Merry Christmas!!
Here are the questions we tackled (or at least attempted to) before we started studying Bhagavad Gita. It is our endeavor to return to these questions at the end of each chapter and observe how our answers change over the period. What do we learn as we proceed...
On the question of need of Chapter 1 :
One opinion is that Chapter 1 shows the state of human mind confused by the opposite pulls of multiple Dharma. One dharma dictates to Arjuna to fight, to respond, to the challenge posed by Suyodhana, while another questions his instincts (actions?) by pointing out that he will be the cause of destruction of his kula and the killer of the ones he holds in high respect. He is forced to fight (to kill) his grandsire Bheeshma and Guru Drona. The ordinary human mind is pulled in multiple directions, each seemingly the dharma that he MUST follow. One dictates action and attention in a direction, yet, the very next moment another dharma takes over and demands equal attention in a different direction. How should man determine which dharma to follow, OR, should he perform an energy sapping juggling act?
Some other questions were:
o Why should we take up Bhagavad Gita?
o What do expect to learn from it?
o What is the attitude with which we read Bhagavad Gita?
o Why Gitopadesh was for to Arjuna, why not Yudhishtra or Bheeshma or Bheema?
o Why did Bhagavan teach the Gita to Arjuna at the war-zone, why not somewhere else?
Bhagavad Gita teaches the essence of Dharma. By studying it we expect resolution of the Dharma-conflict raised in Chapter 1. However, for this we do need a degree of sustained concentration and attentive/active patience. Arjuna displayed these characteristic and is rewarded at the end of Gitopdesh when he proclaims "... my doubts are cleared, I'll perform as you instruct". Hopefully, by the end of chapter 18, we too reach a state equal to Arjuna.... (at least in theory, if not in practice). :)
Krishna taught Arjuna the Gita because Arjuna was ready for the lessons. His sharp mind and penetrative questioning laid bare the dharmic dilemma. Most importantly, Arjuna accepted Krishna as his teacher and was prepared to give up everything to follow the teachings. It is (metaphorically) symbolic that the conversation takes place in battle field. When a warrior enters the battle field, he detaches himself from everything. Here he stands alone, absolutely _alone_. This aloneness tests Arjuna's conviction of principles he lived by till then. He sees with immense clarity the conflicting life he has lead till. Multiple inviolable principles of life stand to be desecrated if he pursued any course of action. At this moment life stood 'still' for him as no course of action seemed sanctioned by dharma. Bhagawan Krishna leads him out of the confusion.
1 comment:
Why was Geetha taught to Arjuna
Arjuna was one of the great warriors from both the sides.If this was the reason for Krishna to teach him Geetha,He could have given the same to Bheema(embodiment of strength),Yudhishtir(embodiment of truth).It was an act of Grace from the Lord.Krishna chose Arjuna as an instrument to give the whole world the message of Geetha.
So it was an act of Grace by Krishna on Arjuna.It was not the case of Arjuna deserving that chance,because there were people of equal or more caliber than Arjuna himself.
Secondly Krishna chose Arjuna because he was the key player in the war.Untill Kauravas killed him,the war wasn't over.Only two people could kill him.One was Bheeshma who had already declared that he would not kill Arjuna and the second was Karna who could not fight as long as Bheeshma was in the battlefield.If the key player of the team is demoralised then it effects the confidence of the whole team.So Krishna,to lift the spirit of Arjuna took this as an oppurtunity to teach Geetha to the whole world through Arjuna.
Thirdly Arjuna was not only a great devotee of Krishna,he was also his very close friend.Krishna gave the great favour to his friend.
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