28. avyaktudim bhutam
vyaktamadhyam bharata
avyaktanidhanciny eva
tatra ka paridevand
(28) Beings are unmanifest in their beginnings, manifest in the middles and unmanifest again in their ends, 0 Bharata (Arjuna) , what is there in this for lamentation?
29. dgcaryavat pasyati kascid enam
ascaryavad vadati tathai 'va ca" '
nyah agcaryavac cai 'nam
anyah srnoth srutva 'py enam
veda na cai 'va kascit
29) One looks upon Him as a marvel, another likewise speaks of Him as a marvel ; another hears of Him as a marvel ; and even after hearing, no one whatsoever has known Him Though the truth of the Self is free of access to all mankind, it is attained only by very few who are willing to pay the price in self-discipline, steadfastness and non-attachment. Though the truth is open to all, many do not feel any urge to seek. Of those who have the urge, many suffer from doubt and vacillation. Even if they do not have doubts, many are scared away by difficulties. Only a few rare souls succeed in braving the perils and reaching the goal.
Cp. Katha Up., I I, '. "Even when one has beheld, heard and proclaimed it, no one has understood it." S.
30. dehi mtyam avadhyo 'yath
dehe sarvasya bharata
tasmat sarvani bhutani
na tvam . socitum arhasi
(30) The dweller in the body of every one, O Bharata (Arjuna), is eternal and can never be slain, Therefore thou shouldst not grieve for any creature Man is a compound of Self which is immortal and body which is mortal. Even if we accept this position that body is naturally mortal, still as it is the means of furthering the interests of the Self it has to be preserved. This is not by itself a satisfactory reason. So Krsna refers to Arjuna's duty as a warrior.
31. svadharmam api ca
'veksya na vikammpitum
arhasi dharmyad dhi yuddhac
chreyo 'nyat ksatriyasya na vidyate
(31) Further, having regard for thine own duty, thou shouldst not falter, there exists no greater good for a Ksatriya than a battle enjoined by duty. His svadharma or law of action, requires him to engage in battle. Protection of right by the acceptance of battle, if necessary, is the social duty of the Ksatriya, and not renunciation. His duty is to maintain order by force and not to become an ascetic by "shaving off the hair "[1] Krsna tells Arjuna that for warriors there is no more ennobling duty than a fair fight. It is a privilege that leads to heaven.
