The final instruction in Bhagavad Gita
An assurance to Arjuna
In the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna that took place in a battlefield, let us examine the final instruction from Krishna. It appears towards the end of the concluding chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (verse 18.66).
Krishna said:
“Forsaking all dharmas,
take refuge in Me alone.
I will deliver you from all sins.
Do not grieve.”
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥
While various interpretations can be given for this verse, here is one perspective that I urge you to reflect upon.
Why is this the last instruction?
Though there are some more statements from Krishna following this verse, this is the last instruction in response to Arjuna’s dilemma and grief (expressed in the first chapter).
Following this verse there are some statements regarding the benefits of reading the Bhagavad Gita, listening to it, who is qualified to read it, etc.
In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, following the commentary to this verse (18.66), Adi Shankaracharya goes on to discuss the essence of the Bhagavad Gita, signalling the end of the main text.
Thus, by way of instructions to Arjuna, this is the last and final instruction. With this, Krishna’s instructions and guidance to Arjuna is complete.
“Do not grieve”, said Krishna
This entire dialogue (in the form of Bhagavad Gita) was meant to redress the grief of Arjuna.
What was Arjuna’s grief all about? On taking his position in the battlefield, the moment Arjuna saw his grandfather, his teacher, and other relatives and friends, whom he was to fight in battle and possibly kill, he was overcome by grief. And he sought Krishna’s guidance to overcome this grief.
And Krishna concludes his instructions to Arjuna (in this verse) by saying, ‘do not grieve’. And thus, the Bhagavad Gita ends with Krishna’s assurance, directly referring to the very reason for this dialogue.
Interpreting this last instruction
Imagine the following scenario. A friend approaches you for guidance regarding some personal problem. How would you wrap up the discussion? You would, most probably:
- Relate the concluding statement(s) to the opening problem statement of your friend
- Keep the statement simple; otherwise, it will call for more explanations, which means this will not be your concluding remark
- You will make some reassuring remarks to make your friend feel at ease and hopeful
As a well-wisher of your grieving friend, you are likely to close by saying, “forget all these things and leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry”. Isn’t it very natural!
This is what Krishna did here with Arjuna. Since this is a concluding statement, Krishna’s statement here has to be interpreted in the simplest manner. Let us not impose much philosophy into it. Krishna is simply reassuring his dear friend Arjuna.
In other words, Krishna is telling Arjuna, “Leave aside all that you have learnt or not learnt. Now that you have come to me, leave it to me. Don’t worry.” This, in simple terms, is the meaning and purport of this verse. Let us not over-interpret this verse.
To a spiritual seeker, the message is — “Leave aside all philosophies. Surrender to the Supreme”.
Give up all “dharma”
Saying ‘give up all dharmas’ (सर्वधर्मान् परित्यज्य), what is Krishna conveying here? What does the word dharma mean here?
In the first chapter, Arjuna had talked about dharma, adharma, good, bad, duty, etc., when he found himself facing his grandfather and teacher in battle. And he said that by killing his relatives, he would be committing adharma (an unrighteous act). He had also talked about the effects of committing such a grave sinful act.
Commentators have interpreted the idea of ‘give up dharma’ in this context, in different ways. For example, Sri Ramanuja says, “give up the sense of possessiveness regarding the fruits of karma-yoga, jnaana-yoga, and bhakti-yoga”. Adi Shankaracharya, in his commentary says, “becoming free from notions of both dharma and adharama”.
Krishna, in simple terms, is telling Arjuna — “forget dharma, adharma, etc; i.e., forget the notions of right and wrong and the virtue or sin associated with them. In fact, forget everything.” Being the final statement, it cannot have any other ideas or philosophical implications, because it may then produce follow-up questions in Arjuna’s mind.
Krishna is saying, “forsaking all dharmas, take refuge in Me alone.” Again, since this is the final assurance, the stress is on ‘take refuge in Me’. And thus, ‘forsake all dharmas’ can simply mean, ‘forget everything’ or ‘leave everything’.
Therefore, this statement “forsaking all dharmas, take refuge in Me alone” is a cardinal statement for a seeker. In other words, ‘Take refuge in the One, the Supreme’.
In final analysis, the Supreme is nothing but the ‘Self’!!
In conclusion
Considering that Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Krishna and his dear Arjuna, it is most befitting to interpret this verse as an ‘endearing assurance’ rather than as an instruction.
It is as simple as that! The statement to a grieving person has to be an endearing assurance, without any sophisticated philosophy associated with it.
