Evolution Of Life – In Gita Verse 2.18 The material body of the indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity is sure to come to an end; therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata.
In the profound verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna enlightens us that the physical form is transient, continually changing until we fulfil our cosmic duties.
Remember how, in school, if we failed to learn a lesson, our teacher would insist on repetition until mastery was achieved? Similarly, existence assigns us life lessons. Until we actualise our tasks, we reincarnate time and again.
In my earlier post, Bhagavad Gita Verse 1.30, I explored the ancient nature of the body and the relatively recent emergence of the mind. Upon taking human birth, our mind is fully evolved. Our journey as human beings is to evolve in consciousness, as is evidenced by our ascent from animalistic origins.
The partial consciousness we possess as humans is but a milestone in life’s grand evolutionary saga. Now, let’s delve into the significance of our intentional efforts – or Sadhana – in fostering this growth, efforts exemplified by the buddhas, the enlightened ones.
Evolution, in its biological sense, is an unconscious process that requires no deliberate action, no conscious exertion – it happens naturally. However, once the threshold of consciousness is crossed, evolution as we know it ceases. Evolution’s mandate is to engender consciousness. With the advent of consciousness, that primal evolutionary impulse stalls. Further growth rests squarely upon the self-aware being.
Human evolution has largely plateaued. Scientific studies assert that the human form has seen no fundamental changes for tens of thousands of years. An ancient human body, if somehow restored and educated, would be indistinguishable from any modern-day human.
Evolution halted when consciousness emerged. With this dawn of awareness, evolution fulfilled its role. Beyond this point, every step taken is a function of conscious choice – of personal effort. In essence, humanity has entered a phase of stasis where further evolution will not occur naturally but must be actively pursued through conscious endeavour.
Consciousness represents both the zenith of our evolutionary journey and the foundational step toward further spiritual growth. I emphasise that when I say evolution has stopped, I imply that nature’s unconscious evolution has run its course. We are now sentient, self-aware, and accountable for our evolution – or the lack thereof.
Responsibility is a uniquely human condition, eloquently described by philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. Animals operate under the jurisdiction of evolutionary programming; they bear no responsibility for their actions. Humans are the architects of their choices and thus must be conscious of their responsibility.
Here lies the crux of Krishna’s dialogue with Arjuna: due to Arjuna’s lapse into unconsciousness, the divine assignment is delayed. Krishna implores Arjuna to reawaken to his conscious duties – to fight in the Mahabharata without enmity. Through awareness, he can halt the cycle of rebirth and fulfil his cosmic role.
Krishna reminds us that while in a state of heightened consciousness, we are aligned with our universal assignment. Falling back into unconsciousness will cast us into an endless loop of birth and rebirth. Therefore, it is imperative to remain in the luminous field of consciousness and complete our universal assignment, particularly when we have guidance like Krishna’s – urging us to act without animosity.
Tags: Evolution Of Life
