by Brajanath Dasa<\/p>\n
Bhagavad-gita<\/em> is a conversation within a conversation. Dhritarashtra begins the Gita<\/em> by asking a question, and that is the last we hear of him. Sanjaya answers Dhritarashtra\u2019s question by relating what was happening on the battlefield. Sanjaya describes the situation and the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna \u2013 Arjuna asks questions and Krishna gives the answers. <\/p>\n Bhagavad-gita was spoken by the Lord to His dear friend and devotee Arjuna (the Lord says in Gita 4.3 ” bhakto \u2019si me sakh\u0101 ceti”<\/em> you are My devotee as well as My friend)<\/em> in the midst of the armies of both parties on the Battlefield – Kurukshetra when the war about to begin. The war was officially begun by the time Arjuna asks Krishna, “please draw my chariot between the two armies” (Gita 1.21\u201322 senayor ubhayor madhye<\/em>),yet no one from Kauravas side tried to kill\/attack Arjuna because Krishna as Hrishikesha controlled everyone to deliver the liberating message of Bhagavad-gita<\/em> to us. <\/em><\/p>\n Arjuna was the first disciple for understanding\/receiving Bhagavad-gita (in Gita 2.27 purport, Prabhupada writes ” K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is, therefore, the original spiritual master of the science of Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101,<\/em> and Arjuna is the \ufb01rst disciple for understanding the G\u012bt\u0101<\/em>“). Krishna says in Gita 4.2 that this knowledge which was received in disciple based succession has been broken, and now I am speaking this to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend (Gita 4.3). So in that sense, Arjuna is the first person after the break, ever since it was first spoken to the sun god. However, Arjuna did not disseminate this knowledge again to others after the war. Therefore, Arjuna is not listed in the discipline succession. Arjuna is a warrior, and he did his part as a warrior. He did not become a spiritual master and educate the masses, hence his name does not show in the succession. Even Vivasv\u0101n, Manu, Iksv\u0101ku (Gita 4.1) aren’t listed for the same reason.<\/p>\n While Kauravas and Pandavas were preparing for the war because all truce attempts failed, Srila Vyasadeva approached Dhritarastra to convince him not to go for the war. Dhritarashtra did not agree with Srila Vyasadeva’s advice. Finally, Srila Vyasadeva wanted to bless Dhritarastra with the vision to see the happening on the battlefield from his palace. Dhritarashtra politely refused because being blind, he had not seen his sons growing, and thus he was not daring enough to see them killing one another on the battlefield. He further requested Vyasadeva to sanction that boon to his secretary Sanjaya who could brief him the happenings on the battlefield. Thus, Vyasadeva sanctioned the divine vision to Sanjaya to see and narrate the happenings on the battlefield to Dhritarashtra until the end of the war. Sanjaya knows what was happening on the battlefield from the beginning, but he did not disclose it to Dhritarashtra because Dhritarastra did not ask him. Dhritarashtra did not ask Sanjaya because he was expecting the message of victory of his sons. His confidence was that the warriors on his side, like Bhisma, Drona and others could be conquered, even by Arjuna, so his sons’ victory was certain. Therefore, he did not ask Sanjaya for updates on the battle. On the eleventh day of the war, when he heard the news that Bhismadeva was shot down by Arjuna, he called Sanjaya and asks him “kim akurvata sa\u00f1jaya” <\/em>(what did they do?) (Gita 1.1).In response to this Sanjaya narrates the happenings to Dhritarashtra. <\/p>\n \u00b7Total verses in Bhagavad-gita<\/em> – 700<\/p>\n \u00b7Krishna spoke – 574 verses<\/p>\n \u00b7Arjuna spoke – 84 verses<\/p>\n \u00b7Sanjaya spoke – 41 verses<\/p>\n \u00b7Dhritarashtra spoke – 1 verse <\/p>\n In Bhagavad-gita, different personalities had different assumptions. For example;<\/p>\n Dhritarashtra had assumptions that his sons would win the war (Gita 1.1 Purport). He could not accept the wise advice of Vidura. He was so much affected by his affection for his son. Prabhupada mentioned that Dhritarashtra was not only materially blind, but he was also spiritually blind – devoid of spiritual vision. Therefore he could not see what was right and what was wrong, what should be done, what should not be done. Dhritarashtra did not accept Vidura’s advice until he lost everything.<\/p>\n Duryodhana had assumptions that he would win the war because his army’s strength is immeasurable \u2013 apary\u0101pta\u1e41 tad asm\u0101ka\u1e41 \u2013<\/em> Our strength is immeasurable, (Bg 1.10)- <\/p>\n \u2022 Aparyaptam <\/em>Srila Prabhupada translated as immeasurable (Bg 1.10). However, Srila Viswanatha Chakravarti Thakura has given an opposite meaning. Thus, depending upon which way the word is taken, the first line of the verse can mean either \u201cOur strength is immeasurable\u201d or \u201cOur strength is insufficient\u201d. <\/p>\n \u2022 When the first meaning is used, as it was by Srila Prabhupada: \u201c. . . and we are perfectly protected by Grandfather Bhisma.