Established In Brahman – In Gita Verse 18.66 Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
In Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.66, Krishna instructs Arjuna to abandon all varieties of religion and surrender exclusively to Him, promising to deliver him from all sinful reactions and urging him not to fear. This profound directive underscores the essence of surrender and the dissolution of ego in the pursuit of spiritual liberation.
Arjuna, entangled in a web of thoughts and moral dilemmas, finds himself grief-stricken. The act of thinking itself becomes a source of sorrow for him. The more he contemplates his actions – whether to kill or not, who is friend or foe – the deeper he sinks into despair. Krishna’s message is clear: liberation from sorrow and sin lies in surrendering one’s ego and taking refuge in the Supreme Soul, Vasudeva.
Krishna’s invitation to Arjuna is an invitation to complete surrender, to dissolve the ego entirely. As long as the ego exists, distinctions such as mine and others, birth and death, sin and virtue persist. When the ego is relinquished, these dualities vanish. Krishna’s assurance to free Arjuna from all sins should not be misinterpreted as a licence to sin freely. Instead, it signifies that true surrender leads to the dissolution of ego, and consequently, the eradication of sin.
The concept of sin in the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads differs fundamentally from that in biblical religions. In the latter, sin is associated with specific actions, and individuals are judged based on their deeds. Conversely, in the Upanishads, sin is linked to one’s state of being rather than actions. Ignorance of one’s true self is considered the root of sin, while awareness and consciousness are seen as virtues.
To call someone a sinner in the context of the Upanishads means that the person is ignorant and unaware of their true self. This ignorance leads to sinful actions. Therefore, the focus should not be on changing actions but on transforming one’s consciousness. When an individual becomes fully aware and conscious, sinful actions naturally cease to occur.
For instance, anger can only arise when one forgets oneself. In a state of self-awareness, anger cannot exist. It is not about controlling or suppressing anger but about being so fully aware that anger becomes impossible. This is analogous to a fully lighted room where darkness cannot coexist. Similarly, sin is seen as darkness, and the light of consciousness dispels it.
The Upanishads advocate for increasing inner awareness rather than directly combating sin. Fighting sin directly can lead to feelings of guilt and inferiority, hindering spiritual growth. Instead, by cultivating inner awareness, sins naturally disappear. This approach fosters a sense of worthiness and acceptance, promoting a deeper connection with the divine.
Christianity and other biblical religions often emphasise guilt and repentance for sins, which can lead to a sense of unworthiness. In contrast, the Upanishadic approach focuses on transforming one’s inner being, which naturally leads to virtuous actions. This transformation is more profound and enduring than merely changing one’s actions.
When one attains a state of complete awareness, they realise that all actions are part of nature (Prakriti) and that their true self is merely a witness (Purusha). This realisation dissolves the ego and the associated dualities of sin and virtue. Krishna’s message to Arjuna is to attain this state of consciousness, where all sins are destroyed, and one is established in Brahman.
Krishna’s directive to surrender and the Upanishadic emphasis on inner transformation highlight the importance of dissolving the ego and attaining self-awareness. This leads to the eradication of sin and the realisation of one’s true self, ultimately establishing one in Brahman. This approach offers a more profound and holistic path to spiritual liberation, free from the burdens of guilt and unworthiness.
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