Svadharma, our own unique calling in life - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.30&2.31

Re: Svadharma, our own unique calling in life

Dear Shan,
Welcome back to this forum, after "a break" !
Grieving mode cannot continue forever. Even after the deepest bereavement, acceptance gradually "creeps" in.
The stress here is on Arjuna's svadharma, "to fight as kshathriya".
No, Shan, Krishna does not elaborate on svadharma of others.
This verse begins the argument on the level of duty. This is to deepen the understanding of life, after the absolute and relative aspects of existence have been made clear.
Thanks for joining here.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Re: Svadharma, our own unique calling in life

Dear Sri,
Thanks for your valuable input on svadharma.You have brought out the meaning very well.
Butcher cannot be called a murderer because he is a butcher by his kula dharma.

I wish to make a mention of an interesting incident. Vish's elder brother was a leading opthomologist in Govt service.His sevices extended to the prison as well. So, whenever a person was to be hanged, he had to be present there one hour before the hanging, make sure it was carried out properly and certify by testing his eyes that death had occurred ! My MIL used to feel so diturbed about this & went on requesting him, not to do this. He used to reply that it was part of his duty as a Govt opthomologist and could not refuse.
You have very clearly explained
So dharma, means duty, religion and even nature.Svadharma hence could be translated as one’s prescribed duties.
Mother Mira's words are most apt & sum up this verse beautifully.
Thankyou, Sri, for making this thread very enjoyable.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Re: Svadharma, our own unique calling in life

Dear Vidhi,
What Krishna talks about here is broadly based on Varnasrama dharma.
I am sure, each one of us is aware of what our duty is - as a daughter, spouse, mother, sister etc.There cannot be any ambiguity about that.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Sudha,
Your FB is very encouraging !
Dharma maintains the stream of evolution in life. One cannot waver from it, for one's own benefit and as part of his duty.
Please stay tuned Sudha - I need you all with me on this journey.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Pavithra,
You are asking a tricky question - I will answer within my limitations.
One's family comes first. Next only comes our duty to a friend etc.
In this particular context, what Krishna talks about is kula dharma. He wants to bring home to Arjuna that to him, born a kshathriya, fighting is natural; it is his normal duty in life. Sympathy to a cousin or fellow human being comes only next.A kshathriya is born to protect dharma at any cost and he has to "do battle in accord with dharma" and establish righteousness for the good of the world.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Dear Kamla,
Thanks for finding time to visit us in this thread !
As a woman, your dharma is to your own family.
Any decision, taken with a prayerful attitude, will lead you right !
I perfectly understand your dutiful priority to your family first. IL comes only next, no problem, Kamla !
Love,
Chithra.