BHAGAVAD GEETA: Chapter 1-14 . Swami Advayanandaji.

Chinmaya Mission 

Chinmaya Mission Chicago celebrated the graduation ceremony of the graduating Bala Vihar class of 2023 on June 4th. The children who have attended Chinmaya Mission for many years and have gained a rich knowledge of Hindu dharma and Vedanta were truly commendable. The program included Saraswati puja, the chanting of Shishya anushanam from Taittiriya Upanishad, inspiring speeches by Swami Sharananandaji, Swami Aparajitanandaji, and their teacher, as well as heartfelt remembrances and gratitude expressed by the students themselves. As part of the graduation ceremony, the seniors chanted the Shishyanushasanam portion of Taittiriya Upanishad, adhering to the tradition at Chinmaya Mission.  They have diligently learned this chanting over their years of study.

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Arjuna Vishadha yogam  (“Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency”)

Sri Veda Vyasaji

Discourse – 1 (47 Slogas)

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Monday, 10 Jul, 2023. 07:00.

Slogam- 24: In “No-Man’s Land”

Post - 14.

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Slogam 24: 

Sanjaya Uvaacha: Sanjaya said:

1 

Evam uktah Hrisheekeshah = Thus was addressed Hrishikesha (i.e. Krishna)

2

Gudaakeshena =  by Gudakesha (Arjuna, ),

Bhaarata; = O Bharata (i.e. Dhritarashtra).

3 

senayoh ubhayoh madhye = In the midst of both the armies

4 

sthaapayitvaa ratha uttamam. = He stationed the best of chariots.

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1-2 Three key figures of this drama feature in these lines, and all three of them are 

addressed by their nick-names:

Bharata means “a citizen of Bharatavarsha”, the name for Mother India. This term 

is used to address Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya seems to be mentally suggesting, “O King, you are 

an Indian citizen. Yet, you are dividing your own countrymen by authorizing this war. Where 

is your patriotism? You are pitting your countrymen against each other. Even now it is not 

too late for you to put a stop to this civil war. Can’t you do that for your country?”

Gudakesha means “one who does not give way to Tamas.” There is unwitting irony 

in using this word here. That is the reputation Arjuna has. Yet, in a short while from now, 

Arjuna breaks down completely, languishing in Tamas in the midst of the battlefield!

‘Gudakesha’ also has a second meaning: “one with knotted hair”. This may have 

symbolic significance in a battle context. Just as loosely flying hair is hazardous to a soldier, 

so also, loosely flying thoughts in Arjuna’s mind are hazardous and need to be knotted.

Hrisheekesha means “lord of the senses”. Lord Krishna is such a one. This quality 

tells us that He is completely in control of Himself, well knotted up. This quality marks Him 

out as the best charioteer one could have. 

3-4 The charioteer symbolizes one’s intellect, the power to discriminate. Here the 

‘intellect’-Krishna positions the chariot in the midst of the two armies.

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Next

Slogam-25: “Behold these Kurus!”

To be continued

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