Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 59

English Translation

That you think 'I shall not fight', by relying on egotism,-vain is this determination of yours. (Your) nature impel you!

Detailed Commentary

।।18.59।। Explanation -- **Taking Refuge in Ahankara** (ego) -- From Prakriti arises Mahat-tattva, and from Mahat-tattva arises Ahankara. A distorted part of Ahankara itself is the notion 'I am the body'. A person who takes refuge in this distorted Ahankara can never be without action. Because Prakriti is eternally active and mutable, a person dependent on it cannot remain without performing Karma (Gita 3.5). When a person, acting with Ahankara, comes under the sway of active Prakriti, he cannot say, 'I will perform this action' or 'I will not perform this action'. A person subservient to Prakriti is not free from either Karma or Akarma, because his every act and even his non-action are forms of Karma. However, when the individual is not subservient to Prakriti, but remains detached from it (which is its true nature), then performing or not performing holds no significance for him. This means that those individuals who are connected with Prakriti cannot remain without Karma. But one who has severed ties with Prakriti, or who has completely taken refuge in Bhagavan, is not compelled to act. **'I will not fight,' thus you think** -- In the second chapter, Arjuna, having taken refuge in Bhagavan, prayed for instruction: 'I am Your disciple; instruct me, who has surrendered to You' (2.7), and then clearly stated, 'I will not fight' (Na Yotsye) (2.9). This did not please Bhagavan. Bhagavan thought, 'He first surrendered to Me, and then, without My permission, declared, "I will not fight"?' This became a surrender of Ahankara, because in true surrender, it is not appropriate to say, 'I will do this' or 'I will not do this'. Upon surrendering to Bhagavan, one must do whatever Bhagavan desires to be done. This situation caused Bhagavan to smile (2.10). But due to immense compassion and affection for Arjuna, Bhagavan began His instruction. Otherwise, Bhagavan would have said right there, 'Do as you wish' (Yathecchasi tathā kuru) (18.63). But Arjuna's statement, 'I will not fight,' bothered Bhagavan. Therefore, using Arjuna's very words here – 'Na Yotsye' – Bhagavan said, 'You are taking refuge in Ahankara, not in Me.' Had you taken refuge in Me, it would not have been possible to say, 'I will not fight.' If you were in My refuge, the responsibility for what I would do and what I would not do would be Mine. Furthermore, upon surrendering to Me, even this Prakriti would not be able to compel you (Gita 7.14). The triple-Guna Maya, i.e., Prakriti, compels only those who have not taken refuge in Me (Gita 7.13). An individual caught in the current of Prakriti is always subjugated by Prakriti's Gunas. It is a profound truth that humans become subservient to those material (Prakrita) objects they consider their own. They delude themselves into thinking they are the masters of these objects, but they become their slaves. However, they do not become subservient to objects they do not consider their own. Therefore, one should not consider any material object as one's own, because they truly are not one's own. In reality, only Bhagavan is one's own. By considering Bhagavan as one's own, a person's subservience ends forever. When humans identify with objects and actions, they become dependent; but by embracing Bhagavan and taking exclusive refuge in Him, they become independent. Upon surrendering to the Lord (Prabhu), dependence ceases completely – this is the glory of surrender (Sharanaagati). But those who take refuge in Ahankara instead of the Lord are swept away in the cycle of death and rebirth (Samsara), 'returning to the path of mortal existence' (Nivartante mrityu-samsaara-vartmani) (9.3). Warning about this very point, Bhagavan is telling Arjuna, 'What you say – "I will not fight" – your assertion, your stubbornness, will not work.' You will be compelled by your Kshatra-prakriti to fight. **This resolve of yours is false** -- Resolve (Vyavasaaya) or determination (Nischaya) is of two types – real (vaastavik) and unreal (avaastavik). To determine one's eternal relationship with Paramatma is real, but to determine one's connection with material objects, uniting with Prakriti, is unreal. In a resolve concerning Paramatma, the self (svayam) remains primary, whereas in a resolve concerning Prakriti, the inner instrument (antahkarana) remains primary. Therefore, Bhagavan tells Arjuna here that your resolve, 'I will not fight,' which you are making by taking refuge in Ahankara, that is, Prakriti, is unreal, false. Refuge should be in Paramatma alone, not in Prakriti and the worldly creations of Prakriti. If a Jiva (individual soul) firmly resolves, 'I belong to Paramatma alone, and I must proceed only towards Paramatma,' then this resolve of his is real. The glory of this resolve has been described by Bhagavan in the thirtieth verse of the ninth chapter: that even if the most wicked person worships Me with exclusive devotion, he should not be considered wicked, but rather a Sadhu (saintly person), because he has firmly resolved, 'I belong to Bhagavan alone, and I shall worship Bhagavan alone.' **Prakriti will compel you** -- By these words, Bhagavan states that your Kshatra (warrior) nature will forcibly engage you in battle. The nature of a Kshatriya is valor, not turning one's back in battle (Gita 18.43). Therefore, with the opportunity for a righteous war before you, you will not be able to abstain from fighting. **Connection** -- In the previous verse, Bhagavan told Arjuna that Prakriti would engage him in Karma; now, in the following verse, He elaborates on the same.