Swami Chinmayananda’s talk (Bhagavad Gita Ch.18, vv.59–60) at Sidhabari explains how actions are driven by nature and past karma, illustrating human helplessness under temperament while highlighting individual willingness and responsibility. (Image: Ref)
It was a spiritual camp at Sidhabari in the Himalayas with Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji. That day he had given talks on the chapter 18th of the Bhagavad Gita, verses 59 and 60. As usual people had questions to ask. The verse 59 states: “If depending on your ego you think ‘I will not fight’, vain is this your resolve, for your nature will compel you.” Then verse 60 translates as: “O son of Kunti, (Arjuna) bound by your own karma (actions in the past), born of your own nature, that which, through your delusion, you wish not to do, even that you shall do helplessly.” Then rose the question: “If this be the case, then how can we be blamed for our sins or any action?” So prompt was Gurudev’s answer: “A train moves only because of steam. The steam is not going anywhere from Allahabad to Banaras, but passed through certain equipment it dynamises the engine because of which the whole train moves. The direction it takes, does not depend on the steam but the driver of the engine. You cannot blame the steam for a train accident. So yes, you cannot even blink without His grace, but the willingness to blink, depends on you. Your actions are compelled by the desires you entertain, which make up your temperament. You then are shackled by it, and therefore, helpless.” These verses are addressed to Arjuna who was a prince, the best warrior and archer of his age, the commander in chief of the Pandava army, till the war began. Thereafter he panicked and was a nervous wreck and refused to fight, giving quite convincing reasons for his shameful intention.
Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi.
