The Purpose of my Ministry: to see the world through their eyes and feel as they feel, an example from Gita 12

 

The purpose of my ministry is not to declare that we know your worldview (although it helps) and what it has to offer, but to genuinely see the world through their eyes to truly understand what agitates, inspires, or calms them—to feel as they feel. For example, in Gita 12, Krishna speaks of an ideal Devotee who treats both the foe and the friend equally. Those of us who view the text from a Western or Christian perspective might immediately ask: then, why did Krishna recommend Arjuna to participate in the war? Our question, shaped by our values, makes sense from how we perceive justice and peace in today's world.

 

Even so, the text is not written to answer this Western-oriented question. Instead, the text asks Arjuna a different question. If we look at the undergirding philosophical framework, we would see that in Krishna-Arjuna's worldview, doing one's duty honorably is the main concern. They define Dharma or righteousness as doing one's duty responsibly or honorably. If a person fails to do their duty, they are a failure and an embarrassment. Given this context, the text assumes that, for Arjuna, the right thing to do in this war is "fight his battles honorably."

 

In this context, the text intends to answer another question, not the one we project. It asks: If Arjuna faces friends as opponents, would it still be ethical to fight and perhaps kill or get killed by his frenemies? The answer is yes. That is, if Arjuna is a true devotee, treating friend and foe alike, he must do his duty, regardless. The right thing for Arjuna, in this war, to do is to fight for his side honorably without worrying about the fruits or results of his actions. If he renounces the fruits of his actions and does his duty faithfully by taking refuge in Krishna, Arjuna stays on the path to moksha and does not wander away from it.

 

Arjuna becomes the ideal Devotee: hating none, compassionate, even-minded in happiness or misery, forbearing, content, steady in meditation, firm in resolve (to fight honorably), fixing his mind and intellect on Krishna, renouncing his actions in him, and regarding him as his Supreme goal with exclusive devotion. Krishna promises that if Arjuna fixes his mind and intellect on him, he will, indubitably, dwell in Krishna consciousness, and Krishna will deliver him from the ocean of life and death because his mind is fixed on him. Krishna assures Arjuna that, whether he wins or loses this battle, by doing his duty faithfully, he will win the cosmic war of Dharma.

 

Those who follow the path of this immortal Dharma with steadfast devotion and faith are exceedingly dear to Krishna. Thus, Krishna answers Arjuna's original question, "Who is a better Yogi: the ones who fix their mind on the formless Brahman or those who worship Krishna's personal form with steadfast devotion?" In Krishna's view, the path of realisation is exceedingly difficult for those who seek the formless Brahman as long as they are embodied. But the ones who fix their mind on Krishna and worship him, Krishna considers them the best Yogis.

 

If we understand the text's context, our questions would be remarkably different. Instead of asking, "Is it just for Arjuna to fight this war if he considers friend and foe alike?" We would ask: "What if Arjuna's friends are opposing him? Would it still be just for Arjuna to go ahead and fulfill his duty in the war responsibly?" Of course, if Arjuna considers friend and foe alike, he must go ahead and fight for the just cause, whether it brings happiness or misery, honor or dishonor, praise or blame. If he is attached to Krishna and has renounced his actions in him, he will be free from all other attachments that delude his consciousness and make him vulnerable.

 

Consequently, content with any result, steady and devoted, Arjuna will fight the war, dedicating all his actions to Bhagwan. He will fight the war for Krishna’s sake. Since Arjuna has renounced the fruits of his actions by taking refuge in Krishna, peace shall follow his renunciation. In essence, he can be at peace even while engaged in a violent war. Thus, by truly seeing through another's eyes—as Krishna asks Arjuna to— we move beyond our own projections and embrace a deeper connection with the world around us. This is the heart of the teaching: to unite action with compassion, perception with empathy, and duty with selfless devotion.

 

In sum, the essence of my ministry is to see the world through others' eyes, understanding what motivates or soothes them. Rather than claiming expertise, we connect by sharing perspectives. When Western readers question Krishna’s advice to fight, they impose their context on the text. The text’s actual dilemma: Can duty override passions and attachments? For Arjuna, the answer is yes—honor one's duty above all. Comparing worldviews, the text challenges us to move from emotional instincts to the principle of duty.

 

Instead of asking, 'Is it just for Arjuna to fight the war if he treats friend and foe alike?'—which mirrors our concerns—it compels us to ask, 'Is Arjuna still bound to duty if friends oppose him?' For Krishna and Arjuna, detachment and duty outweigh emotion or fairness. Right action stems from transcending personal attachment—this is true righteousness within their worldview, not fairness or emotion. True detachment means Arjuna should fight honorably, unconcerned with the outcome. Thus, Arjuna’s path remains righteous and transcends the ordinary view of ethics.