It
was then that Lord Krishna delivered the electrifying message that
remains timeless in its inspiration:
Klaibyam maa sma gamah Partha naitat
tvayyupapadyate
Kshudram hrdaya dourbalyam tyaktvottishta
Parantapa
"Yield not to impotence, O Arjuna, It does
not befit you,
Cast off this mean weakness of heart. Stand
up."
Let us never forget that the Arjuna in this context is none other
than you and me. This particular sloka represents the very essence
of the Gita’s message. It speaks of strength. It condemns
weakness. It re-emphasizes the Upanishadic pronouncement: "nayamaatma
balaheenena labhyaha" i.e. "the atman cannot be
attained by the weak." The entire message of the Gita is based
on this fundamental principle. |