Each family is like a cell of the body. Different cell bodies, like individual members of the family, support each other for the overall survival of the body. A member of the family, say the grandparent, may act as the nucleus of the cell and may store the DNA that gives the sense of purpose to the family. They may also form a cell membrane to protect the family against external attacks. The bread-earner of the family may act like a chloroplast, which makes the food for the family, and the person handling the kitchen may act like mitochondria, which converts the food into energy so that different members of the family get sufficient energy to function properly.
Not all cells are alike. Not all families are alike. Some cells have different structures, like the cells of the lungs, which help them absorb oxygen. Some cells, like the cells of the brain, have very different functions to perform and therefore have very different constitutions and structures. Different families also have different structures and functions to perform. There is no doubt that each cell organelle is working for the smooth functioning of the cell, but at the same time, each cell is also working for the smooth functioning of the body as a whole. If a cell becomes selfish and starts harming the other cells of the body, it becomes cancerous, and the immune system of the body kills the same. If that is not killed, it will harm the whole body. That's what Krishna is telling Arjuna that the cancerous cells have to be killed because Arjuna is a part of the immunity system of the body. Even if some healthy cells have been contaminated by the cancerous cells, those cells also have to be killed to protect the whole body. Arjuna has no choice but to fight against Bhishma.
Why do we have divisions like the cell membrane? Why do all cells have a common nucleus? A common centre of command? We have only one centre of command in a small organisation. There is only one owner of the shop who decides everything. As the organisations grow, we have to have decentralisation. We have to create structures and systems that have their own command centre and yet are so intricately interlinked to each other. A big corporate group has so many companies, and each of the companies has its own board of directors and management and makes its own decisions. They have their own targets and work culture. Yet, they are all interlinked with the larger group and serve towards the common goal. The body is a very complex ecosystem, and that's why there can't be a common brain of each cell. Their needs and functions are different, and yet there is a common board for the overall directions in the form of the human brain.
The function of the cell membrane is not to isolate one cell from the rest of the body. That is cancerous. Rather, its function is to maintain the individuality of the cell so that it may perform the specific function assigned to it. It needs a particular ecosystem to function. That's how the divisions among families are not to isolate them from the rest of society. In fact, the human body's cells do not have an independent source of food. They do not have chloroplasts and therefore, the food reaches them through the cell membrane only. If the cell membranes are not porous, the cells will die due to the lack of food. The cell membranes are intelligent enough to allow the food to enter the cell plasma and prevent harmful elements from entering the cell. That's what Mahatma Gandhi said in simple words that we have to keep our windows open while keeping our feet firmly on the ground. As parents, we may try to protect our kids and family excessively. However, that will not work because then the cell organelle will become dysfunctional due to the lack of nutrients. That's why boundary walls have to be intelligent enough to understand the larger purpose of existence. To play an active role in the overall development of the body. Fraternity without compromising on individual dignity is the fundamental principle of the Constitution. That should be the foundation of each relationship.
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