Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita

Review of “Arjuna’s Despair”

AcknowledgementsThese notes are based on Purna Vidhya,

Vedic Heritage Teaching Programme.This material covers pages 19-25 of

“Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita” Part 12, written by: Swamini Pramananda Saraswati and Sri Dhira Chatanya.

Slides prepared by: V. “Juggy” Jagannathan.

Current Context and World Affairs and Relevance of GitaDo not yield to unmanliness”, exhorts Krishna, “O Partha.

It does not befit you. Give up this lowly weakness of heart and get up, Arjuna”Klaibhyam maa sma gamah Paartha naitattvayyupapadhyateKsudhram hrdayadaurbhalyam tyaktvottishtha paranthapa

Bhagvad Gita

Nonviolence is not a cover for cowardice, but it is the supreme virtue of the brave. Exercise of nonviolence

requires far greater bravery than that of swordsmanship. Cowardice is wholly inconsistent with

nonviolence. Mahatma Gandhi

EgyptWael Ghonim, Google marketing executive for

the Middle East and North Africa, who was detained and blindfolded for 12 days amidst the chaotic events in Egypt, credits the internet, and social networking websites in particular, for liberating the Egyptian government.

People power, non-violent movement makes history!

In this manner having spoken

to Lord Krishna

Arjuna scorcher of foes

I shall not fight

thus saying to Lord Govinda (Krishna)

indeed became silent

Verse 9 DiscussionGudaakesha (conqueror of sleep, given in childhood itself, after he started practising archery skills in the dead of night) [Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arjuna ]This shows that Arjuna was always fully aware of himself and his prowess and not given to negligence any time. Sanjaya said this perhaps to remind to Dhrathrashtra of the glory of Arjuna.  

Paranthapa – scorcher of foes; One who strikes fear in the hearts of his enemies

Hrishikesa – HE is the master of all emotions and feelings

Sreyas – relative & absolute

Topical problem transforming into a fundamental problem

To him, said

Krishna

as though laughing (smiling), Bharata

(Arjuna)

in the middle of both armies

one who is sad

he said this

Verse 10 DiscussionWhy was Krishna smiling?

The reason for this was,1. This was what exactly the Lord intended to happen,2. It was the smile of the father to his child who talks as an adult to impress him.3.It is  a derisive smile of the wise to an ignorant who talks like the wise .Source: http://vanaprastha.webs.com/bhagavatgitapart1.htm

What is the cause of Arjuna’s sorrow?

How does Lord Krsna first respond to Arjuna’s conflict?