Content of Sri Bhagavad Gita - Mamadharma - Perspectives about Ones own Duty
The Gita’s First and Last Words: Dharmakshetre and Mama
First Stanza of the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 1, Verse 1)
Sanskrit (Devanagari Script)
Transliteration
Translation
Last Stanza of the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 18, Verse 78)
Sanskrit (Devanagari Script)
Transliteration
Translation
The Bhagavad Gita's first word, "Dharmakshetre" (field of dharma),
and its last word, "Mama" (mine), encapsulate the essence of its teachings—"mama dharma" (my duty).
This profound symmetry signifies that the core message of the Gita is about realizing and embracing one's personal duty (dharma).
It highlights that the spiritual journey is not abstract but deeply personal, requiring each individual to discern and uphold their responsibilities in life with clarity, detachment, and righteousness. This literary connection beautifully reinforces the Gita's timeless emphasis on duty-driven action.
What is Mama Dharma?
Mama dharma means "my duty" or "my righteous path," referring to an individual's personal responsibilities and moral obligations based on their role, nature, and circumstances in life. It emphasizes acting in alignment with one's unique purpose and principles.
1. Lord Krishna: The Divine Guide and Selfless Charioteer
Mamadharma
Lord Krishna's Dharma was to guide Arjuna selflessly, ensuring that Arjuna upheld righteousness (Dharma) and overcame his confusion and despair. Krishna's role as the divine charioteer was an act of pure selflessness—he neither sought personal gain nor had any direct stake in the outcome of the war.
His Role in the Gita
Krishna imparted the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, urging him to perform his duty as a warrior without attachment to the results. He taught that actions must be performed in alignment with higher principles, dedicating their outcomes to the divine. Krishna’s Mamadharma was to uphold Dharma in society by inspiring others to act without selfish motives.
Key Lesson
Krishna exemplifies the ideal of selfless service and the responsibility of a leader to guide others toward righteousness.
2. Arjuna: The Conflicted Warrior
Mamadharma
Arjuna’s Dharma was to fulfill his duties as a Kshatriya (warrior)—to fight for justice and protect society from adharma (unrighteousness). However, overwhelmed by his emotional attachments to family, friends, and teachers on the opposing side, Arjuna hesitated, questioning the morality of war and the consequences of his actions.
His Role in the Gita
Through Krishna’s teachings, Arjuna realized that his Dharma was not about personal emotions or desires but about serving the greater good. Krishna reminded him that by focusing on Nishkama Karma (selfless action)—acting without attachment to results—he could transcend his doubts and fulfill his responsibilities.
Key Lesson
Arjuna’s journey reflects the internal conflict we all face when balancing personal attachments with societal obligations. His Mamadharma teaches the importance of duty over desire and the need to act in harmony with universal principles.
3. Sanjaya: The Impartial Narrator
Mamadharma
Sanjaya’s duty was to faithfully narrate the events of the Kurukshetra War to King Dhritarashtra, using the divine vision granted to him by Sage Vyasa. His Dharma required him to remain neutral and truthful, even when conveying the harsh realities of the battlefield.
His Role in the Gita
Sanjaya demonstrated unwavering commitment to his role, concluding his narration of the Bhagavad Gita with an insight into its profound wisdom. He declared that victory, justice, and prosperity would always align with those on Krishna’s side, emphasizing the moral superiority of Arjuna’s cause. Despite this, he remained impartial and did not let his personal views sway his narration.
Key Lesson
Sanjaya embodies the virtue of truthful communication and the ability to carry out one’s responsibilities with integrity, regardless of personal opinions or the outcome.
Sanjaya exemplifies the virtue of truthful communication by faithfully narrating the events of the battlefield, including the moral dilemmas and divine teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, without bias or alteration. His courage to present the truth, even when it might displease King Dhritarashtra, highlights his integrity and commitment to dharma, making him an exemplar of honest and fearless expression.
4. King Dhritarashtra: The Blind King Bound by Attachment
Mamadharma
Dhritarashtra’s Dharma as a king was to uphold justice and prioritize the welfare of his kingdom over personal attachments. However, blinded by his love for his son Duryodhana (Putra Moha), he consistently ignored wise counsel and allowed adharma to prevail, leading to devastating consequences.
His Role in the Gita
At the outset of the Gita, Dhritarashtra revealed his attachment when he asked Sanjaya about his sons, focusing only on their fate rather than the greater implications of the war. Even after hearing Sanjaya’s narration of Krishna’s divine teachings and the inevitability of his sons’ defeat, he remained unmoved, allowing his attachment to dictate his actions.
Key Lesson
Dhritarashtra’s failure to overcome personal bias highlights the dangers of neglecting one’s responsibilities and succumbing to attachment. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of abandoning Raj Dharma (the duty of a king) in favor of personal desires.
Dhritarashtra's inability to act on Sanjaya’s truthful narration and advice reflects his deep attachment and unwillingness to rise above his emotions for his sons. Despite knowing the inevitable outcome of the war as a result of unrighteousness and injustice, he clings to his attachment, prioritizing familial bonds over his dharma as a king. This attachment blinds him to his moral duty, ultimately leading to the catastrophic loss of his 100 sons and the fall of the Kaurava dynasty.
Conclusion: A Spectrum of Dharma
The Bhagavad Gita showcases how Mamadharma is unique to each individual, determined by their role, responsibilities, and circumstances.
- Krishna’s selflessness,
- Arjuna’s transformation from doubt to duty,
- Sanjaya’s impartiality,
- and Dhritarashtra’s tragic attachment
Each provides a distinct perspective on the challenges of living in accordance with Dharma.
The Gita’s teachings remind us that while our paths may differ, the essence of Dharma lies in performing our duties with integrity, detachment, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Through its characters, the Gita inspires us to reflect on our own Mamadharma and strive for a life rooted in righteousness and purpose.
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