Introduction to the Bhagavad-Gita- Part 1: Post-6.: Swami Krishnananda

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Sunday 30, June 2024 :06:50.
Article
Scriptures
Introduction to the Bhagavadgita- Part 1
POST-6.
Swami Krishnananda
(Spoken on March 3rd, 1974)

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The Bhagavadgita takes us along this route of a triple understanding of Nature, God and man, together in their blending and integrality. The outer setting is the historical scene wherein we are told two forces were arrayed for a battle that was to take place. Everywhere you will find two forces, whether it is outwardly in the world or inwardly in your own self. Even in your own family, a small unit of a few members, you will find two forces working. Even in your own heart and your own mind, you will find these two forces working, sometimes one voice speaking, another time another voice speaking. You yourself will have a double message from your own self inwardly. So these two forces are arrayed, and in the epic language these forces are called the Pandava forces and the Kaurava forces. The positives and the negatives confront each other to fight a battle for a different purpose altogether, and these forces are represented by certain commanding powers, whose orders were to be obeyed by all the subordinates.

Now, in the very beginning of the epic, before the commencement of the scene of the war, we are told that the leaders of the two forces collected immense strength, army and support from various corners of the country. One of the towering personalities of those times, towering both in knowledge and in power, was Sri Krishna, and the leaders of the two parties are said to have approached him for help. This introduction is provided to us in the Mahabharata before the commencement of the war, and in the exposition of the Bhagavadgita. Krishna was an impartial person, not belonging to any side. His palace, or fortress, was in Dvarka, and history tells us that the leader of the Pandavas, Arjuna, and the leader of the other party, the Kauravas, Duryodhana, both approached this mighty Krishna for help in the ensuing war.

Very beautifully the story is told to us, with a tremendous spiritual message behind it. It is said that Sri Krishna was reclining, perhaps having a nap, on a couch in his palace in Dvarka, when these two gentlemen approached. Out of the two, Arjuna was a humble, child-like person, simple in his nature. Duryodhana was a proud man, very self-confident and arrogant in his approach. He always regarded himself as a ruler. He was the king of the country and, befitting the status of a king, he occupied a chair near the head of Krishna and sat there while Krishna was relaxing and dozing. Arjuna, as a simple man, humble, stood at the feet of Krishna. He did not even sit. He stood there. It is said that after a few minutes Krishna woke up and opened his eyes, and naturally saw the person who was standing at his feet. He opened his eyes and suddenly saw Arjuna.

“My dear friend, what makes you come at this hour? What do you want from me? How is it that you have taken so much pain to come from a long distance? From Indraprastha you have come to Dvarka.”

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Continued

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