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Thought of the Month
May 2009
Bhagavad Gita As It Is
2.14
matra-sparsas tu kaunteya
sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino 'nityas
tams titiksasva bharata
O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
(Bhagavad Gita As It Is Chapter 2 - His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
In the proper discharge of duty, one has to learn to tolerate nonpermanent appearances and disappearances of happiness and distress.
According to Vedic injunction, one has to take his bath early in the morning even during the month of Magha (January-February).
It is very cold at that time, but in spite of that a man who abides by the religious principles does not hesitate to take his bath.
Similarly, a woman does not hesitate to cook in the kitchen in the months of May and June, the hottest part of the summer season.
One has to execute his duty in spite of climatic inconveniences. Similarly, to fight is the religious principle of the ksatriyas, and although
one has to fight with some friend or relative, one should not deviate from his prescribed duty. One has to follow the prescribed rules
and regulations of religious principles in order to rise up to the platform of knowledge because by knowledge and devotion only can
one liberate himself from the clutches of maya (illusion).
The two different names of address given to Arjuna are also significant. To address him as Kaunteya signifies his great blood relations
from his mother's side; and to address him as Bharata signifies his greatness from his father's side. From both sides he is supposed to
have a great heritage. A great heritage brings responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties; therefore, he cannot avoid fighting.
Purport available here
Bhagavad Gita As It Is
You can read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is at asitis.com
Srimad Bhagavatam
You can read the Srimad Bhagavatam at srimadbhagavatam.com/
Please read more about Krishna Conscious philosophy at Krishna.com
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