The excessive attachment of Dhritarashtra towards his sons became the cause of the war. This attachment also gave rise to hatred in his mind towards the Pandavas. If he had thought, 'The Pandavas are also mine, they are like my own sons, they are my brother's children,' this conflict would never have arisen, and there would have been no war.

If viewed justly, both had equal rights over the kingdom. Wherever the feeling of 'these are mine, those are others' exists, it is called a sense of rivalry. Where this sense of rivalry arises—whether regarding land, education, or art—there, sooner or later, conflict or war is inevitable.

This feeling is what initiates any war, be it between kingdoms or within households:

• 'This is mine, that is theirs.'
• 'They were given, I was not.'
• 'They got more, I got less.'
• 'My children, my brother's children.'
• 'My family, their family.'

Wherever you hear such words, understand that a war like Mahabharata is bound to begin soon.

The message of the Gita is to abandon attachment and aversion. Do the work that comes to you as your duty. That action will be considered righteous action. As long as you do not chase after it blindly, it remains your rightful duty.

Dhritarashtra's duty was to uphold the Kshatriya dharma, but he was not impartial. He allowed attachment towards his sons and hatred towards his brother's sons to influence him.

From start to finish, the Gita teaches to renounce this sense of attachment. Attachment is a mental weakness; it is not rooted in intelligence. Act with wisdom, not under the influence of emotions. This is the message of the Gita.

Use your intellect in every situation to discern whether it is dharma or adharma. Do not listen to the mind; listen to reason.

The matter is straightforward:

• What caused the war? Attachment.
• Who lost? Those who acted with attachment, the Kauravas.
• Who won? Those who acted with wisdom and righteousness, the Pandavas.

Following the mind leads to adharma. Acting with intellect rooted in discernment leads to dharma.

Let me give an example. During the lockdown near Mumbai, two saints were killed. It was a tragic incident. In that area, social media spread rumors about child kidnappers. These saints were traveling to Gujarat to attend a funeral, and suspicion arose against them. They were killed due to these baseless rumors.

This is how the mind works. Those who blindly forward such messages without thinking are equally responsible for these killings, along with those who directly committed the act. All will have to face the consequences.

Before forwarding or sharing anything, do we even think about its impact?

For instance, during the pandemic, a person returned from the city to his village and spread COVID-19 to many. Suspicion fell on all returning villagers. No one could go to their villages; many were left hungry on the roads. What right do we have to spread such rumors?

Let the government handle its responsibilities. Why are we interfering? This is the mind's doing, not the intellect's.

Without thinking, if we spread false or careless news, and even one person goes hungry because of it for even a single day, don’t you think you would have to face its consequences?

Do not act emotionally. The mind creates attachment, hatred, and fear. That is why you must act with wisdom.

This is the message of the Gita.

What is the difference between the mind and intellect? The mind is present in everyone; intellect is developed. Intellect needs to be cultivated through listening to good teachings and reading scriptures like the Gita.

Knowledge Bank

Is going to swarga the same as getting moksha?

The answer is no. In swarga, one can enjoy great pleasures. Swarga is a reward for good deeds done on earth. But after some time, you will have to take birth on earth again. Moksha means the permanent end of births and deaths.

Power of truth

He who follows the path of truth achieves greatness. Falsehood leads to ruin, but truth brings glory. – Mahabharata