The Journey to Spiritual Maturity
Arjuna’s doubts in the Bhagavad Gita mirror our own spiritual struggles. Learn how remembrance and commitment lead to spiritual maturity.
Contents
The Choice to Step Onto the Path
The Battle Within: Forgetfulness and Resistance
The Cycle of Forgetting and Remembering
Three Moments with the Bow: A Symbol of Spiritual Readiness
Spiritual Maturity: Walking the Path with Awareness
The Laugh of Krishna: Divine Remembrance
Spiritual maturity is more than knowledge—it is the willingness to live fully in alignment with our Dharma, even when faced with challenges and doubts.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna’s inner struggle mirrors our own. He arrives at the battlefield, ready to reclaim the kingdom, but soon falls into confusion and despair. Though he consciously chose this battle, he begins to doubt his own readiness.
This is the journey of every spiritual seeker. We make a commitment to the path, yet at times, we forget why we began. Doubt sets in. The spiritual path calls us to transformation, but change can feel overwhelming. What does it mean to fully embrace our Dharma with spiritual maturity?
The Choice to Step Onto the Path
Arjuna was not simply placed on the battlefield—he chose to be there. He committed to the battle, understanding that it was his duty. He also chose Krishna as his charioteer, his divine support. Yet, when he faces the reality of what lies ahead, he hesitates.
Like Arjuna, we, too, make the choice to step onto the spiritual path. We choose meditation, self-discipline, and conscious living. But when challenges arise, we sometimes falter. Questions surface:
• How will I find time for my practice?
• Will my relationships change if I commit to this path?
• Am I truly ready for transformation?
Spiritual maturity requires recognizing that doubt is part of the process. The key is remembering why we made the choice in the first place.
"Spiritual maturity is learning how to have that highest wisdom and have it inform the choices that we make, and not use it as a way to escape from the world."
—Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
The Battle Within: Forgetfulness and Resistance
What causes Arjuna’s despair? It is not that he was unaware of the battle—he knew this day would come. His despair comes from forgetfulness. He forgets:
- That he consciously chose this path.
- That it is his Dharma, his soul’s purpose.
- That Krishna, the Divine, is with him.
This forgetfulness is common in spiritual life. We experience moments of deep clarity, only to later fall into doubt. But just as Krishna remains with Arjuna, guiding him back to truth, divine support is always present within us.
The Cycle of Forgetting and Remembering
There is a story in the Mahabharata where, long after the battle, Arjuna turns to Krishna and says, I remember we had an important conversation on the battlefield… but I have forgotten what you told me. Can you repeat it?
Krishna smiles, but he does not repeat the same teaching. Instead, he gives a new discourse, known as the Anu Gita (the Secondary Gita).
This story reveals a profound truth—spiritual wisdom is not just information. It is a living experience, woven into the fabric of our lives. When we forget, we must return to our practice, to our commitment, and to divine remembrance.
Three Moments with the Bow: A Symbol of Spiritual Readiness
In the first two chapters of the Gita, Arjuna’s bow—symbolizing his strength and readiness—undergoes three movements:
- Lifting the Bow – At first, Arjuna holds his bow high, ready for battle. This represents our initial commitment to the path, standing firm in our Dharma.
- The Bow Slipping – As doubts arise, his grip weakens. This reflects how confusion often stems from fear, not from lack of knowledge. We know our Dharma but hesitate to act.
- Throwing the Bow Down – Finally, overwhelmed, Arjuna drops his bow in defiance. He rationalizes inaction, convincing himself that withdrawing is the right choice.
Yet, as readers, we know that Arjuna cannot truly walk away—he is already on the battlefield. In the same way, once we commit to the spiritual path, we know it is ours to walk. Avoidance may delay progress, but it cannot erase our soul’s calling.
Spiritual Maturity: Walking the Path with Awareness
Arjuna tries to use spiritual philosophy as a reason to withdraw. He argues that all beings are eternal, so why engage in battle? But Krishna does not accept this rationalization. He reminds Arjuna that true wisdom is not an excuse to avoid life—it is the very reason to engage fully.
Spiritual maturity is the ability to live in the world, fulfilling our Dharma, while holding the awareness of eternal truth. We do not use spiritual teachings to escape responsibility, but to illuminate the right course of action.
The Laugh of Krishna: Divine Remembrance
At a key moment in the Gita, as Arjuna continues lamenting, Krishna smiles. Some translations even describe Krishna laughing.
This is not laughter at Arjuna’s struggle—it is the laugh of divine remembrance. It is a call to wake up.
Many of us have experienced this from a great teacher. In moments of despair, when we list our struggles, they gently laugh—not in dismissal, but in a way that reminds us: Don’t you see? Don’t you remember?
Krishna’s laughter invites us to step back, to recall our purpose, and to trust the path ahead.
Moving Forward: Remembering What We Have Chosen
Arjuna’s journey is our own. As we walk the spiritual path, we will face doubts. We will forget. But we will also remember.
- What choices have I already made in my spiritual life?
- What doubts hold me back from fully committing?
- How can I strengthen my remembrance of my Dharma?
The Bhagavad Gita assures us: We are not alone in this journey. The divine presence is always guiding us, reminding us of the truth we already know.
Listen to the full podcast episode below.
Bhagavad Gita, pt 3: Know Your Dharma, Change Your Life
Continuing with Chapter 1, we look at how our presence in the world following our Dharma and awareness that life is eternal allows spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is obtaining that highest insight and using it to inform the choices we make, as opposed to using it as a means to escape from the world and our duties.
Dive Deeper into Dharma Teachings and Practices
Drawing from the reservoir of Vedic wisdom and the principles of yoga, the Dharma 365! Live Your Higher Purpose online course outlines the path to a life of higher purpose. The course provide a comprehensive immersion in dharma studies and practices for discovering your higher purpose and living it every day with heart and meaning.
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