Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga: / Verse 66

Krishna reinforces what he has already stated in the way of all-fold surrender and attunement. Any kind of dharma, code of conduct, is based upon the prevalence of its opposite, namely adharma, violation of such a code. Can the wholeness of creation be such as to allow any division? In the whole of our body, is there any part preferable or detestable? Are not dual and plural considerations, when deeply thought of, inappropriate and disharmonious by their very nature?

To begin with, right and wrong may help. They train one to dismiss the inferior half and take to the loftier half. But when, by that practice, one has become stable in rightfulness, where will be the need to think of wrong and sin? The very differentiation falls.

That is the state of transcendental oneness, non-dualness. This is what Krishna described (in the previous verse) as a singular, wholesome pursuit, where the Guru alone becomes the sole objective, refuge and anchor. From such a wholesome devotional mind, can any susceptibility for wrong sprout?

In other words, any thought and pursuit of many is disturbing, deterring to sound seeking. On the other hand, the thought of oneness, wholesomeness, is easy, safe and sustaining. It rids the mind of fear, doubt and indecision. The real import of the verse should not be missed. Krishna who gave this promise is no more available. But Bhagavad Gita still reigns in full glory and relevance. How? It is because of the intrinsic truth and worth of the very statement it makes!

Krishna asks for leaving all ideas of many. And in their place install, preserve and pursue the idea of one, oneness. In that case, is there any question of making a choice or discrimination? When one seeks refuge under ONE, that itself is liberating, liberation!

How can the one bind itself? Only when there exists a second factor, an interaction between the two will be possible. Here now there is altogether only one. Being so, it is free, unfettered. It is not that Krishna will come to liberate the seeker. No liberating will be necessary.

The thought and nurturing of oneness has itself the intrinsic effect of freeing oneself, in full, instantly. This is how scriptural revelations work, triumph and redeem! So Krishna’s statement stands by virtue of its own worth and truth. The outcome is irresistible indeed!