Dogma or Mercy?

(written on December 6, 2019)

Dogmatic means when one tries to lay down principles which are portrayed as unavoidable and true. Krishna’s teaching to Arjuna is not dogmatic because he does not force Arjuna to oblige to his orders, and after speaking all of the knowledge to Arjuna, he leaves the decision to Arjuna, telling him that it is up to him to decide what he wants to do now. This is shown in BG 18.63, “Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.” So, here, Krishna tells Arjuna, I have explained all the knowledge to you, so now it is up to you to make a decision about what you want to do.

Srila Prabhupada further explains this is the purport where he says, “Here the words yathecchasi tathā kuru – “As you like, you may act” – indicate that God does not interfere with the little independence of the living entity.” Srila Prabhupada has explained how Lord Krishna has allowed the living entity their own independence and will not interfere with it. Hence, Krishna is not trying to press the knowledge on to Arjuna and force him to follow His words. He had mercifully explained the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna and had allowed him to make his own decision.