Question: My question is about Arjuna’s softhearted, devotee-like nature, and not so Ksatriya-like nature. Varnashrama divisions are based on nature and not by birth. Though one may be born in any one of the varnas, one can be elevated to the position of a Vaishnava by practice of devotional service. Right? Arjuna was a Ksatriya, but on the battlefield he did not want to fight because he was also a devotee and softhearted by nature. I understand that some of Arjuna’s reactions were due to material conceptions and attachments. [Editor’s note: Refer BG 1.28-30 purports, for a discussion on why Arjuna refused to fight.]
My questions are:-
Part 1. Once someone comes to devotional service, can their nature (according to Varnashrama system) change and therefore their occupation also? Or do they have to still continue with their prescribed duty?
Answer by Romapada Swami: A person’s propensities may or may not change by taking to devotional service. Whatever stage of bhakti in which one is situated, as one progresses in devotional service, they are gradually elevated to the brahminical status or mode of goodness, (and ultimately beyond mode of goodness). Thus one becomes increasingly austere, self-controlled, clean, truthful etc., but one’s propensities towards work may or may not change. For instance, a person with artistic or administrative tendencies may not become a scholarly, studious person, but they can continue to serve Krishna with whatever qualities and tendencies they have, under the guidance of a pure devotee.
When someone becomes completely transcendental, then they actually are not bound to any social duties, but are spontaneously attracted to serve Krishna. Even then, one might continue to function within their previous occupational duties in service to Krishna, just as Nanda Maharaja was the king of the cowherds. On the other hand, being transcendental, they can function in any other capacity also, if service to Guru and Krishna requires it. Someone functioning as a brahmana may take up some administrative role when called upon to do so, for example.
Part 2. A hypothetical question – If Arjuna did not have material conceptions but just reacted the way he did out of compassion because he was a pure devotee – would that be right?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Any action is judged based on how much it is pleasing to the Supreme Lord. That is the ultimate criterion. Krishna’s will was that the unrighteous should be vanquished. One who is situated on the platform of pure devotion will make no other consideration than executing the Lord’s plan.
It is noteworthy that Srila Prabhupada simultaneously lauds the soft-heartedness of Ajuna, and in the same breath criticizes the materialistic calculations of Arjuna’s arguments against fighting (BG 1.28-36 purports). The soft-hearted nature in itself is virtuous for a Vaishnava; but if it comes in the way of one’s surrender and service to the Lord, it has no meaning. I such a circumstance, soft-heartedness can be understood to be acting as a material conception. This is an important conclusion of the message of Bhagavad-gita: no matter how lofty or noble an act may appear to be, it is worthless when divorced from loving service to the Supreme Lord. BG 1.28-36
