Thursday, February 21, 2008

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Verses 6-8

The Master
Nachaitadvidmah Kataranno gareeyaha Yadvajayema Yadivanojayeyuhu
Yanevahatwa Najijeevishamah Tevasthithah Pramukhe Dhartharashtraha

Karpanyadoshopahataswabhavaha Prucchamith Twam Dharmasam Moodha Chetaha
Yacchreyassyan Nischitham Broohitanme Shishyastheham Shadhimam Twam Prapannam

Nahiprapashyami Mamapanudhyath Yacchokamucchoshanamindriyanam
Avapya Bhumavasapathnamriddham Rajyam Suranamapi Chadhipathyam

*****
Arjuna asks as to which alternative will be better - whether to kill them or be killed by them. The nature of the people on the side of Dhritarashtra is such that one would not wish to live after killing them, he says.

"My nature is overwhelmed by a sense of pity and my mind is in an utter confusion regarding my sense of duty. Myself, your disciple, plead to you to tell me clearly what is the correct path of good. I have surrendered unto you. Please instruct.
This grief numbs my senses and I cannot find anything that can quieten the feeling. This cannot be quelled even if I am given lordship over kingdoms, nor even becoming the Lord of the divine beings," he asks.
Arjuna's mind reveals the conflicts that goes on in the mind of a sensitive warrior who goes deeply into analysis of his profession. He is confused about issues such as professional ethics and seeks the wise counsel of Sri Krishna to educate him on what is the right path to take, as he has himself lost the sense of discretion - overcome as he is by pity.
It is important to learn here through the doubts and fears expressed by Arjuna that no great achievement in the world can solve the disturbance of a mind that does not know the way to the truth.
(Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Himalayas, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com) - Swahilya Shambhavi.

6 comments:

fruitu said...

Nice post Swahilya, these verses clearly explains about Arjuna's confused state of mind,that inspite of being the greatest warrior,archer in the world, he too crumbles by the sheer pressure created by difficult situations, He did the best thing by surrendering himself to Krishna and asking Krishna to guide him to overcome his confused state of mind. The same can be applied to us when we go through rough phases, wherein we are at loss to decide which is right or wrong.

Swahilya Shambhavi said...

Yes Fruitu. Help is always at hand, right within where the inhaling breath touches - consciousness begins

Merging Point said...

Yes Swahilya. well explained. surrender is salvation.

kitchenette soul said...

"Karpanyadoshopahataswabhavaha Prucchamith Twam Dharmasam Moodha Chetaha
Yacchreyassyan Nischitham Broohitanme Shishyastheham Shadhimam Twam Prapannam"

Finally! After all the lamentation Arjuna appeals to Sri Krishna as his Master. He address him as one endowed with Knowledge of Dharma and submits to him as his disciple.
"Shishyastheham"-- introduces himself as a disciple of Sri Krishna for the first time.

Personally I have found this shloka very very effective. Mentally repeating it with the complete understanding of its import often has shown me solutions when I found only darkness.
Surrender is the only gateway to Knowledge.
This shloka is the one that moves Krishna into giving Arjuna the ulitmate gift of knowledge which only a Master can give.

Swahilya Shambhavi said...

Welcome Merging Point.

Swahilya Shambhavi said...

KS: Yes to receive a gift, the vessel has to be ready.And the readiness can happen when it is empty and clean from within.