A common space for harmonic peacemakers

II: 32

Chapter 2, Verse 32

“Blessed are the warriors who are given

The chance of a battle like this,

Which calls them to do what is right

And opens the gates of heaven.”

Sri Aurobindo:

“Krishna turns aside for a moment to give another answer to the cry of Arjuna over the sorrow of death of kindred which will empty his life of the causes and objects of living. What is the true object of the warriors’ life and their true happiness? Not self-pleasing and domestic happiness and a life of comfort and pleasure with friends and relatives, but to battle for the right is their true object in life and to find a cause for which they can lay down their lives or by victory win the crown of the hero’s existence.”

[These ideas apply equally to the soldier and the spiritual grappler, the one who battles with unskillful desires day in and day out. By turning our backs figuratively and introspectively on ego gratification for its own sake, we “lay down our lives” and are born anew, for, as Jesus says, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12: 24) And, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9: 23, 24)]