does not surrender his actions to God as worship. Krishna gives many examples of this. The peasants are taught by Krishna that they can practice discipline while doing their “Plowing trade and cattle-herdings ” (18.44). This is done by letting go of any attachment to their work and focusing on their worship of him. This principle is also applicable to the warriors, as they must glorify Krishna with their “Valor…majesty…firmness…and…lordliness “. Krishna tells his followers to keep their eyes on Krishna while they are engaged in action and to not attach to the consequences. They will master discipline and attain absolute purity.
Discipline is an integral part of Krishna’s teachings regarding how his followers should think about and act throughout their lives. This is clearly demonstrated throughout the Bhagavadgita. The practice of this virtue is both an external and inner action for the body in order to fulfill his dharma. This is what Krishna teaches Arjuna when he confronts his battle dilemma. It is difficult to maintain discipline when there are so many forces at work, including emotion, passion, tension, in this world. No matter where a person stands in life, they can still practice discipline. This is done by abandoning attachment to actions and using it to glorify Krishna. Man is freed from the cycle of reincarnation by practicing discipline and can enter into an eternal union with Krishna. This virtue brings the greatest rewards. Krisha teaches that one who is “firmly fixed upon release/shedding of fear, desire, and rage / will soon attain bliss for ever” (6.28).
Works citées
Flood, Gavin, Charles Martin. “Introduction.” Bhagavadgita: New Translation. Norton Critical edition. Trans. Gavin Flood. New York: Norton, 2015. vii-xviii. Print.
The Bhagavadgita: A New Translation Norton Critical edition. Trans. Gavin Flood. Norton published a book in New York in 2015. Print.
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