Verse-59
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 59
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
yadahaṅkāramāśritya na yotsya iti manyase
mithyaiṣa vyavasāyaste prakṛtistvāṁ niyokṣyati
🕉 English Translation
Ahankar mein tu jo kehta yahi,
Ladayi mai ab toh karunga nahin.
Mithaya tu apna yeh nischay samajh,
Swabhav kar dega tujko vivash.
📜 Translation
English
If due to egoism you believe that you will not fight, this decision of yours is baseless, as your very nature, i.e. that of a Kshatriya will impel you to fight.
The 18th chapter is the gist of the entire Gita. Its summary is elaborately detailed in the earlier chapters and the description of the essence of the issues has also been taken up. If some matter appears to be unanswered then its more detailed clarification is the distinguishing feature of this chapter. In the 2nd chapter with reference to Arjun Sanjay had said–'Na yotsya iti govindamuktava tusnim bhabhuva ha' (Gita 2/9) I will not fight. Stating thus Arjun became silent. In the 7th verse of this very chapter Arjun by accepting refuge in the Lord stated–'shishyate aham sadhi mam tvam prapannam' (I am your disciple; instruct me, as I have taken refuge in them). Here the Blessed Lord is commenting sarcastically on that very distinct state of Arjun's mental dilemma.
Arjun on one hand is accepting refuge in the Lord but on the other hand is giving his own decision–'Na yotstya' (I will not fight). Here the Lord is making Arjun remember this strange expression of his–that O Parth! At that time you were not, in fact, under my refuge but dwelling in your arrogance. The state of surrendering to the Divine is–the refuge in the Lord–the compliance of the order of the Lord. Whatever is His will is my desire. If one persists excessively in stubbornness then the refuge is not that of the Lord but is subjugation to one's arrogance. Here by using the words 'na yotsya' the Lord is making Arjun remember his mistake.
Under the effect of arrogance if you are making such an assertion that I will not fight–this determination of yours is absolutely false. The principal and direct listener Arjun is insistent that he will not fight; whereas the war is the need of the hour. Arjun knows everything and has waged several wars earlier. He is a Kshatriya and at the time when unrighteousness has raised its head, in such a situation to engage in the war and annihilate the persons indulging in unrighteousness and also the persons favouring it and to establish righteousness and to become a contributor for establishing righteousness is the duty of a good Kshatriya. This is also part of Arjun's nature.