Module 1
Module 1
Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duty as a warrior without attachment to the outcomes, a concept known as buddhi-yog or the yoga of the intellect . Krishna emphasizes that actions should be conducted without desire for rewards to transform karma into a liberating force rather than a binding one . This advice helps Arjuna understand his duty as a means of upholding righteousness, enabling him to commit to the battle without being paralyzed by his personal affiliations and emotional turmoil.
Divine intervention is depicted in the Mahabharata through Lord Krishna's actions, particularly when he saves Draupadi from humiliation by making her saree endless, showcasing his protective role for the righteous . Additionally, Krishna serves as a charioteer and guide for Arjuna, imparting the spiritual teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to resolve Arjuna's moral dilemma . These instances highlight Krishna's role in guiding the Pandavas towards victory and justice, emphasizing the epic's theme that divine will supports righteousness and dharma.
Arjuna's emotional turmoil reflects the conflict between his duty as a warrior and his personal relationships. Overcome by grief at the prospect of fighting against relatives and mentors such as Bhishma and Dronacharya, Arjuna feels unable to stand and expresses a moral crisis about the consequences of war . He argues that killing his own kin for the sake of victory and kingdom is a sin, preferring to lay down his weapons even if it leads to his own death . This highlights the central Gita theme of prioritizing one's duty (dharma) over personal attachments and emotions.
In Arjuna Vishada Yoga, the chariot symbolizes the human body, with its various components representing different aspects of the human experience. The chariot's horses symbolize the five senses, the reins represent the mind, and the charioteer symbolizes human intelligence. Arjuna, the passenger, represents the spirit or soul . This symbolism illustrates how the human experience involves harmonizing the mind and senses under the guidance of intelligence, akin to how a charioteer controls horses. This analogy emphasizes the importance of controlled, purposeful action in life.
Krishna addresses Arjuna's conflict by explaining the concept of dharma or duty. He clarifies that Arjuna’s duty as a kshatriya (warrior) is to fight for righteousness, regardless of personal suffering. Krishna further teaches that performing duty selflessly, without attachment to outcomes (buddhi-yoga), transforms bondage-creating karma into liberating karma, ultimately relieving personal suffering .
Krishna emphasizes the transient nature of the physical body and the eternal nature of the soul to help Arjuna overcome his attachment to the temporary world and fulfill his dharma as a warrior. By understanding that the soul is eternal and indestructible, Arjuna is encouraged to focus on righteousness without attachment to the results of his actions . This view aligns with the broader teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, which advocate for detached action (karma yoga) and spiritual enlightenment, transcending material concerns and concentrating on the eternal truths of existence.
Arjuna's refusal to fight stems from his moral conflict concerning the ethical implications of killing his own kin, which he perceives as a sin contrary to righteous war or dharma . As a Kshatriya, his duty mandates upholding righteousness by engaging in battle. Krishna addresses Arjuna's dilemma by explaining Sankhya Yoga, where he emphasizes the immortality of the soul and the fleeting nature of the physical body . Krishna teaches that duty is paramount and abandoning it leads to infamy and spiritual downfall, thus aligning action with spiritual goals without personal attachment.
The themes of jealousy and revenge are central to the Kauravas' actions, beginning with their enmity towards the Pandavas stemming from childhood . Their jealousy leads them to deceive the Pandavas in a dice game, resulting in the humiliation of Draupadi and the exile of the Pandavas . These actions showcase the destructive nature of jealousy and revenge, ultimately leading to the cataclysmic Kurukshetra war, which causes immense loss to their own forces and eventual demise. This underlines the Mahabharata's lesson that such vices lead to ruin.
A 'sthita prajna' is described by Krishna as an enlightened soul whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery and does not crave for pleasure or happiness. Such a person is free from attachment, fear, and anger . These qualities are significant in the Bhagavad Gita's teachings because they embody the ideal state of equanimity and wisdom, allowing individuals to transcend the dualities of life and focus on their spiritual journey. This state reflects mastery over one's desires and emotions, aligning with the Gita's emphasis on detached, righteous action.
Lord Krishna uses the metaphor of the body as clothes in the Bhagavad Gita to describe the soul's journey. He explains that just as a person discards old clothes and wears new ones, the soul similarly leaves an old body to inhabit a new one. This illustrates the eternal and imperishable nature of the soul, contrasting with the transitory nature of the physical body .