Arjuna’s Problem and Bhagavān’s Solution: A Reflection (2024)

Published by Tara Bridgelal Maharaj on

Arjuna’s Problem and Bhagavān’s Solution: A Reflection (1)

Bhagavān’s expertise in revealing this infinity to Arjuna in a palatable way competently provides the resolution to his, and subsequently, all of humanity’s problems.

dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ

māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya” – (BG 1.1)

These opening words of the Bhagavad Gīta bring to mind recollections of one’s own internal conflict. Arjuna is unclear about what he should do. What is dharma? What is adharma?

While the great Pāṇḍava’s predicament takes place on a literal battlefield, any mortal human being can easily identify with the emotions of confusion, guilt, grief, despair, and helplessness that have overcome him.

Such psychological diseases are unfortunately not at all unfamiliar, and naturally, one gets pulled into the conversation as a silent witness, seeking answers to our very own questions which resonate so intensely within Arjuna’s.

The effectiveness of Krṣna’s response to Arjuna’s mentaldilemma must be evaluated, not only by what He says, but when and how He chooses to say it.

At first glance, it is surprising that Bhagavān does not speak until Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gīta, but a closer look soon reveals the genius reasoning behind this. Arjuna is allowed to completely empty his mind and heart at Krṣna’s feet, holding nothing back, while the Lord listens intently, offering no interruptions.

In our moments of despair, we all wish to feel heard and understood in totality. Too often, one party listens to the other with the intention of replying, rather than understanding fully, especially when the listener is not in agreement with what is being said. Unsurprisingly, effective communication is lost, resulting in more frustration than the comfort and clarity (or whatever else) one seeks.

Śri Krṣna speaks only when Arjuna’s statement is complete, and only when sreyas is sought. This strategy helps to place Arjuna in a mental state that now allows him to listen with his mind fully engaged, instead of worrying about defending what he has expressed or fearing that he has been misunderstood.

Bhagavān speaks, “as though smiling”, (BG 2.10) and one quickly understands that his intent is not to pacify Arjuna, but to remove the cause of his doubt promptly and effectively. With Śri Krṣna now given the trusted position of Guru, He firmly exercises this right. His words are to the point, commanding Arjuna’s attention by contradicting the perceived root of his despondency and in the same breath, immediately identifying its true cause.

“You grieve for those who are not to be grieved for. Yet you speak words of wisdom.”(BG 2.11)

In retrospect, how much more effective would it have been for us to be shaken sternly out of our stupor by a trusted friend or teacher, rather than be pacified, appeased, and left to wallow in ‘justified’ self-pity? Especially when the situation called for immediate action, as it does on the battlefield of Kurukśetra?

It is interesting that Śri Krṣna utilizes negation (BG 2.12) to bring his point across, and its effectiveness is undoubtable. From Arjuna’s language, Krṣna clearly sees that his śiśya’s self-effulgence has been dulled by many layers of darkness brought on by false identification with the śarira. If knowledge of Self is hidden, understandably, one’s true dharmabecomes unclear, and there is no graver problem than this! Krṣna’s use of antithesis quickly and expertly begins peeling away at these layers, exposing them to Arjuna as mithya, that which he is not, in reality.

For the unreal, there is never any being. For the real, there is never any non-being.” (BG 2.16)

Once the darkness is removed, the luminous, untouched atmais revealed. Once one’s true self is known, then there is no doubt regarding one’s course of action. Once the layers of that which we are not drops off, what remains is “Tat Twam Asi” (Chandogya Upanishad – 6).

With this understanding, one’s life can then be lived from a vantage point of awareness, rather than attachment to mithya. Krṣna’s discourse on Sat, asat, mithya, nitya, the nature of atmanand the understanding that Consciousness is touched neither by performing action (karta), nor the performance of action (karma), brings a great level of clarity to Arjuna, and indeed, to the rest of us who are paying attention.

In times of my own distress, the thought “This is not what you were placed on this earth for” has become a mantra that I live by, its foundation built on received knowledge of the Bhagavad Gīta acquired from various pramanasover the years. While acknowledging that my own trifle problems are but a molecule of dust in comparison to Arjuna’s dilemma, it is difficult for me to imagine that the Brahmajñān being so skillfully imparted to such a Narottama as Kaunteyaby the Jagat Guru Bhagavān Śri Krṣna himself, would not be effective in removing the former’s confusion.

Yet, there is no arrogance surrounding the knowledge that is being imparted. Even Paramatma embodied as Śri Krṣna, despite being THE authority over all things, uses references from the Upanishads providing a cogency with the Brahmajñān found therein to validate the eternity of the wisdom He imparts. “In the view of the Upanishads, it is the attainment or gain of the infinite that truly resolves the human problem.” (The Advaita Worldview, Anantanand Rambachan)

Bhagavān’s expertise in revealing this infinity to Arjuna in a palatable way competently provides the resolution to his, and subsequently, all of humanity’s problems.

