
9
CHAPTER
VERSE
3
अश्रद्दधाना: पुरुषा धर्मस्यास्य परन्तप |
अप्राप्य मां निवर्तन्ते मृत्युसंसारवर्त्मनि || 9.3 ||
Aśraddadhānāḥ puruṣhā dharmasyāsya parantapa |
Aprāpya māṁ nivartante mṛtyusaṁsāra-vartmani ||
O scorcher of foes, those who lack faith in this dharma, return to the cycle of birth and death without attaining Me, O oppressor of enemies, traversing the mortal path of the world.
Lesson:
This verse from Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita holds profound wisdom regarding the importance of faith in one's spiritual journey and the consequences of lacking such faith.
1. Addressing Arjuna: Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as "parantapa," which means "scorcher of foes" or "oppressor of enemies." This signifies Arjuna's prowess as a warrior and sets the tone for the teaching to come.
2. Lack of Faith: The verse highlights the consequence of lacking faith (ashraddadhana) in the prescribed duty or dharma. Dharma here refers to the righteous path or duty that one must follow according to their role in society and their innate nature.
3. Cycle of Birth and Death: Lord Krishna explains that those who lack faith in their duty and do not strive to attain spiritual realization continue to be bound by the cycle of samsara, the cycle of birth and death. This cycle is characterized by the perpetual journey of the soul through different lives, driven by desires and attachments.
4. Return to Mortal Path: Without attaining the Supreme (Me), those without faith are destined to wander along the mortal path of worldly existence. This mortal path is fraught with suffering, illusion, and the transient nature of material life.
Importance of Faith: The verse underscores the crucial role of faith in spiritual progress. Faith acts as a guiding force that propels individuals towards higher truths and ultimately towards liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
In essence, this verse emphasizes the significance of unwavering faith in fulfilling one's duty and attaining spiritual realization. It warns against the consequences of spiritual apathy and highlights the eternal journey of the soul until it merges with the divine, which can only be achieved through steadfast faith and righteous action.