Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 1: Arjuna's Dilemma: An Introduction

Arjuna's Dilemma: An Introduction

Yudhishthira's Rajasuya Yajna was complete, but peace was elusive. The fire of envy raged in the hearts of the Kauravas, which was ultimately to erupt in the form of the Mahabharata war. This story begins from the moment when both armies stand face to face on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, ready for war.

The Fierce Scene of Kurukshetra

The sun was scorching the vast plains of Kurukshetra with its intensity. A cloud of dust hung in the sky, signaling the horror of war. Conches, drums, and trumpets sounded in unison, creating a mixture of excitement and fear in the hearts of the warriors. Arjuna, mounted on his chariot yoked with white horses, was surveying the battlefield. Deep lines of worry were etched on his face, clearly reflecting the internal conflict raging within him. The mere thought of raising arms against his own people caused him pain.

Arjuna said to his charioteer, Shri Krishna, "Keshava, take my chariot between the two armies. I want to see against whom I have to fight." An vague apprehension was taking root in his mind, an unknown fear gripped him. He could not even imagine staining his sword with the blood of his gurus, relatives, and friends.

Shri Krishna Becomes the Charioteer

Hearing Arjuna's request, Shri Krishna immediately drove the chariot to a halt between the two armies. Smiling, he said to Arjuna, "Partha, look, these are your uncles, grandfathers, gurus, and kinsmen standing against you." As soon as Arjuna saw Bhishma Pitamah, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, and his cousins Duryodhana and his brothers, his heart was filled with grief. His Gandiva bow slackened, and his hands began to tremble. His body was drenched in sweat. The world appeared dark to him.

Shri Krishna, who was omniscient, understood Arjuna's dilemma very well. He knew that Arjuna was trapped in the web of attachment and it was necessary to free him from it. He decided to impart the teachings of Dharma and Karma to his devoted disciple Arjuna, which would later become world-renowned as the Bhagavad Gita. His calm and grave voice possessed a special kind of power that could pacify Arjuna's mind.

The Veil of Attachment

Overwhelmed with grief, Arjuna placed his Gandiva bow in the chariot and said to Shri Krishna, "O Govinda, I cannot kill my kinsmen and gurus. This war is a sin, and I do not wish to be a participant in this sin." Tears streamed from Arjuna's eyes. He was caught between duty and attachment, unable to see any way out. His mind was restless, and he had decided to renounce the war, which would form the basis of the subsequent narrative where Shri Krishna would impart the knowledge of Sankhya Yoga to him, which would be called true knowledge.