Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Commentary by Ramanand Prasad

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Chapter 1 Arjuna's Dilemma (Translation and Commentary by Ramananda Prasad.

 

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The war of Mahabharata has begun after all negotiations by Lord Krishna and

others to avoid it failed. The blind King (Dhritarashtra) was never very sure

about the victory of his sons (Kauravas) in spite of their superior army. Sage

Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata, wanted to give the blind king the boon of

eyesight so that the king could see the horrors of the war for which he was

primarily responsible. But the king refused the offer. He did not want to see

the horrors of the war; but preferred to get the war report through his

charioteer, Sanjaya. Sage Vyasa granted the power of clairvoyance to Sanjaya.

With this power Sanjaya could see, hear, and recall the events of the past,

present, and the future. He was able to give an instant replay of the eye

witness war report to the blind King sitting in the palace.

 

Bhishma, the mightiest man and the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava's army, is

disabled by Arjuna and is lying on deathbed in the battleground on the tenth day

of the eighteen day war. Upon hearing this bad news from Sanjaya, the blind King

looses all hopes for victory of his sons. Now the King wants to know the details

of the war from the beginning, including how the mightiest man, and the

commander-in-chief of his superior army ¾ who had a boon of dying at his own

will ¾ was defeated in the battlefield. The teaching of the Gita begins with the

inquiry of the blind King, after Sanjaya described how Bhishma was defeated, as

follows:

 

The King inquired: Sanjaya, please now tell me, in details, what did my people

(the Kauravas) and the Pandavas do in the battlefield before the war started?

(1.01)

Sanjaya said: O King, After seeing the battle formation of the Pandava's army,

your son approached his guru and spoke these words: (1.02)

O Master, behold this mighty army of the Pandavas, arranged in battle formation

by your other talented disciple! There are many great warriors, valiant men,

heroes, and mighty archers. (1.03-06)

 

Introduction Of The Army Commanders

Also there are many heroes on my side who have risked their lives for me. I

shall name few distinguished commanders of my army for your information. He

named all the officers of his army, and said: They are armed with various

weapons, and are skilled in warfare. (1.07-09)

Our army is invincible, while their army is easy to conquer. Therefore all of

you, occupying your respective positions, protect our commander-in-chief.

(1.10-11)

 

War Starts With The Blowing Of Conch Shells

The mighty commander-in-chief and the eldest man of the dynasty, roared as a

lion and blew his conch loudly, bringing joy to your son. (1.12)

Soon after that; conches, kettledrums, cymbals, drums, and trumpets were sounded

together. The commotion was tremendous. (1.13)

After that, Lord Krishna and Arjuna, seated in a grand chariot yoked with white

horses, blew their celestial conches. (1.14)

Krishna blew His conch first, and then Arjuna and all other commanders of

various divisions of the army of Pandavas blew their respective conches. The

tumultuous uproar, resounding through the earth and sky, tore the hearts of your

sons. (1.15-19)

 

Arjuna Wants To Inspect The Army Against Whom He Is About To Fight

Seeing your sons standing, and the war about to begin with the hurling of

weapons; Arjuna, whose banner bore the emblem of Lord Hanumana, took up his bow

and spoke these words to Lord Krishna: O Lord, please stop my chariot between

the two armies until I behold those who stand here eager for the battle and with

whom I must engage in this act of war. (1.20-22)

I wish to see those who are willing to serve and appease the evil-minded

Kauravas by assembling here to fight the battle. (1.23)

Sanjaya said: O King; Lord Krishna, as requested by Arjuna, placed the best of

all the chariots in the midst of the two armies facing Arjuna's grandfather, his

guru and all other Kings; and said to Arjuna: Behold these assembled soldiers!

(1.24-25)

Arjuna saw his uncles, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons,

grandsons, and other comrades in the army. (1.26)

 

Arjuna's Dilemma

After seeing fathers-in-law, companions, and all his kinsmen standing in the

ranks of the two armies, Arjuna was overcome with great compassion and

sorrowfully spoke these words: O Krishna, seeing my kinsmen standing with a

desire to fight, my limbs fail and my mouth becomes dry. My body quivers and my

hairs stand on end. (1.27-29)

The bow slips from my hand, and my skin intensely burns. My head turns, I am

unable to stand steady, and O Krishna, I see bad omens. I see no use of killing

my kinsmen in battle. (1.30-31)

I desire neither victory, nor pleasure nor kingdom, O Krishna. What is the use

of the kingdom, or enjoyment, or even life, O Krishna? Because all those ¾ for

whom we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures ¾ are standing here for the

battle, giving up their lives. (1.32-33)

I do not wish to kill my teachers, uncles, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles,

fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives who are about to

kill us, even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone for this

earthly kingdom, O Krishna. (1.34-35)

O Lord Krishna, what pleasure shall we find in killing our cousin brothers? Upon

killing these felons we shall incur sin only. (1.36)

Therefore, we should not kill our cousin brothers. How can we be happy after

killing our relatives, O Krishna? (1.37)

Though they are blinded by greed, and do not see evil in the destruction of the

family, or sin in being treacherous to friends. Why should not we, who clearly

see evil in the destruction of the family, think about turning away from this

sin, O Krishna? (1.38-39)

 

Arjuna Describes The Evils of War

Eternal family traditions and codes of moral conduct are destroyed with the

destruction of the family. And immorality prevails in the family due to the

destruction of family traditions. (1.40)

And when immorality prevails, O Krishna, the women of the family become

corrupted; when women are corrupted, unwanted progeny is born. (1.41)

This brings the family and the slayers of the family to hell, because the

spirits of their ancestors are degraded when deprived of ceremonial offerings of

love and respect by the unwanted progeny. (1.42)

The everlasting qualities of social order and family traditions of those who

destroy their family are ruined by the sinful act of illegitimacy. (1.43)

We have been told, O Krishna, that people whose family traditions are destroyed

necessarily dwell in hell for a long time. (1.44)

Alas! We are ready to commit a great sin by striving to slay our relatives

because of greed for the pleasures of the kingdom. (1.45)

It would be far better for me if my cousin brothers kill me with their weapons

in battle while I am unarmed and unresisting. (1.46)

 

When Going Gets Tough, Even Tough Ones Can Get Deluded

Sanjaya said: Having said this in the battlefield and casting aside his bow and

arrow, Arjuna sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind overwhelmed with

sorrow. (1.47)

 

Note:It is said Arjuna was put to delusion by the will of God for the purpose of

manifesting the teachings of the Gita meant to enlighten and console bewildered

souls.