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Can an egoless one engage in a war? || Acharya Prashant, on Bhagavad Gita (2020)
Scriptures and Saints
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3 years ago
Srimad Bhagavad Gita
Egoism
Transcendence
Maya
Liberation
Ahamvritti
Shri Krishna
Vedanta
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that the conflict faced by Shri Krishna and Arjuna is not merely a historical event between two individuals, but a representation of the internal struggle faced by all of mankind. He clarifies that Shri Krishna resides within the heart of Arjuna, symbolizing the transcendental center within every human being. Addressing a question on Chapter 18, Verse 17 of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, he challenges the assumption that action is impossible without ego. He argues that while most people believe the ego is the sole doer, this is a limited and materialistic perspective akin to a prisoner believing the jail is the entire universe. True spirituality involves testing and transcending these egoistic limits to experience a life beyond personal centers. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that it is entirely possible to act, love, and even die impersonally, without being driven by personal desire or mental targets. He notes that the ego often co-opts the idea of liberation, turning it into a personal utopia that reinforces current bondages rather than shattering them. Instead of seeking imaginary heavens, he suggests that individuals must take a brutal and honest look at the ugliness of their current circumstances. He observes a paradox where those most in need of change often resist it the most, while those who have already progressed are the most eager to shed their remaining bondages. Ultimately, he asserts that life's purpose is to strive for a state where one no longer depends on the shallow and unworthy existence of the personal self.