Who wrote Bhagavad Gita, argument # 1.

[Guest guest]

Arial">Dear Prabhus,

Arial">

Arial"> The

argument is that due to an estimated 2 hour duration, it is unlikely that the

conversation between Krishna and Arjuna actually took place on the battlefield

as advertised. Perhaps this may

seem an unreasonable amount of time to some people, at least at face

value. It is actually a good

question and I’m glad Pritesh Prahbu brought it up.

yes">

Arial">

12.0pt;font-family:Arial">In verse 1:10, it is clear that the Dhritarastra

faction already felt they had the superior army.

yes"> Nevertheless, we understand from 1:19 that when the leaders

of the Pandavas sounded their conches, Dhritarastra’s side lost

confidence. From the time of the conch shell

blowing, to the time Arjuna stated – in front of both armies – that he would

not fight was maybe 5 minutes. Conventional

wisdom would seem to indicate that Arjuna’s participation in the battle was necessary

if the Pandavas were going to have any reasonable hope at success. (Duryodhana

was certainly calculating

materially.) Thus, with both

Krishna and Arjuna out of the

fight, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that the battle might very well

have been over before it even got started.

yes"> It took the U.S. six months to prepare for the relatively

small 1991 Gulf War. This one was basically

in the works for years. By the

time the troops were on the battlefield ready to kill and be killed, they were

certainly pumped up. It must have

been a very dramatic moment when Arjuna quit and I am sure that everyone

involved understood the potential consequences.

yes"> Under the circumstances, not only is it likely that the

armies listened, but they probably did so on pins and needles (if not swords

and lances). Two hours is not a

long time when you’re having fun.

Arial">

Arial">Ys, Santiparayana dasa

yes">

yes">

[Guest guest]

achintya, "Eric Bott" <botte001@h...> wrote:

calculating

> materially.) Thus, with both Krishna and Arjuna out of the fight,

it would

> not be unreasonable to conclude that the battle might very well

have been

> over before it even got started......

 

It must have been a very dramatic

> moment when Arjuna quit and I am sure that everyone involved

understood the

> potential consequences. Under the circumstances, not only is it

likely that

> the armies listened, but they probably did so on pins and needles

(if not

> swords and lances).

 

This is a very good point. The warriors on either side stopped and

listened to the conversation because they knew Arjuna's

participation (recall that Arjuna defeated the entire Kaurava army

at Viraata, and that too single-handedly) or lack thereof would

affect the outcome. The Paandava army waited, hoping that Arjuna

would eventually choose to fight, while the Kauravas waited, hoping

that Arjuna would remain unconvinced and leave.

 

I never thought of it that way. Thank you for bringing this up.

 

yours,

 

- K