Hari OM
From Monday April 8th to Friday
April 12th 2019, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda-ji presented evening discourses to
the public at the Merrylands Civic Centre, NSW Australia. The focus of his
talks this year was Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, and more specifically,
shlokas 1-32. Some of the learning and insights will be shared over a number of
posts.
The Gita is an extracted portion of the much larger work,
Mahaabharata, which narrates the history of royalty and divinity in Sanskrit
history in a similar fashion to that of The Bible, but in an altogether more
comprehensive manner. The eighteen chapters which are known as The Song of The
Lord, stand out even within the larger work and thus became a work of its own.
It starts at the time of the larger story where the family situation now
results in Prince Arjuna facing war with uncles and cousins and teachers We
have discovered that his close friend and advisor is none other than Shri
Krishna - though Arjuna does not learn this himself until chapter 10. At the
dawn of the battle of Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands in his chariot and laments the
state of affairs (ch.1) before collapsing to the floor of the vehicle in quite
the fluster. He begs his pal Krishna to take him away from this place so that
he doesn't have to face it.
Now, it is important to understand that 'the battlefield' is
transformed from an actual place of war by what we read in the Gita, to the
place within ourselves where we are constantly at 'battle' with our ego, our
ethics, values, situations. Only by understanding the true nature of Arjuna's
troubles can Lord Krishna now help him to see himself, how he fits into the
greater picture and thus find the answers within himself to deal with what life
brings.
When the swamis bring excerpts of the Gita to us for discourse, we
do well to pay attention, for it is certain that we are to find something to
learn about ourselves and how we cope - or don't - with life. This is the
purpose of such satsang.
As we enter chapter 2, we still find Arjuna a bit whimpery and
watery and seeking to make excuse. We all of us, at one time or another, have
faced this. What this is really about is facing our fears. For each of us, that
fear may be something different. It is also about facing responsibility. That
can be a tough one. Then there is fulfilling one's obligations to others.
Integrity required for that one - are we always true to our word? These and so
many more questions of personality and purpose are brought out. As we watch
Krishna attempt to lift His friend, as Arjuna wavers and shakes, let us not
condemn or point fingers or snigger, for his predicament is nothing but our
own. What we find here is that Arjuna seeks guidance and understands that his
strong companion may have greater wisdom than himself in what next is to be
done. Are we able to bow our heads and seek help in this way? Do we listen when
it is offered?
For purposes of these ruminations,
only an English translation will be provided - and note that the character of
Sanjaya is the narrator, who is relating events to the elderly king
DhRtaraashtra.
Sanjaya said:
Lord Krishna spoke these words
To Arjuna whose eyes were tearful and downcast,
And who was overwhelmed
With compassion and despair.
Krishna said:
How has the dejection
Come to you at this juncture?
This is not fit for an Aryan
It is disgraceful,
And it does not lead one to heaven, O Arjuna.
Do not become a coward, O Arjuna,
Because it does not befit you.
Shake off this weakness of your heart
And get up (for the battle), O Arjuna.
Arjuna said:
How shall I strike Bheeshma and Drona,
Who are worthy of my worship,
With arrows in battle, O Krishna?
It would be better, indeed,
To live on alms in this world
Than to slay these noble gurus,
Because by killing them I would enjoy
Wealth and pleasures stained with blood.
Neither do we know
Which alternative is better for us,
Nor do we know
Whether we shall conquer them
Or they will conquer us.
We should not even wish to live
After killing the sons of DhRtaraashtra
Who are standing in front of us.
My heart is overcome by the weakness of pity,
And my mind is confused about Dharma.
I request You to tell me, decisively,
What is better for me. I am Your disciple.
Teach me who has taken refuge in You.
I do not perceive that gaining an unrivalled
And prosperous kingdom on this earth,
Or even lordship over the gods will remove
The sorrow that is drying up my senses.
Sanjaya said:
O King, after speaking like this to Lord Krishna,
The mighty Arjuna said to Krishna:
I shall not fight, and became silent.
