This world exists at many levels. The senses are the primary first contact. Most of us, however, take the senses as the sole trigger of action. Instead of action we react. Therefore, Sri Krishna advises Arjuna not to act under the trigger of the senses. He should act under the impulsion of something higher.
Withdrawing the senses inwards does not mean stop seeing, stop hearing, etc. That would be foolish and impractical. It means do not jump to hasty conclusions based on the senses. Withdraw the outward-going impulse rushing to act under the sensory impulse as most human beings do and hence their life remains like a cork upon the sea pushed by all kinds of sense attractions.
Instead, as the Gita itself elaborates later, bring the senses under the control of the Mind, the mind under the control of the Buddhi, the buddhi itself under the control of the true Self. If we can do that, we shall avoid a lot of unnecessary problems, unpleasantness, unhappiness in life.
Break someone’s heart,
Do good deeds,
Keep everyone at home happy,
We should do it here.
Imagine if the police, the judge rendering justice, the soldier on the battlefield, even the surgeon following this doctrine in letter rather than the spirit. The result will be chaos. Imagine the police does not catch the criminal because, by doing so, not only the criminal but his family will be unhappy.
Again, what is good karma, good actions? Is it doing actions to make others happy? Imagine how disastrous it would be if the boy demanded dowry to make his parents happy. Or the wife prepared a drink since the husband felt that would make him happy! Happiness is a relative and subjective thing. Therefore, the Gita asks us to do what is the right and the true thing to do. Otherwise, Arjun should have renounced the battle so that his cousins and uncle would be happy despite their actions being totally evil and unjust! Should we and would we let our children take drugs if they say it will make them happy? There are plenty of such examples. Therefore, the wise always advise us to do what is right and true rather than what will make me and others happy. That can be one consideration but never the sole or the highest one.
You will do bad things
God forgives sorrow
Will God spare or improve? Inflicting pain may be a way to change, but the true change only comes when we learn within, when we understand why we should not do evil. In fact, the very tendency to evil needs to be rooted out. But that takes time. The Gita gives us the secret of this inner change so that the very tendency of wrongdoing goes away from us.
Hope these are clear. Will be happy to take up any questions that may arise.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
