The Grand Finale In Gita’s Chapter 18

The Bhagwad Gita is not meant only for intellectuals; it is  also for the common person faced with mundane challenges in life. The Gita does not prescribe getting away from the world and retiring to the forest. You have to change your way of thinking! The Gita is a universal message to humanity.

The eighteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is considered to be the summary of the entire Gita. It deals with the main theme -- transformation of the individual from a finite, powerless being into the infinite, omnipotent Self.

You are Spirit; you are not matter. Matter only clothes the Spirit. Spirit is the same in all. Matter varies and consists of three distinct gunas or traits called sattva, rajas andtamas. Sattva is purity, free from desire and ego. Rajas is passion, characterised by frenetic, desire-driven activity.Tamas is inertia, indifference and inactivity that stems from ignorance. Every human has all three gunas. The wide variety of people comes from varying combinations of these three gunas. The purpose of life is to eliminatetamas, refine rajas and promote sattva. You can excel only when you operate out of sattva. You make blunders inrajas and sleep-walk through life in tamas.

Based on this inner composition all humans were categorised into four varnas or castes, based on the blend of sattva, rajas and tamas, not on heredity. Each caste was then given a vocation best suited for their nature. The purpose was to facilitate the spiritual development of all, helping them rise to the highest Perfection. The varnascorrespond to natural archetypes that exist in all societies and act as a general guide to fulfilment and growth in life. A mismatch of inner composition with external work can be highly frustrating and prevent progress.

Brahmanas were predominantly sattvika and highly refined individuals. They were leaders and visionaries. They naturally took to academics – study, research and teaching in the fields of science, medicine, engineering etc. They excelled in soft skills like music, art, literature and philosophy.  They were advisors to the other castes, particularly in the field of ethics and morality. Thus ancient India was led by those of wisdom, not of wealth. They guided the wealthy Kshatriyas and protected them from the corruptive influence of wealth and power. The Kshatriyas – ruler and warrior caste with administrative and management skills – were predominantly rajasika. Vaishyas, traders and businessmen, had more tamas and less sattva. The sudras, labour class, were predominantlytamasika.

Krishna then encapsulates the entire spiritual path starting with the three practices of Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga andJnana Yoga and ending with meditation. Karma Yoga is acting with the attitude to give, serve and contribute.Bhakti Yoga is expanding your love to include all beings.Jnana Yoga is distilling the permanent from the transient aspects of life. He cautions Arjuna, and all of us, on the dangers of disregarding His advice. If you shift your focus to Atman you will overcome all obstacles. If you ignore Divinity and get lost in the material realms you will perish. 

Krishna then leaves us to do as we wish for the Gita is not a doctrine of commandments; it is upadesa, advice based on a logical, scientific exposition on the human personality. You need to draw your own conclusions. Exactly as you would with Physics or Chemistry. Then you will live them.You will experience the truths laid down in the Gita and find liberation while living in the world. You will become arajarshi – sagely within, kingly without.