The Bhagavad-Gita is a poem that explores philosophical themes about morality and the duality of mind. The narrative takes place on a battle field where the great warrior Arjuna finds himself torn with the idea that he is about to wage war against family members and friends with whom he had grown up with in the same village. Arjuna is accompanied on his chariot by the physical incarnation of the god Krishna, and he asks Krishna why he feels so wrong about fighting his family; even though he is in the right. The lord assures Arjuna that it is in his right to take action, that it is only his mind that torments him and not the reality of the given situation.
Arjuna is mentally anguished with the idea of killing the people he loves, but all events in his life have led to that moment in time where action was necessary for the sake of his honor. Krishna indicates that the lack of action in a scenario where it is needed is considered evil. I agree that certain consequences follow even if you haven’t taken an opportunity when it was there for you. The dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna certainly explores the metaphysical ideas of the eastern part of the world. Krishna states “Gradually let him find rest, his intellect under control, his mind established in the self, not thinking about anything.” (p.1297 L.25) Krishna wants Arjuna to let go if his rational thinking, and to find the self or soul if you will. I feel that it is the intuitive part of the mind that Krishna is describing and so would many western philosophers whose ideas correlate with that same passage from the Bhagavad-Gita. The famous 19th century philosopher Hegel believed that mind recognizing itself as the ultimate reality would lead to absolute freedom. Krishna emphasizes that to Arjuna, to let events happen as they should, and that he should act according to the selfless mind.

1.) Given the time period and the lack of a Democratic government to enforce justice, would it be right to kill someone even if your in the right to do so?

2.) Ancient masters and sages have emphasized the dual split in the mind throughout the ages, in our time could it be more evident now then say 2400 years ago?