Do not...II

5.Do we really have the onerous responsibility of dispensing justice in this world? No. God's ways are supremely intelligent and no one can either escape from or meddle in His Schemes. Ours is to do our duty; rest assured that the wicked will be punished. We shall not worry whether we shall get what we deserve or not. Even if we do not want, we shall get what we deserve. So, do not worry.

6. Here the Lord assures Arjuna that He will again assume His simple form of Sri Krishna; as the cosmic form had appeared too terrifying. A symbolic message here can be as follows: The ego in us arrogates to itself the petty estate of individuality (Jivatva) and, therefore, the totality of creation often appears to weigh down too heavily on it. But when there is surrender to the Lord, there is surely no fear. In His infinite kindness, the Lord meets us in a pleasant form, guides us and liberates us. So, do not get distressed.

7. Often, an honest seeker feels low and diffident. Such fear of one's own ineptitude or ineligibility saps one's enthusiasm and only negative thoughts arise. No, the very fact that you are seeking refuge in the Lord, that you feel you ought to deserve His grace is enough indication that you are accepted by Him. In fact, our faults are forgiven before even they are committed! So do not think low of yourself!

8. This call ' not to grieve' appears a number of times in Geeta, making it to be called the 'Ashoka-upanishad' by some (the 'no sorrow' teaching). First, recognize the ugliness of the ego whom you have embraced. Leave it, abandon all selfish and narrow ways of thinking and acting; bask in the Sunshine of Lord's Glory (the glory of the egoless state of Atmanistha). When this is possible, why grieve at all! So do not yield to sorrow.

Last, but not the least, DO NOT under estimate the value of the , above 8 "do not's". May His blessings be upon us all!

About the author

Swami Chidananda

Swami Chidananda has been a spiritual teacher, speaker, and writer for two decades. He is presently the Joint Secretary of Rajghat Education Centre, Varanasi, which is a chapter of Krishnamurti Foundation India (KFI). His deeper calling took him to the study of the Vedanta under the world-renowned teacher Swami Chinmayananda. He served the Chinmaya Mission for sixteen years. He now lives on the banks of Ganga in Varanasi, working for the cause of right education as well as rural service.