The Central Conflict in the Bhagavad Gita
Krishna instructs the great warrior Arjuna in the Hindu literature called the Bhagavad Gita. The text’s primary conflict is Arjuna’s internal struggle over whether or not to fight his own family and teachers. As a warrior, Arjuna is obligated to fight with his relatives and tutors, yet he struggles with remorse and questions the justness of the conflict. He has second thoughts about murdering his loved ones and fears for their future.
Krishna’s Main Argument in Response to Arjuna’s Doubts
Dharma
Dharma, or a person’s duty and justice in life, is Krishna’s primary argument in answer to Arjuna’s struggle. Krishna insists that Arjuna, despite his reservations, must do his duty as a warrior and participate in the conflict (Lombardo & Davis). He says his refusal to do so would be a dereliction of duty and an abandonment of his dharma, so fighting is his responsibility (Lombardo & Davis).
Karma
Krishna stresses the importance of each individual’s dharma to society’s well-being. In addition, Krishna teaches karma and how each action has repercussions, but we must not get tied to the results of human deeds. He explains to Arjuna that he must take responsibility for his actions while remaining detached from the results. Krishna tells Arjuna that he should stop worrying about the outcome of the war and instead concentrate on doing what is right.
Immortal Soul
The concept of an immortal soul is another point Krishna expresses to Arjuna. To paraphrase, he says that although the body will eventually perish, the spirit will endure forever (Lombardo & Davis). No matter when or where it was created, the soul will continue to exist after the body has died. If Arjuna were to perish in battle, Krishna says, his soul would continue to exist, and he would be reunited with the divine.
In Hinduism, the soul is considered the immutable and unchanging part of a person. It is said to exist independently of the body, both before and after death (Rodrigues). As part of the cyclical process of birth, death, and rebirth known as samsara, the soul is constantly reborn into different physical forms (Rodrigues). For Hindus, one’s deeds in this life have repercussions in the next, a notion known as karma (Rodrigues).
One’s deeds in one lifetime are assumed to have consequences in the next, a concept called karma, which is central to the idea of reincarnation. To attain moksha, or emancipation from the cycle of birth and reincarnation, and to unite one’s soul with Brahman is the ultimate aim of life in Hinduism (Rodrigues). Moksha refers to this state, and it is said that reaching moksha releases one from all material constraints and pain.
Summary
In conclusion, Arjuna’s internal moral turmoil over fighting against his own family and teachers is the heart of The Bhagavad Gita. Krishna’s primary rebuttal points are dharma, karma, and the immortal soul. He stresses doing one’s responsibility, behaving without concern for the consequences, and understanding the soul’s immortality are all things he stresses. Through his discourses, Krishna enlightens Arjuna on his place in the world and the cosmos. The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred scripture and a profound work of philosophy that sheds light on the nature of humanity, ethics, and spirituality.
Works Cited
Lombardo, Stanley, and Richard H. Davis. Bhagavad Gita. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2019.
Rodrigues, H. P. Introducing Hinduism. Taylor & Francis, 2023.