BHAGAVAD GITA
(THE COMPLETE YOGA SASTRA)
CHAPTER.II-SAMKHYA YOGA
Arjuna Vuvaacha : Arjuna continues to explain his opposition to war further to Lord Krishna :
CHAPTER.2. VERSE.05
Guroonahatvaa hi Mahaanubhaavaan sreyo bhokthum Bhaikshyamapeeha loke |
Hatvaarthakaamaamstu Guroonihaiva bhunjeeya bhogaanrudhirapradigdhaan ||
Hatvaarthakaamaamstu Guroonihaiva bhunjeeya bhogaanrudhirapradigdhaan ||
Meaning :
"Instead of slaying these Great, illustrous Gurus, it is even better for me to live by eating what alms I get through begging. On the other hand, if I kill them, all that I get as wealth and desire-fulfilling objects for my enjoyment will be stained with (their) blood. "
In this sloka, Arjuna was continuing to explain his strong opposition to killing the Great Gurus like Bheeshma and Drona. Bheeshma was not only Arjuna's Grand-Sire but also a Guru who taught him many lessons of life. Drona was his most beloved Guru who taught him all the skills of warfare. Kripacharya was another Guru of the Kuru dynasty.
How could Arjuna ever think of fighting them and killing them in war? Arjuna and Pandavas might get a Big Kingdom and all its accompaniments like wealth and pleasures. But, Arjuna would always remember the killing of his Gurus and would never be able to enjoy the kingdom and its pleasures that he would get by killing them in the war.
How could Arjuna ever think of fighting them and killing them in war? Arjuna and Pandavas might get a Big Kingdom and all its accompaniments like wealth and pleasures. But, Arjuna would always remember the killing of his Gurus and would never be able to enjoy the kingdom and its pleasures that he would get by killing them in the war.
CHAPTER.2.VERSE.06
Na Chaitadvidmah kataranno gareeyo yadvaa jayema yadi vaa no jayeyuh |
yaaneva hatvaa jijeevishaamastevasthitaah pramukhe dhaartaraashtraah ||
yaaneva hatvaa jijeevishaamastevasthitaah pramukhe dhaartaraashtraah ||
Meaning :
" I do not know whether it is better that I should conquer them or they should conquer us. These very sons of Dhritaraashtra, after slaying whom, we should not be desiring even to live, are standing before us (to fight us in this war)."
Arjuna said, he was unable to understand why he should at all conquer the sons of Dhritarasshtra, who were, after all, his cousins, with whom the Pandavas grew together and learnt all the skills of war and statecraft. What was the great achievement in killing one's own brothers in war, just for the sake of a kingdom? Arjuna was wondering whether it would be better to allow the Kauravas to win in this war rather than the Pandavas winning it.
We, the readers, will be wondering why Arjuna should be in so much confusion, dilemma and sorrow. He is one warrior, who is most prepared for this war.No one else has prepared himself for the war - as much he has.
After all, they were fighting for their just share of the kingdom.And, Duryodhana so arrogantly had told that he would not cede space equal to the sharp edge of a pin even, to the Pandavas.
We, the readers, will be wondering why Arjuna should be in so much confusion, dilemma and sorrow. He is one warrior, who is most prepared for this war.No one else has prepared himself for the war - as much he has.
After all, they were fighting for their just share of the kingdom.And, Duryodhana so arrogantly had told that he would not cede space equal to the sharp edge of a pin even, to the Pandavas.
Also, Duryodhana, Dussaasana and Karna had humiliated their Dharma Patni, their duly wedded wife, Draupadi, by trying to disrobe her, in front of all people and all elders in the open court. As Husbands and as Kshatriyas, it was their bounden duty to punish the Kauravas. In fact, Arjuna and Bheema had vowed to punish them for all their evil deeds. Arjuna knows that Kauravas were evil and were worst sinners in many respects.
As Kshatriya, he was duty bound to do so. Further, Pandavas had entered the war with full knowledge of all these facts. War was the final decision - after all other conciliatory and peace efforts failed. None other than Lord Krishna himself brokered between them and failed to talk sense into the Kauravas. After all other efforts failed, Yudhishtir, the eldest of Pandavas, himself had taken the decision to go for war. All younger brothers and Draupadi had accepted the decision.
Now, 7 Akshauhinis of warriors are assembled on their side. 11 Akshouhinis are assembled on the side of Kauravas. Bheeshma, Drona and others had also blown their Conches as a signasl for the start of the war and to enthuse their army.Krishna and Arjuna and all Pandavas also had blown their Conches to enthuse their own army.
After so much has happened, now, Arjuna falls into desperation, sorrow, pity, remorse, aversion to kill enemies, aversion to wage war and so on. He has totally forgotten the very purpose of this war.
Getting away from this war is no more an option for Arjuna - and yet, that is what he says, he wants.
Righteousness or Dharma, as it is called, is beyond our likes and dislikes; beyond our own people and other people. It is neutral. It is above the dualities. But, most often, people take sides based on likes and dislikes;based on own people and other people. But, for Dharma, there is no distinction between own people and other people. what we like and dislike are both subject to the same dharma.
One who rises above one's own likes and dislikes only can perceive Dharma in its purest form. Others cannot. Right now, Arjuna is a slave for his likes and dislikes. his dilemma is - how can I kill my own people, though, i admit, that they are sinners?
Who will give him answers to his questions? And, when?...And, why? Even if one does give answers , is Arjuna in a fit condition to receive them?
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