Justina's Writing Corner

The final chapters of the Bhagavad Gita delved into ideas about the nature of reality, the relationship between material and higher natures, and the path to understanding the infinite. It emphasizes that while material nature is tangible, it is dependent on higher nature, which represents the essence of true reality. Material existence, therefore, is not ultimate reality but a reflection of the infinite essence, which is unified and eternal.

In Chapter 10, it explores how true reality manifests within the material world. It posits that the natural world contains glimpses of the infinite—perfections and traces that point toward higher reality. Through the material, we can observe aspects of true reality’s essence. Although the material world is limited and cannot fully encapsulate the infinite, it serves as a window for understanding this deeper truth. The divine essence reveals itself in the beauty, order, and perfection present in nature.

In Chapter 11, the focus shifts to experiencing the essence of true reality itself. Arjuna expresses a desire to witness Krishna as Brahman, the ultimate reality. Krishna grants him the “divine eye,” enabling Arjuna to perceive the infinite as a unified, limitless whole. This vision transcends ordinary human understanding that is constrained by the ego and individuality. The infinite reveals itself as the unity of all existence, obliterating notions of separateness.

Arjuna’s vision is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The infinite’s boundlessness challenges the foundation of individuality reveals the insignificance of the ego in the face of true reality. This confrontation evokes terror, as the ego resists its own annihilation. The experience is sublime—a combination of awe and fear—highlighting the tension between our capacity to glimpse the infinite and our attachment to individuality.

This perspective on unity raises a critical debate regarding the societal implications of the Gita. While the text highlights the importance of duty (dharma) and individual purpose, it can be argued that this philosophy also functions as a mechanism to sustain the caste system. By emphasizing that each person has a distinct role determined by their birth and social status, the Gita may inadvertently endorse a structure that legitimizes the subjugation of lower castes. The notion that all beings are interconnected and that fulfilling one’s dharma is a divine responsibility could be interpreted as a way to encourage the poor and marginalized to accept their positions in life without question.

This concept of unity conveniently upholds power structures that favor the wealthy and privileged. If the poor are led to believe that their dharma—whether as laborers, servants, or farmers—is divinely determined and holds equal spiritual value to the dharma of the rich and powerful, they may be less motivated to challenge systemic inequities. Consequently, the philosophy of unity can be interpreted as a tool of control to render societal hierarchies seemingly natural and immutable.

The Gita’s depiction of unity, particularly in Chapter 11, can also be viewed as a potential instrument for manipulation. By asserting that all things are unified in the divine reality, the text implies that distinctions like wealth and power are ultimately inconsequential. While this perspective might appear egalitarian, it can also function as a means for the powerful to pacify the oppressed. If a laborer is led to believe they are spiritually equal to a wealthy ruler, they may perceive their hardships as fleeting and unimportant in the larger cosmic order. This interpretation diminishes the imperative to confront material inequalities, redirecting focus toward spiritual fulfillment—a narrative that conveniently supports those in power by preserving their dominance.

It is highly plausible that the Gita was authored by those in authority to preserve the caste system and deter social unrest. By promoting the acceptance of one’s role as part of a divine plan, the text may have been utilized to placate individuals who might otherwise resist oppression. The notion that a sweeper and a king are both integral to the same unified reality might offer solace to the impoverished, but it also reinforces the unchallenged perpetuation of the status quo.