Chapter 1.

Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Arjuna’s Confusion, Dilemma

Erosion of Will and Discrimination

The Main Topics of Chapter One are:

1. Description of the scene of battle field.
2. Description of Arjuna’s bewilderment and dilemma.

SUMMARY

Bhagavad Gita starts with the scene of the battlefield at Kurukhetra, which is also the field of resolution of Dharma,  with armies of both sides ready for action.  It is the time of test of the ability, skill, courage and decisive action of Arjuna, the great warrior on the Pandavas’ side.  The Divine Being, Sri Krishna, is holding the reigns and driving Arjuna’s  chariot.  The first chapter portrays the scene of the battle field and the dilemma that takes hold of Arjuna, at the moment the battle is about to start.  This is extremely significant since it sets the stage for the purpose and significance the Bhagavad Gita.

When the battle was just about get underway,  Arjuna views the array of army on the opposite side of the battle field.  It strikes him that everyone there is his own person. Among them are father figures, preceptors, brothers, children, grand children, friends, relatives – everyone his own clan!  This awareness of filial bond, blood connection with everyone he is expected to vanquish, brought about an out pouring from his heart a feeling of affection, respect, reverence, love and devotion towards them.  He is stuck aghast at the colossal destructive consequences of his participating in the gruesome war. He starts to question all the principles he has held dear and upheld so far.  Along with it came a total collapse of all his physical and mental strength,  lips parched, hairs standing on ends, body trembling, unable to stand, his head in a whirl.  

Arjuna at this critical juncture declares to SriKrishna that he saw no merit in participating in this war which would result in destruction of all ‘his own people’.  Arjuna, full of pity, says that it would be wise for him to not take part in this war.  He further reasons that it would be better for him to stay away from the battle in the interest of protecting his clan, the honor of the women folk, preserving the traditions, preventing blood shed and not causing confusion in societal harmony.  Arjuna also declares that it would be generous on his part to show compassion and forgiveness for the ill-minded cousin and his helpers.  Arjuna also reasons that he would be free from the demerit of dishonoring his elders and teachers.  Arjuna feels that it would be better for him to beg and be a mendicant than own a kingdom after causing the above horrible acts.  Arjuna drops his Divine bow, Gaandeeva, and full of pity, collapses and sits in his chariot.

SIGNIFICANCE

From the scene of Chapter 1, it can be seen that in Arjuna’s reasoning there are noble emotions and high values like:

• Necessity of compassion, Forgiveness.
• Fear of action not pleasing to God.
• Not being overly interested in material pleasure.
• Interest in the well being of society.

The questions that arise from this are :

• When is compassion, forgiveness appropriate?
• What is the basis to decide doable and not-doable actions?
• What is the basis to decide the course of right action?
• What is the basis to decide one’s duty?
• When is killing justified?
• Is it possible to participate in a war causing blood shed and not incur any demerit or blame for disturbing the natural order?
• When caught in a subtle position of choosing between equally profound values, for example:  respect for teacher vs personal duty and honor, duty toward family members vs community or country,  personal respect and honor vs that of the community etc…), how does one decide the right course of action?
• When is one justified in showing indifference to material comforts and turn away from his duties vs striving for material comfort, rights, peace and security for one’s community, country? 
• Is there a law that gives a basis to evaluate if Arjuna’s reasoning is right?
• Does Arjuna reconsider his conclusions again in a new light?  What is the outcome?

In the rest of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna unfolds this universal, human enigma of Right Action.  Lord SriKrishna delineates how one can carry out one’s duties and reach the highest possible perfected state of the human being, serve the best interests of the society, maintain inner calm and wisdom free from any mental anguish and fear.

CONTENTS

Scene of Battle field.

The Bhagavad Gita starts with the King Dhritarashtra asking Sanjaya as to what his Sons and the Pandavas were doing at the battle of Kurukshetra, which is also Dharmakshetra (field of resolution of  Dharma). BG 1:1.

