Bhagavad Gita, The Dilemma of Arjuna,
The Hindu scripture named the Bhagavad Gita contains 700 hymns. The Holy “Bhagavad Gita” is among the texts that form part of India’s Mahabharata.
The text comprises a conversation between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, who doubles up as his charioteer.
In this discourse, Krishna speaks to Arjuna, who feels morally troubled and confused about fighting in the Kurukshetra War.
In chapter one of “Bhagavad Gita,” she was titled “Arjuna Vishada Yoga,” or “The Yoga of Arjuna’s Dejection.
“Arjuna’s inner turmoil is presented in order to lay the groundwork for these profound talks.
This blog post will discuss the book titled “Bhagavad Gita,” which is commonly referred to as just Gita.
It has 700 verses, making it one of the chapters found within the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic poem.
This writing contains a dialogue between Prince Arjun and his charioteer—a god named Krishna.
During such dialogue, it is observed that Krishna gives teachings and advice on spiritual matters to the warrior since he does not know what to do when morality tells him against killing people in war.
Chapter 1 of the “Bhagavad Gita,” titled “Arjuna Vishada Yoga,” also known as “The Yoga Delusion through Despondency,” portrays confusion in Arjuna, thereby preparing readers for profound revelations.
The battlefield of Kurukshetra
The first chapter opens with two armies arrayed on the Kurukshetra battlefield. Arjuna leads the Pandavas on one side, while Duryodhana leads the Kauravas on the other.
The story begins with the blind King Dhritarashtra requesting his charioteer, Sanjaya, to tell him what is happening on the battlefield. Sanjaya starts his narrative with Duryodhana’s fears when he sees a mighty army of pandavas.
He walks towards his Guru-Dronacharya and mentions all the brave warriors positioned on both sides. This account gives an idea about how big and serious that war is going to be.
Arjuna’s dejection in “Bhagavad Gita”
While preparations for battle continue, Arjuna asks Krishna to place his chariot between the armies so that he can see them.
As he surveys the battlefield, Arjuna sees not just the enemy army but also his own family, close friends, and esteemed instructors.
Deep inside him, something snaps when he sees this.He is engulfed with sorrow and pity for others.
He sees his relatives, instructors, and buddies lining up against each other to die or kill their counterparts. This realization fills him with profound grief and dread.
Gradually, his limbs gave way under him; his dry mouth, shaking body, and restless mind all speak of a troubled soul in turmoil.
In response to these feelings of hopelessness and sadness, Arjuna drops his capable archery equipment and falls onto the seat of his chariot.
The moral and ethical dilemma in Bhagavad Gita
What Arjuna is experiencing is not a mere personal crisis but a critical ethical dilemma of great magnitude. His loyalty to his family and teachers, as well as his own emotions,
pull him apart on one side and his sacred duty on another: the duty to fight as a warrior (Kshatriya).
In spite of this, he has to fight as part of his responsibility as a soldier, but at heart, he detests the act of killing relatives.
Arjuna asks himself what the purpose of such a war could be.
This war would lead to the destruction of families and loved ones, the disruption of societal norms, and the achievement of righteousness.
Arjuna fears that this war will end up rupturing family traditions and corrupting society.
He worries about the sins and karmic consequences of killing his own family members.
Arjuna says that it is better not to go to battle since war entails absurdity and destructive effects.
He says that victory, empire, and pleasure cease to be anything when they can only be obtained through the lives of our dearest people.
He would rather give up having the whole kingdom for just begging since committing fratricide does not appeal to him.
The role of Krishna in “Bhagavad Gita”
Krishna, who is Arjuna’s charioteer, stoically listens to his sorrowful words. His silence in this critical moment is meaningful because it enables Arjuna to vent all his pent-up emotions.
As a charioteer, Krishna intends not only to lead him throughout the battlefield but also through the struggle within himself.
Arjuna seeks Krishna’s guidance when he is in deep despair; this marks a turning point that sets the way for subsequent teachings found in the “Bhagavad Gita.”
Arjuna acknowledges his perplexity and pleads with Krishna to educate him, hence choosing Krishna as his spiritual leader and teacher.
Symbolism and themes
The Bhagavad Gita’s initial chapter is full of symbols and introduces several themes that are developed in subsequent chapters.
Kurukshetra’s battlefield is a metaphor for the human condition and the ongoing conflict between duty and desire, right and wrong, and good and evil.
This is where Arjuna’s depression enters the picture; it symbolizes the existential crisis that many people experience when faced with difficult moral or ethical decisions.
Arjuna’s internal struggle highlights the intricacy of Dharma, or duty and righteousness. It poses important questions concerning the nature of duty itself.
the consequences of one’s deeds and the balance between one’s own emotional responses and obligations to society.
This chapter lays out the foundation for a thorough examination of obligations, morality, and selflessness in fulfilling duties.
In summary of Bhagavad Gita”
In the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, we are introduced to the emotional and philosophical context of the teachings that follow.
Arjuna’s deep depression and internal struggle over the morality of his deeds served as a springboard for Krishna’s lectures on the meaning of life and accountability.
The Bhagavad Gita overcomes its own limitations to address timeless human problems in the end.