2:29: Some people consider the soul to be amazing. Some speak of the soul as amazing, while others hear of the soul as amazing. Still, no one truly knows the soul.There are those who claim to fully know the nature of God. Such people delusional. No one fully knows Ek Devata (the One God)! God is always more! But how about the soul? Secular science is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of our existence and yet to date science has failed to even confirm the existence of the soul! Of a truth as Sri Krsna here explains, no one truly understands the transcendental nature of the Self. There is however one who fully knows us and that is God. The Lord will now share pertinent information about the nature of the soul to help Arjuna understand intellectually that which is beyond us all.
2:30: The one who occupies a material body is actually an eternal and indestructible soul encased within a material form. This is the situation of all living entities, O descendant of Bharata, therefore you do not deserve to lament.
2:31: Considering your personal religious and moral duty, you ought not to vacillate in the face of this sacred obligation. Indeed, for a Kshatriya [warrior] nothing is better than war.
2:32: O child of Partha, happy is the Kshatriya who obtains a battle such as this which comes of its own accord, for thereby the gates of heaven are thrown open wide.
The Varnashram Dharma was discussed above in some detail. Arjuna belonged to the Kshatriya varna or class and as such his duty was in part to engage in warfare for the good of humanity. This Kuruksetra War was a battle of incomparable glory and fame. Generations to come would sing the praises of its heroes. Such an opportunity for fame and divine service is very rare and Sri Krsna points out that Arjuna should consider himself honored to take part in such a noble conflict! There are just and unjust wars. Arjuna has already concluded that his involvement in this war would be just. It has also been confirmed by the Lord that both he and all others are eternal beings who can neither kill nor be killed and so Arjuna needs fear no negative reactions on that score. He is now encouraged by Sri Krsna to consider his responsibilities both as a Kshatriya and as a man of God.
The living entities take birth throughout the material manifestation in order to accomplish certain goals according to various causes and purposes. It is understood by those with knowledge that the living entities are placed into their various situations according to the principles of Karma (cause and effect), Dharma (divine law) and Marga (destiny that defines their course). We do not select the situations into which we are born, however we do choose how we will deal with them. Now Arjuna had to decide.
Arjuna lived in a culture that was based on this wisdom and therefore for him, as Kshatriya, to refuse to fulfill his duty would be disgraceful and a dereliction of his religious as well as his social duty. Surely no good would come of his refusal to take part in the conflict! The Lord continues:
2:33: Therefore, if you will not perform your religious and moral duty of fighting as a matter of personal obligation [sva-dharmam], then your reputation as a warrior will be forfeited by the acquirement of shameful guilt.
2:34: All beings will proclaim your everlasting dishonor! For one who has been honored dishonor is worse than death.
2:35: The great chariot fighters will determine that you fled from battle due to fear. You, who once received great honors will be lightly esteemed by all.
2:36: With many disrespectful words your enemies will mock your competence. What could be more painful than that?
2:37: If slain you will gain the heavenly realms and if victorious you will enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, O son of Kunti, arise and fight with a resolved spirit.
According to Vedic understanding there are innumerable planets and realms through which the living entities pass. Sri Krsna will explain how the soul advances and declines through these diverse realms by the process of samsara (the wheel of rebirth) later on. For now, those who perform noble actions (who attain positive karma) advance into the higher realms such as Svargaloka where life is pleasant. Sri Krsna here assures Arjuna that should he die in battle his next life would certainly be better than the present one due to the execution of his duty. Likewise should he and his brothers be successful the material rewards of ruling the earthly kingdom of Bharata-varsa would be immense.
A recurring theme in the Gita is our freedom of choice and the benefits of willing devotional service to the Lord. Sri Bhagavan advises Arjuna to perform his duty for religious reasons but if not for that reason, then for social reasons. If he will not accept that, then he should do it for social reasons and for his reputation. Or he should perform his duty for intellectual reasons, for advancement to the heavenly realms, or even, if for no other reason, he should perform his duty for his own material benefits!
When one chooses to submit to the Will of God blessings are always in store in so many ways! People serve the Lord in countless ways and for diverse reasons. The Supreme Lord is our eternal well-wisher and He seeks our best interests at all times.
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