Be Child – In Gita Verse 3.30 Therefore, O Arjuna, surrender all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 3.30, Krishna imparts profound wisdom to Arjuna, urging him to surrender all his actions to the divine consciousness, free from desires for personal gain and devoid of any sense of ownership. Krishna’s guidance is not merely for an individual named Krishna but represents the universal consciousness or God. This verse emphasises the importance of performing one’s duties without attachment, and without succumbing to the distractions of ego or lethargy.
The concept of surrender is central to this teaching. Surrendering everything – actions, results, motivations – requires transcending the feverishness of the ego. The ego thrives on emotions such as anger, greed, and lust, which obstruct true surrender. To overcome these barriers, one must rise above the cycle of desires and emotions that fuel the ego. By doing so, the individual can achieve a state where surrender becomes a natural and effortless process.
Ego often masks inner weaknesses, compelling individuals to seek validation through external achievements and possessions. It creates a facade of strength, while in reality, it is a barrier to true spiritual growth and surrender. The ego insists on maintaining a sense of importance and identity, often through materialistic pursuits. However, genuine strength and identity come from within, requiring no external validation. Historical figures such as Mahavira and Buddha exemplify this inner strength, demonstrating that true presence and significance do not rely on external attributes.
Krishna’s advice to Arjuna to relinquish control and trust in the divine plan is a call to embrace a higher level of consciousness. It is a reminder that the burdens we carry are unnecessary when we recognise the divine orchestration of life. Just as a passenger on a train need not carry their luggage on their head, we too can place our burdens in the hands of the divine and proceed with confidence and ease.
Arjuna’s reluctance to surrender stems from his ego and fear of confronting personal challenges. His rationalisations and justifications are manifestations of his inner turmoil and reluctance to engage in the battle that lies ahead. Krishna’s counsel is a call to transcend these fears and ego-driven concerns, to become an instrument of divine will, and to act without attachment or desire for personal gain.
Krishna’s message to Arjuna is not one of relinquishing responsibility but of becoming a conduit for divine action. The essence of this teaching is captured in the idea of becoming a ‘vehicle’ for the divine, allowing God to work through us while we remain detached from the outcomes. This perspective aligns with the teachings of other spiritual traditions, such as those of Kabir, who described himself as a mere instrument through which divine songs flow.
The path to such surrender requires maturity and a return to a state of childlike innocence. This maturity is not about age but about growth and development that transcends the ego. It is about reconnecting with the source of life and embracing trust and surrender, much like a child trusts their parents. This innocence allows for a deeper connection with the universe, enabling one to act without the burdens of desire or ownership.
The teachings of Jesus also echo this sentiment, emphasising the importance of becoming like children to enter the kingdom of God. This metaphorical return to innocence involves transcending the mind’s cunning nature, which is preoccupied with worldly success. In the realm of the divine, success is measured by one’s ability to surrender and trust in the greater cosmic order.
Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna is a call to transcend knowledge and ego, to embrace consciousness that is fresh, innocent, and free from desire. By doing so, one can act without attachment, trusting in the universe’s wisdom and allowing divine will to manifest through their actions. This state of being is marked by a profound sense of peace and fulfilment, as one becomes an instrument of the divine, acting not for personal gain, but as a part of the greater cosmic play.
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