A well-written book cycles back to the starting point in its ending point. Let’s see how such cyclicity is demonstrated in the Bhagavad-gita, which is not just a profound philosophical treatise but also a brilliant literary work. In the Gita, Arjuna’s starting question (02.07) is answered in Krishna’s concluding call (18.66).

Starting question: Though Arjuna speaks some verses before 02.07, those are mostly expressing his heart’s feelings and head’s arguments. Only after those feelings and arguments leave him perplexed (02.06) does he ask the earnest question (02.07): what is dharma, the right thing to do? Arjuna is torn between two conflicting dharmas: kula-dharma, his dynastic duty to protect his relatives; and his kshatriya-dharma, his social duty to punish aggressors. What is he to do when relatives become aggressors?

Ending answer: Though Krishna speaks several verses after 18.66, those are mostly describing the glories of the Gita’s message (18.67-71), followed by a concluding enquiry (18.72). 18.66 answers the question about dharma paradoxically, by seeming to call for the rejection of dharma. Actually, its focus is not on rejecting dharma but on stressing para-dharma, the topmost dharma: loving surrender to Krishna. Gita wisdom explains that we all are parts of Krishna, who is everyone’s greatest well-wisher. We all can achieve our highest potential by learning to love him and love all living beings in relationship with him. In fact, all the various dharmas are meant to help us progress stepwise toward that love. Accordingly, Krishna resolves Arjuna’s dilemma by urging him to act with devotional love, turning away from all those dharmas that impede such service.

One-sentence summary:

The Gita cycles back to the starting question about dharma by establishing in its conclusion the highest dharma of loving devotion, which integrates all dharmas in a harmonious hierarchy.

Think it over:

  • How does the Gita demonstrate cyclicity?
  • How does the Gita’s conclusion answer its starting question?
  • How can we understand the rejection of dharma in Gita 18.66?

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18.66: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

 

To know more about this verse, please click on the image