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PHRASES IN THE GITA (4)

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PHRASES IN THE GITA (4)

Hatho vaa praapsyasi Swargam jitvaa vaa bhokshyase Maheem  (Chapter 2 - Verse 37)
हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गम् जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्  (अध्याय 2 - श्लोक 37)
ஹதோ வா ப்ராப்ஸ்யஸி ஸ்வர்கம் ஜித்வா வா போக்ஷ்ஸ்யஸி மஹீம் ..(அத்யாயம் 2 - ஸ்லோகம் 37)

This is an interesting phrase of words. "If you die, you will accede Swarga. If you win you will enjoy Kingship". This attitude has inspired Bharateeya Kshatriyas to dedicate their all in a battle. This phrase expresses an attitude. Any effort has two results, one 'positive', desired and favoured and the other 'negative' and not desired. Your effort becomes less efficient when you are pulled in two opposite directions by your desire to get 'positive/favoured' result and avoid 'negative/not favoured one. Your effort comes out with utmost efficiency when you are assured that both the possible results would be in your favour. This is applicable in every aspects of life. But, Shri Krishna was speaking to Arjuna on a battlefield. Hence, the words He uses are in the context of a battle field.

There are two possible results in a battle. Fight and Win, Or fight rigorously and get killed valiantly. Both are favourable to you, says Shri Krishna. "If you win, you will enjoy the best worldly comforts, due to a King. If you are killed on a battle field, you will access Swarga and enjoy Divine comforts. Heads or tails, you win. There is a third possible option. You may be defeated but, remain alive. That option is unavailable to you."

'Karo yaa maro' (करो या मरो) in Hindi or 'Sey alladhu seththu madi' (செய் அல்லது செத்து மடி) in Tamil and similar sayings are available in all Bharateeya languages. To be caught by the enemy and spend life in captivity or to escape from battlefield only to save life is regarded worst dishonour by Kshatriyas. While describing a Kshatriya later in 18th chapter, Shri Krishna mentions 'Yuddhe apalaayanam' (युद्धे अपलायनम्) (not running away from a battle field) as a chief trait of Kshatriya. No doubt, this attitude has produced world's 'Most daring' Kshatriyas in Bharat. Our history is full of dare devilry of Pandiyas, Rajputs, Sikhs, Marathas, Kolis, Bundelis, etc. Even in modern times, our army has demonstrated best form of bravery, in spite of not so sophisticated weapons and harsh climatic conditions.

This attitude has also resulted in suicidal tendency and hence defeat in many battles. When the indications of a sure defeat appear, the whole army is pulled by a motto of getting killed. Marathas under the great Shri Shivaji are the only ones who broke this rule and set a new rule. 'Fight and win'. If the situation is adverse, "run away, reorganize and fight again only to win". "Shri Shivaji set Victory as the only target. He dismissed the other option of getting killed.

There is an eye opening incident in life of Dr Hedgewar, the great visionary who founded the RSS. He was going around in an art-gallery. There was a picture with a caption, "Come. Learn to die for the Nation". He suggested a better one. "Come. Let us learn to Live for the Nation".

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