Sanjaya says: “Duryodhana (the eldest son of king Dhritarashtra), having viewed the array of Pandava’s army,  approached his preceptor, Dronacharya , spoke to him thus.  On the Pandava’s side is your able student  Drushtadyumna, mighty warriors equal to Bheema and Arjuna – Yuyudhana, Virata, Drupada, Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, Purujit Kuntibhoja, Shaibya, Yudhamanyu, Uttamouja, Subhadra’s son Abhimanyu, the five sons of Draupadi.  Now I will indicate the most distinguished warriors on our side. They are yourself, Bhishma, Karna, Krupa, Ashwathama, Vikarna, Somadatta and many great warriors who are willing to sacrifice for my sake.  Limited is the army of Pandavas, protected by Bhima, whereas our army is unlimited, protected by Bhishma.  All of you take your respective positions and guard Bhishma on all sides”.  BG 1: 2-11.

“Bhishma blew his conch showing his exhilaration (an indication of readiness for the battle), many battle instruments roared simultaneously.  At this juncture Sri Krishna (Charioteer of Arjuna) and Arjuna blew their Divine conches.  Sri Krishna blew his Panchjanya, Arjuna his Devadatta, Bhima blew Paundra, Yudhishthira blew Anantavijaya, Nakula and Sahavedeva blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka.  Similarly others blew their individual conches.  The renting sound shook the earth and ripped the hearts of the Kauravas”. BG 1:12-19.

“At this juncture Arjuna, seeing the battle array of Dhritarashtra’s sons and the flight of weapons about to start,  lifted his bow, Gaandeeva, requested Sri Krishna to take his chariot to the middle of the battlefield, so that he could view the well-wishers of evil-minded Duryodhana that he needed to fight with.  Sri Krishna takes the best of the chariots between the two armies and says  -Arjuna – look at the army of Kauravas”. BG 1: 20-23.

“Arjuna sees that standing on the opposite side are his uncles, elders, preceptors, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, comrades, fathers-in-law, well-wishers.  He is overcome by pity and compassion, says thus in sadness”.  BG 1:24-25.

Arjuna’s Confusion and Dilemma.

Arjuna says to SriKrishna: “seeing my own people facing me in the battle field, my limbs are collapsing, my mouth is parched dry,  my body is trembling, my hair is standing, my bow is slipping from my hand, my body seems to be on fire.  I am unable to stand, my mind is in whirl, I am seeing bad omens, I see no good by killing my own people, I do not wish for victory or kingdom or comforts”.  BG 1: 26-31.

Arjuna further says:

• “Killing ones own people does not lead to any good, I will not kill them even if I get killed”.
•  “I do not want victory”.
• “What is the use of kingdom, wealth etc.?”
• “I do not wish to kill the preceptors, elders and sons even if I get killed”
• “What is use of living when all our people are gone?”
• “Even if the Kauravas are unwise, how can we be unwise”?
• “We will incur only the displeasure of the Divine for this heinous act”.
• “We should not give in to greed”.
• “We will be responsible for destruction of our clan”.
• “We will incur the demerit of letting friends down”.
• “The family traditions will suffer”.
• “With fall of Dharma, Adharma will rise”.
• “Women folk will not be protected”.
• “There will be confusion of duties”.
• “When duties are not followed, it leads to hell”.
• “The offerings to forefathers will suffer”.
• “That would lead to permanent impairment of social order”.
• “Rather than me being responsible for all these ill effects,  I will be happier if Kauravas kill me being unarmed, me not retaliating in return”.

Having said this, Arjuna throws down his Divine bow (Gaandeeva), is overcome by sorrow, collapses and sits in his chariot.  BG 1: 24-47.

OM TAT SAT

This concludes the Chapter One entitled  ‘Dejection of Arjuna’ (‘Arjuna Vishada Yoga‘) in the dialogue between SriKrishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita Upanishad (Upanishad told by the Lord), on the Science of  Science of right Action (Yoga-Shastra), included in the Knowledge of Brahman (Brahma-Vidya).