\u201d Bhisma became encouraged when he heard this meaning. <\/p>\n \u2022 The second meaning, however, was intended to encourage Dronacharya: \u201cOur strength is insufficient because we are protected by Bhisma, but Bhisma is concerned for the welfare of both sides, therefore he cannot use his full ability to fight against the Pandavas. Dronacharya took the second meaning, and he understood Duryodhana\u2019s message to be: \u201cOur strength is insufficient because of Bhisma\u2019s split loyalties.”<\/p>\n and Arjuna had assumptions (Gita 1.39 to Gita 1.43). <\/p>\n Four reasons did Arjuna give not to fight: <\/p>\n \u2022 Compassion<\/em>. Arjuna has deep compassion for those he is about to kill. He doesn\u2019t want to kill his loved ones (Verses 1.28 \u2013 1.30).<\/p>\n \u2022 Loss of Enjoyment<\/em>. This is a less noble reason. Arjuna knows it will be impossible for him to enjoy the kingdom if he winds it at the cost of the lives of his family members (Verses 1.31 \u2013 1.35)<\/p>\n \u2022 Fear of sinful reactions.<\/em> Arjuna thinks that the enjoyment of royal happiness is not worth the suffering he will have to undergo as a sinful reaction for destroying the family and killing his superiors (Verses 1.36 \u2013 1.38)<\/p>\n \u2022 Destruction of family traditions.<\/em> With the death of so many great ksatriyas,<\/em> irreligion will flourish. Unprotected women will be corrupted by unscrupulous men. Therefore, society will be overrun by unwanted progeny. The traditional Vedic rituals will no longer be performed because no one will be qualified to perform them, and thus hell will await both the family and the destroyer of the family (Verses 1.39 \u2013 1.43)<\/p>\n Regardless, after hearing Bhagavad-gita:<\/em><\/p>\n \u2022 Arjuna simply surrendered to Krishna won the war – kari\u1e63ye vacana\u1e41 tava – <\/em>I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions. (Gita 18.73)<\/p>\n \u2022 Dhritarashtra did not revisit his assumptions even after Sanjaya’s warning “Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.\u201d (Bg18.78) and lost everything. <\/p>\n \u2022 Duryodhana has so many great personalities like Bhisma, Drona-carya, Karna, Kripa, Asvatthama, Vikarn\u0323a , Bh\u016bri\u015brav\u0101- lined up with him. They are prepared to give up their lives (the impact of bad association) for him. The whole purpose of Asvatthama’s existence is just to please Duryodhana. But, all his diplomatic qualities are destroyed just because of one key negative quality. That one key negative quality of Duryodhana is his ENVY and IGNORANCE of Krishna, because with that one flaw all other flaws manifest. He saw all the warriors but did not see Krishna, the sole cause of his defeat!<\/p>\n According to the assumptions we cultivate our future which will either worsen, remain the same, or be improved. Let us boil down all of our assumptions down to one assumption only, which is to always fully please Krishna with every thought, word, and deed in all times, places, and circumstances. Sometimes our assumptions stem from misconceptions that need to be amended before we can understand the result\/answers. If we use the assumptions to strengthen our theory that certain types of things are less important than other things, we will be in a different situation. <\/p>\n Chanakya Pandita says <\/p>\n \u2022 If you want to be strong in spiritual life, you should think that you are going to die next moment.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you want to be successful materially, you should think you will never die. Otherwise, you cannot survive.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you want the goal to be an illusion, your initial assumption should also be an illusion. <\/p>\n The negative things in life are inevitable. We must realize that these are fruits of our own past actions. In fact, if we continue in this material world in material consciousness, we will have ever-endless negative things and disturbances in life, birth after birth. <\/p>\n So, therefore, when difficulties come, this is our chance to see how serious we are to enter genuine spiritual life. If we find that we are not yet very serious, we can try harder and go closer to those we see who are fixed up in devotional service. <\/p>\n If a person is always basing things simply upon his assumptions, sometimes his assumptions may be wrong, and he may land into problems. Isn’t it better to seek out proof for important matters? Srila Prabhupada said devotees should not speculate; therefore, why not take the time for important matters to research our answers sufficiently? <\/p>\n An assumption is an act of consciousness. Consciousness is awareness – awareness of the soul, the Supersoul, and their relationship is spiritual consciousness. As stated in Bg 8.5\u20138.6 – our consciousness at the end of life decides our next life. <\/p>\n Every problem that we encounter in our material life has (n+1<\/strong>) solutions, where \u201cn\u201d is the number of material solutions that we have tried or could try and \u201c1\u201d <\/strong>is that spiritual solution we have not yet tried. That is life. That \u201c1\u201d <\/strong>is foundinBhagavad Gita. One of the basic differences between Krishna and ourselves is, Krishna that gives, gives, gives, and forgives us, while we get, get, get, and forget Krishna. Let us be thankful to Krishna! <\/p>\n Since we are materially attached, we cannot think of Krishna for twenty-four hours. Therefore, Krishna is prescribing that “You see the varieties of this material world and try to remember Me.” We are very fortunate that we have got an opportunity to associate with Srila Prabhupada\u2019s vani<\/em> and hear about Krishna\u2019s teachings. Srila Prabhupada has the transcendental knife of clear spiritual knowledge. Our illusions will be cut up, our material attachments will be shredded, and we will dance our way back home to Godhead if we stay connected with Srila Prabhupada in any way. Almost all of us know that Srila Prabhupada\u2019s books are a great gift to all of humanity, right? Srila Prabhupada’s books are like nectar available so easily -without any effort of Samudra Manthan-Ocean Churning- because Srila Prabhupada has already taken the extensive pain to “churn” the Vedic literature and has gifted the NECTERIAN ESSENCE of Vedic literature to the entire humanity. By the divine potency of his books, the entire world is being inundated in a tidal wave of bhakti.<\/em><\/p>\n The living entities are created through the agency of the father and killed through the agency of death (SB 4.11.19). So, the life we lead in between b<\/strong>irth and d<\/strong>eath is our c<\/strong>hoice. When we face the truth about ourselves, we realize that we are utterly helpless and that only Krishna can help us. So, it is our c<\/strong>hoice whether we turn face to or back on Krishna. Fortunate are those who turn face to Krishna, even just a little bit, because, as Krishna says “svalpam asya dharmasya traayate mahato bhayaat<\/em>” – even a little endeavor on this path can save one from the greatest danger (Bg, 2,40). <\/p>\n Even little progress achieved on this path does not go in vain. And the soul gets opportunity by taking birth in good families (Gita 6.41) but still further progress ultimately depends on free will and the strength of mind. The efforts put up to strengthen the mind and intelligence never go into vain. <\/p>\n Many times, causeless mercy comes to our doorstep, but our free will rejects it. And some other times, there are no intentional or significant efforts towards God – rather we may be challenging to God-conscious people – and suddenly the causeless mercy showers on us, and the life changes. So, the combination of free will and causeless mercy is a real mystery. But ultimately the causeless mercy is the only thing that works at the final stage!<\/p>\n Krishna has given everyone something extraordinary, and to serve Krishna with one\u2019s extraordinary talent means successful life. So, anyone who takes to Krishna consciousness seriously is not an ordinary person, he must have taken the same process in his previous life. This is confirmed in Gita 6.43 and 6.44<\/p>\n Mahabharata,<\/em> for that matter, is a very wonderful eye opener for all of us. Mahabharata<\/em> actually gives in a very elaborate way, the understanding of what should be done and what should not be done. In this way, ultimately it comes to the point of surrendering to Krishna. What is the benefit when we surrender to Krishna and what is the disadvantage when we go against Krishna?<\/p>\n If one goes against Krishna, the ultimate result is going to be inauspicious. No matter how noble, how righteous the person may be, but the ultimate consideration is surrender to Krishna. That is why within Mahabharata,<\/em> Bhagavad-gita<\/em> has been placed as the crest jewel of this wonderful scripture. Krishna is always helping us or ready to help us provided we are ready to take His help. Krishna only \u2013 no one else helps at the most critical time.<\/p>\n The Bhagavad-gita<\/em> inspired Arjuna to fight in the war and the same Bhagavad-gita<\/em> inspired Arjuna after the war to perform his duties with all power, and finally to take renunciation. Bhagavad-gita is not meant to inspire to fight. Though it was spoken in the context of war but the content of Bhagavad-gita is about life. War and violence aren’t the contents of Gita.<\/em> Out of seven hundred verses, only a few verses spoke about the war. The rest of the Gita<\/em> explains how to live in and how to leave this world in consciousness of Krishna.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Bhagavad-gita inspired Arjuna to fight in the war and the same Bhagavad-gita inspired Arjuna after the war to perform his duties with all power, and finally to take renunciation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog-thoughts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=96547"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":96548,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96547\/revisions\/96548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=96547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=96547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=96547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}