Stubbornly stuck

yayā svapnaṃ bhayaṃ śokaṃ viṣādaṃ madameva cana vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī

The resolve by which the foolish will not let go of sleep, fear, grief, despair and pride, is heavy, Partha.

What it means

Krishna describes tamasic dhriti. Determination, but aimed the wrong way. Stubbornly holding on to oversleeping, fear, grief, despair and arrogance. Refusing to let them go. It's a strange kind of strength, the strength to stay stuck. Grief is natural. Clinging to it forever is what Krishna warns against.

The story

Arjuna clung to his grief all of that first morning. Krishna is gently showing him that letting go of it is not betrayal. It's healing.

In your life

If grief or despair has held you for a long time, please talk to someone, a friend or counsellor. Today, let go of one small heavy habit, even for an hour.