The Yoga of Knowledge

Krishna shifts from opportunity to consequence. 'Dharmyaṁ saṅgrāmam na kariṣyasi' (if you don't fight this righteous battle)—refusing to act isn't neutral; it's active abandonment. You can't 'not choose.' 'Sva-dharmam hitvā' (abandoning own duty)—the core issue. As protector-warrior, Arjuna's refusal harms those depending on him. 'Pāpam avāpsyasi' (you will incur sin)—not divine punishment but natural consequence, like ignoring health and getting sick. The challenge: sometimes 'doing nothing' feels safe but is harmful. Inaction when action is required isn't innocence. Context matters: Arjuna's specific situation (exhausted peace efforts, genuine injustice, warrior nature) makes refusal adharmic—but a different situation might make refusal dharmic. Wisdom is discerning which is which.