Was Arjuna an Atma Jnani?

[Guest guest]

Pranams to all Sadhakas.

 

Was Arjuna an Atma Jnani?

 

In the Bhagavadgita Chapter 18, the verse no. 72 is as follows:

 

Sri Bhagavan questions:

 

Has it been heard by thee, O Partha, with an attentive mind? Has the

delusion of ignorance been destroyed, O Dhananjaya?

 

In the next verse, 73, Arjuna replies:

 

Destroyed is delusion, and I have gained recognition through Thy

Grace, O Achyuta. I am firm, with doubts gone. I will do Thy word.

 

The Commentary by the Acharya for this is:

 

Delusion , born of ajnana or ignorance, the cause of the whole evil

of samsara, hard to cross like the ocean. Recognition of the true

nature of the Self. When this recognition is obtained, then will all

the ties of the heart be loosened. This questioning and answering

about the destruction of delusion shows conclusively, what the

purpose of the knowledge of the teaching of the whole Shastra is,

namely, the destruction of delusion and the attainment of a

recognition of the Self. So the Sruti (Chandogya Up. 7.1.3, 26.2)

begins with the words: " Not knowing the Self, I grieve" and then

speaks of the loosening of all ties by means of Self-knowledge.

There are also scriptural passages such as `The tie of the heart is

broken' (Mundaka Up. 2.2.8) and `To him who sees unity, what delusion

is there, what grief?' (Isa. Up. 7). …Arjuna says: `Through Thy

Grace I have achieved the end of life: I have naught to do".

 

While this is so, in the Mahabharatha, there is the mention of Arjuna

requesting the Lord to teach him what was taught in the Bhagavad Gita

during the war, as the same has slipped away from his mind. The Lord

condescends to teach him the Anu-Gita. As per the account of the

Mahabharatha, in the end Arjuna goes to heaven along with his

brothers. All this shows that Arjuna was indeed not liberated from

samsara.

 

While many commentators to the above Gita verse have said that Arjuna

did become free from samsara, the commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta

says for the verse 73: By the words `Destroyed is delusion…' what has

come about is Arjuna's resolve to fight. This is not the onset of

Brahman-knowledge in him. By indicating thus, he gives occasion for

the future teaching of the Anugita.'

 

Is there any explanation to what looks like a contradiction?

 

Om Tat Sat

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "subrahmanian_v" <subrahmanian_v

wrote:

>

> Pranams to all Sadhakas.

>

> Was Arjuna an Atma Jnani?

>

 

 

Namaste all.

 

It appears, my father, Shri R. Visvanatha Sastri, would have

answered 'Yes' to the above question. See posts #s (3oth March 05)26263

and # (1st April 2005)26282, on YogAmRRitaM.

 

PraNAms to all advaitins

profvk

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "subrahmanian_v"

<subrahmanian_v wrote:

>

> Pranams to all Sadhakas.

>

> Was Arjuna an Atma Jnani?

>

> In the Bhagavadgita Chapter 18, the verse no. 72 is as follows:

>

> Sri Bhagavan questions:

>

> Has it been heard by thee, O Partha, with an attentive mind? Has

the

> delusion of ignorance been destroyed, O Dhananjaya?

>

> In the next verse, 73, Arjuna replies:

>

> Destroyed is delusion, and I have gained recognition through Thy

> Grace, O Achyuta. I am firm, with doubts gone. I will do Thy

word.

> > While this is so, in the Mahabharatha, there is the mention of

Arjuna

> requesting the Lord to teach him what was taught in the Bhagavad

Gita

> during the war, as the same has slipped away from his mind. The

Lord

> condescends to teach him the Anu-Gita. As per the account of the

> Mahabharatha, in the end Arjuna goes to heaven along with his

> brothers. All this shows that Arjuna was indeed not liberated

from

> samsara.

>

> While many commentators to the above Gita verse have said that

Arjuna

> did become free from samsara, the commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta

> says for the verse 73: By the words `Destroyed is delusion…' what

has

> come about is Arjuna's resolve to fight. This is not the onset of

> Brahman-knowledge in him. By indicating thus, he gives occasion

for

> the future teaching of the Anugita.'

>

> Is there any explanation to what looks like a contradiction?

 

Namaste,

 

There is no contradiction! In Gita 10:18, Arjuna says:

 

vistareNaatmano yogaM vibhuuti.n cha janaardana .

bhuuyaH kathaya tR^iptirhi shR^iNvato naasti me.amR^itam.h .. 10\-

18..

 

"Relate to me again in detail, O Janardana! of Thy power and

manifestation; for I am not satiated with hearing Thy nectar-like

speech."

 

The true devotee never gets satiated with the Infinity of the

Spirit. The statement that the teaching having slipped his mind can

only be an 'excuse' to continue the insatiability!

 

 

Regards,

 

Sunder