Unwavering Devotion – In Gita Verse 18.65 Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.
Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.65 elucidates the profound principle of unwavering devotion and surrender to the Supreme Being, Vasudeva. This verse serves as an instruction to Arjuna – and by extension, to all seekers of truth – to constantly think of the Supreme, worship Him with utmost faith, and offer everything – mind, speech, and body – to Him. The promise is unequivocal: such devotion will lead to the attainment of the Supreme, as assured by Krishna, who regards Arjuna as His dearest friend.
Arjuna’s internal struggle underscores a significant aspect of surrender. Surrender is not a product of intellectual deliberation; it is an act of complete submission. When one decides to surrender based on reasoning, the ego remains the deciding factor. True surrender occurs only when the ego completely dissolves. If one contemplates and then decides to surrender, it is not genuine surrender because the ego still plays a role in the decision-making process. Genuine surrender is irrevocable; it cannot be rescinded because the one who could revoke it no longer exists.
Krishna’s compassion for Arjuna is evident as He recognises Arjuna’s constant vacillation. Despite Krishna’s clear instruction, Arjuna’s mind continues to oscillate between doubt and faith. Krishna’s promise is a reassurance designed to alleviate Arjuna’s doubts. He emphasises that surrendering everything – mind, speech, and body – to Him is the only way to attain the Supreme. This analogy is akin to a river merging with the ocean or a seed breaking into the soil to germinate. It is a transformative process that requires complete dissolution of the individual self.
The role of the Guru is crucial in guiding the disciple. The Guru must communicate in the disciple’s language and cater to their level of understanding. Even a revered figure such as Krishna must provide assurances to his disciples, despite the intrinsic truth requiring no such guarantees. This is a testament to the Guru’s compassion and the disciple’s limitations.
Krishna advises Arjuna to embody true friendship by focusing on his own actions rather than worrying about the loyalty of others. The proverb “A friend in need is a friend indeed” often masks underlying greed, as it implies using others for personal gain. True friendship should be about sharing, not using someone as a means to an end. Genuine friendship is the highest form of love, devoid of any ulterior motives. It is a subtle, selfless act of sharing joy, dance, and song without expecting anything in return.
The essence of friendship lies in the willingness to share what you have without any expectation of reciprocation. It is not about needing the other person or expecting them to come to your aid in times of trouble. If a friend helps, be grateful; if not, accept their decision without holding grudges. True friendship is not transactional and should not be treated as a commodity in the marketplace. It belongs to the sacred realm, akin to a temple.
Instead of questioning the loyalty of others, one should introspect and ask themselves if they are being friendly. Friendship should be a quality of your being, a climate that surrounds you, making you approachable and kind to everyone you encounter. Live in the present moment, cherishing the fragrance of friendship without worrying about the future. The next moment will naturally evolve from the current one, bringing deeper and higher qualities of friendship.
Krishna’s message to Arjuna is to cultivate a universal sense of friendliness, not restricted to any particular individual. This approach will enable Arjuna to face his challenges, including the battle with the Kauravas, with a spirit of friendliness. The entire existence should be befriended, as it will reciprocate manifold. Life reflects your attitude; if you are friendly, life will mirror that friendliness back to you.
Even nature responds to friendliness. Studies show that trees can sense intentions and react accordingly. A tree can feel joy, fear, and even respond to a friendly gesture. Hugging a tree can evoke a sense of mutual embrace, demonstrating the sensitivity of all existence. Krishna equates existence with God, emphasising that by being friendly, one aligns with the divine nature of existence.
Krishna’s simple yet profound message to Arjuna is to be friendly, without worrying about whether others reciprocate. This approach fosters a deeper connection with all of existence, reflecting the divine essence of life.
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