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Arjuna’s Problem and Bhagavān’s Solution: A Reflection (2024)

FAQs

What was the solution to Arjuna's dilemma? ›

He reminded Arjuna that the soul was eternal and that death was simply a transition to another state of being. "Know that which pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one is able to destroy the imperishable soul." Krishna said. Arjuna listened to Krishna's words and his mind was cleared of all doubts.

What is the central moral dilemma faced by Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita? ›

(:285) note that the Bhagavad Gita is centred on the moral dilemma that Arjuna faces on the battlefield. The moral dilemma of the Bhagavad Gita is Arjuna's confusion and internal struggle with protecting the kingdom and killing his kin.

What is Arjuna's problem with fighting? ›

In this instance, the warrior Arjuna finds himself in a difficult position; to fight a war against evil, he must fight members of his own family, which would normally be a sin. Krishna must teach Arjuna how to know what to do when faced with conflicting duties.

How does Krishna respond to Arjuna's dilemma? ›

On the brink of a great battle, Arjuna is overwhelmed with misgivings and expresses his qualms to Krishna, his charioteer—a combination bodyguard and court historian. Krishna persuades Arjuna to do his duty as a man born into the class of warriors, which is to fight.

What is the moral of the story of Arjuna? ›

Moral of the Arjun and the Crocodile Story

The moral of this short story is that one should always help people in need if he/she is capable of it. Like Arjuna had the boon of never getting killed by water creatures, he was capable of helping the sage, so he did.

What is the lesson that Arjuna has to learn? ›

Focus and dedication

But Arjun was focused to hit the bird's eye, which made him hit the target. And dedication is the element that made him the best of all time. So, if we have focus and dedication then everything becomes achievable and easy!

What is Arjuna's problem in the Gita? ›

Arjun's supreme dilemma in Bhagavad Gita is that he doesn't want to fight the Kauravas. The Kauravas are the cousins of Pandavas.

What is the central dilemma and message of the Bhagavad Gita? ›

Embracing One's Duty: One of the central teachings of the Bhagavad Gita revolves around the concept of 'Dharma', or duty. Arjuna, facing a moral dilemma on the battlefield, is counselled by Krishna to fulfill his righteous duty as a warrior.

What does Bhagavad-Gita say about facing problems? ›

Lord Krishna Said, God is supreme and omnipresent. During adverse situations, your near and dear ones may leave you, however, I will be always with you, my love is unconditional. So, perform every action as my action with love.

What is Arjuna's dilemma in the Bhagavad Gita quizlet? ›

-He does not want to fight, because his so-called enemies of battle are his kin—his cousins, teachers, friends; -Facing his kin on the battlefield, Arjuna becomes deeply troubled by the idea of killing them; -Arjuna, not wanting to kill his kin in battle, attempts to efface the issue at hand.

What was the first reason for Arjuna's to not fight? ›

Arjuna was not prepared to fight Kurukshetra-war in the beginning and was arguing against fighting war. His approach to the problem was named by Shri Krishna as Nishkāma Karmayoga. Maharishi Veda Vyasa is the author of the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita.

What was Arjuna's focus story? ›

According to Swami Parmeshwaranand, Arjuna was Drona's most accomplished pupil. He notes an incident where Drona deemed that out of all his students, none but Arjuna had the steadfast focus to shoot the eye of a toy bird on a tree using a bow and arrow, and that Drona was proven right.

What is the key message of the story of the warrior Arjuna and Krishna? ›

We call upon the warrior to act with courage, integrity, and devotion. Action for action's sake, non-attachment, and devotion are some themes that arise in the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna.

What is the moral dilemma of Arjun? ›

Throughout The Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna is invariably challenged with the ethical dilemma of war and the inevitably of physical demise. Arjuna must commit himself to his own morals and ethics, which appease his physical and emotional desires, or allow them to be driven and guided by the will of Brahman.

What are two arguments Krishna used to persuade Arjuna to fight? ›

Krishna encourages Arjuna to fight even though he does not want to. Krishna explains concepts such as duty and the illusion of death in order to motivate Arjuna to fight.

What was the dilemma of Arjun in Mahabharata? ›

Arjun, despite knowing that the Kauravas were evil, didn't want to fight them because (after all) they were relatives. If he didn't fight them, then the evil would win and would rule for innumerable years and he will be responsible for the misery of people under the Kauravas regime.

What made Arjuna's illusion dispelled? ›

Arjuna said: By my hearing the instructions You have kindly given me about these most confidential spiritual subjects, my illusion has now been dispelled. TEXT 2: O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the appearance and disappearance of every living entity and have realized Your inexhaustible glories.

What was the advice to Arjuna? ›

It is precisely to limit the harmful effects of war that Krishna recommends Arjuna that he engage in war only after he builds up an internal constitution that nurtures calmness and peace over the passions of anger, hate and vengeance as well as the urge to win or express his strength and superiority, all of which, ...

What is the dilemma of the Mahabharata? ›

Mahabharata shows the different characters struggling with their moral dilemmas as they try to reach their own truth whether driven consciously or unconsciously to that end. After all, all human life is a journey towards fulfilling one's swadharma while being true to one's dharma towards society.

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