Responsibility — Lesson 2

Verse

Transliteration

atha cet tvam imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṅgrāmaṁ na kariṣyasi
tataḥ svadharmaṁ kīrtiṁ ca hitvā pāpam avāpsyasi

Meaning

But if you do not engage in this righteous action, then, abandoning your duty and honor, you will incur negative consequences.

Key Words

• dharmyam — righteous, appropriate
• saṅgrāmam — action (here, battle)
• na kariṣyasi — if you do not act
• svadharma — one’s responsibility
• kīrti — integrity, honor
• pāpam — negative consequence

Teaching

Krishna now makes it very practical. Not acting is also a choice. And that choice has consequences. Avoiding responsibility may feel comfortable in the moment, but it creates long-term disturbance. When we do not act according to what is right, we go against our own understanding. This leads to inner conflict. Responsibility is not optional. It is part of living intelligently.

Connection to Responsibility

Responsibility means doing what is appropriate, even when it is uncomfortable. Avoidance does not solve problems. It postpones them and often makes them worse. Acting in alignment with dharma preserves inner clarity and self-respect.

Reflection

Where in my life am I avoiding a responsibility? What is the cost of not acting?