Seek more to connect than to correct – On the brink of the Mahabharata war, Arjuna was overwhelmed by misdirected compassion and was about to abandon his duty. Krishna could simply have corrected him and ordered him to fight. Yet Krishna spoke the entire Bhagavad-gita to help him understand the philosophical and devotional rationale for doing his duty.
We can follow Krishna’s example when we see someone about to make a wrong choice. At such times, we often feel inclined to correct them. If we are their official guides, we may even feel duty-bound to correct them. Still, we can do our duty better not by correcting them, but by connecting them. Connecting them with what? With their God-given intelligence and with God who is the source of all intelligence (Bhagavad-gita 15.15).
Won’t they already be connected with their intelligence? Yes, and there’s always room for improving that connection. Intelligence is a tool for thinking; it’s like a sword for cutting through confusions. Just as a sword-owner can fight more effectively by learning how to use the sword better, a person with intelligence can think more clearly by learning how to use their intelligence better. We can help them connect more with their intelligence by explaining the basis and process for sound decision-making. Being thus connected , they will not only make the present right choice with greater conviction but also make better future choices.
And how does connecting them with God help? Though he guides everyone, our receptivity to his guidance increases when we become devotionally connected with him (10.10). We can help others connect with him through bhakti-yoga practices such as prayer. When they practice bhakti-yoga, the resulting devotional connection will link them to an abiding source of inner guidance.
One-sentence summary:
Correcting others can help them make the right choice presently, connecting them can help them make the right choice regularly.
Think it over:
- How can we connect others with their intelligence?
- How can we connect them with God?
- How is connecting them better than correcting them?
***
15.15: I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.
Hare krishna dandwat pranam please accept my humble obeisance..excellent we hv grp of 15 devotees studying your gita vision verse by verse ….thnxx so much prabhuji
Am grateful to know that I am of service to you and your group. Thanks for letting me know.
connection to GOD via JAPA guide all corrections
Well-said.
Hare Krishna prabhu ji dandvat pranam, please accept my humble omission,
I’ve read either bhagavad gita only beneficial of you by your lectures and articles, thank you so much prabhu ji.
Thanks for your kind words – it is my life’s greatest pleasure and privilege to be an instrument for sharing the wisdom of the Gita.
Dandavat pranam, your teachings regularly nourrish my soul and give me practical understanding of transcendance. Thank you very much for your valuable contribution.
I am grateful to be of service to you in sharing the wisdom of the Gita.