Gita for Youth - Samkhya Yoga - The Ethics of Duty

Virtue and Vice – The ethics behind duty

Krishna then explained to Arjuna what would happen if he did not fight. He said that a just and righteous war is always welcome to a Kshatriya (the warrior) and to fight that war is one’s duty. One should not hesitate to perform that duty. Instead one should be happy to fight in such a war as it would lead to glory and prosperity.

However, if out of fear or of compulsion one does not fight such a war, forsaking reputation and responsibility, that person incurs terrible sin of dereliction of duty.  This mean act of his is told and retold by all for eternity and this loss of reputation is worse than death for a noble born. Other heroes would belittle him thinking that he fled from war out of fear, and would perpetually look down upon him. His enemies would mock him, talk about him disparagingly, and that should be extremely painful for any esteemed soul to bear.

Krishna then encouraged Arjuna saying, “Arise Kaunteya! Fight this war with determination. If you get killed you are sure to ascend to heaven and if you win you are going to rule this earth, what is there to fear? I’ll tell you a way by which you’ll never incur a sin. Treat pleasure and pain, happiness and misery, success and failure equally. Under all these circumstances remain composed and fight, you’ll incur no sin. This is the teaching from the principle of Sankhya.”

Before the commencement of war Arjuna did not express his reservation in the council held in king Virat's court (Mahabharata - Udyag Parva). He was enthusiastic. Krishna tried his best to prevent a war but was not successful owing to the obstinacy of Duryadhana. Now that war is imminent Arjuna is dragging his feet, which is totally against the Kshatriya principle. Sri Krishna is merely reminding him of his duty.

Sri Krishna is also here reminding us of our duty to fight in everyday life, by remaining calm and composed, and by not retreating out of fear or pity. Virtue lies in fighting righteously and courageously. Pulling out of the battle out of fear or pity is sin. Equanimity (ability to remain equally composed) under all circumstances, be it prosperity or adversity, and not forsaking determination and courage in the face of adversity are great virtues. Those who commit suicide thinking that the life's tribulations are unbearable are actually like Arjuna, fleeing from the battle.