I have also felt very strongly on the point Swami RSD makes. This is something I learnt probably in the 10th standard.. the strength with which one has to follow one's conscience/conviction vs always being brainwashed by other wellwishers.

My own biggest problem is not other wellwishers but myself! As long as I can stop being brainwashed by myself I'll be happy :)

Btw, just to clarify what Swami Ramsukhdasji has actually written -- He doesn't say that the guru, scriptures, etc mislead. He says that even if the guru etc give sound advice, one who does not follow the dictates of conscience cannot possibly benefit from it.

I'm confused, because it's pretty clear that Arjuna's conscience says that this terrible war is wrong, and it's Krishna who initially at least tries to strongarm him into the action. Or, are you saying Arjuna's real conscience is Krishna?

To clarify what I was saying before and why Shri RSD's comment struck a nerve in me:

I have heard plenty from 'elders' all life, most of which being good advice, but it really means nothing until it can be applied in situations in my own life, and only if I myself truly believe in it, internalize it, and apply it in with the relevant variations needed for the place, time, situation. Sometimes, others will repeat/say things for me to do in these different places/times/situations which wont make sense even though the principles they base their advice on may be things I agree with. This is where it is important to use one's conscience in a more steadfast manner than just take elders' counsel blindly.

The culprit is usually the feeling of "oh! they are so experienced. they mean well for me always. doing what they say must be the right thing for me obviously". There are many flaws in following the equation "meaning well" = "right thing". Of course, every guru (and Krishna here) will mean the right thing. That is a given. But, the specific well-wishee must mould his own conscience over time with all these advices to be able to resort to it in the future. If the person is not sure their own conscience is trustworthy, then it is very hard to live life.

Mani, my understanding is as follows:

Arjuna had no problems in the lead up to the war and even right until Krishna showed him his opponents. So, I think, he is unclear about whether these feelings of his are in accordance to his conscience or not. He realizes that his true nature has been eclipsed and mentions this in 2.7 -- कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः . Because of this he does not trust the source of his inner voice and judgment.