Introduction
The Bhagavad Gita is part of a large epic called the Mahabharata. This Hindu scripture presents dialogues between Arjuna, a Pandava prince, and Krishna. In the first two chapters, readers see the armies of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, who are ready to begin the so-called righteous war.
In chapter I, called “Of the Distress of Arjuna,” the narrator shows Arjuna’s moral dilemma, and chapter II, “Of Doctrines,” illustrates Krishna’s answers. Although Arjuna was seemingly correct in trying to avoid the war with his relatives and friends, Krishna showed him that actions are necessary to follow his dharma of being a warrior. This paper aims to analyze the symbols and meanings of the mentioned chapters by examining the connections and significance of the topics discussed in the epic.
Dharma as the Leading Concept of the Bhagavad Gita
Brief Review of Chapters I and II
The background of the story is that Prince Arjuna, the leader of the Pandavas, accepted the challenge of his cousin, who took the kingdom from him and was ready to destroy his relatives. To better understand the Bhagavad Gita, it is important to note that the narrator is Sanjaya, who acted as an advisor to the blind king Dhritarashtra, the leader of the Kauravas (Arnold, 2022). Sanjaya was granted the power of a yogi, and he could see and hear everything that happened far away from him.
The first chapter begins by focusing on the armies gathered on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna was embarrassed as he put the so-called moral principles above his social duties (Arnold, 2022). He said that he must participate in the battle to protect the country from the evil of Duryodhana, the key antagonist of the story and battlefield leader of the Kauravas. Such revenge was necessary to properly respond to the brothers’ supreme actions. Arjuna tries to refuse it, claiming that he cannot kill relatives and some sinners for the sake of the kingdom, which is the central theme of the first chapter.
In the second chapter, called “Of Doctrines,” Arjuna asks Krishna to help him understand the battle and show him the way out. At that moment, Krishna takes his true form and acts as a Divine Teacher (Palshikar, 2017). Firstly, he clarifies that although Arjuna’s despair is understandable since he does not want to kill people close to him who have become enemies.
However, this despair does not have sufficient grounds, as there is generally no reason to grieve and be killed either for the living or for the dead. The explanation is that there was no time when any of the people living on earth did not exist (Palshikar, 2017). There will never be a time when they do not exist since only physical bodies appear and disappear, but the souls are eternal.
Discussing Possible Scenarios of the Battle
At the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita, the blind king Dhritaratshra asks Sanjaya about the meaning of gathering on the battlefield. Dhritaratshra asks a seemingly illogical question since it is evident that the armies converged before the battle. Although Dhritarashtra understands that the Holy Place will affect those who have gathered on it, he does not know exactly how. Therefore, this blind leader of the Kauravas asks his question, implying several scenarios.
The first scenario is that Duryodhana could succumb to the influence of dharma, thereby relinquishing his wrongful claim to the throne. Even though Dhritaratshra showed that this option would suit him as the etiquette of behavior prescribed so, he did not inwardly want this because of his selfish desires. The second scenario, as Dhritarashtra hoped, might affect Arjuna by sharpening his sensitivity to doing the dharma. In fact, Dhritarashtra foresaw the actions and words spoken by Arjuna later in the first chapter, as well as his conclusion that he would not fight to follow the dharma.
According to the third scenario, if the battle does take place, then the Holy Place will help the Pandava army because plants are grown on the field and weeds are removed. In turn, dharma is encouraged in the field of dharma, where Dhritarashtra’s sons, the representatives of dharma, should be destroyed (Arnold, 2022). One may conclude that Dhritarashtra wanted to know not the details of how the troops lined up before the battle but which of these three scenarios would occur.
Exploring Arjuna’s Moral Principles
Swami Prabhupada, an English translator of the epics, begins the Bhagavad Gita by explaining that this spiritual story can be understood only through the parampara system. In this system, Krishna is the true teacher, the true spiritual guide, and God Himself. He gives perfect knowledge, and this knowledge is transmitted from a teacher to a student (Palshikar, 2017). In the same way, ripe fruit passes from the top of the tree to the ground.
The narrator compares Arjuna with Duryodhana, the main antagonist and the eldest of the Kauravas, in the first chapter to show the qualifications of a person who can perceive spiritual knowledge in this way (Ithamar, 2023). It seems that Arjuna tried to pursue false moral principles since the ultimate morality is to follow God’s instructions. He acted likewise a saint, saying that he was ready to suffer and let them take the kingdom. Such a person deserves to be instructed because he has certain good qualities (Ithamar, 2023). Although he may be philosophically confused, he has good qualities, which means that he accepts Krishna’s authority.
The Bhagavad Gita begins with the word dharma, which is essential to understanding the epics’ meanings. It is one of the most important words in Indian culture, and it expresses some of its central concepts. Palshikar (2017) claims that the word dharma cannot be translated by any single word from European languages. The concept of dharma has many meanings, including justice, righteousness, true religion, the code of morality, the primordial nature of a being or phenomenon that holds the entire Universe in unity, and others.
In relation to Arjuna, he wanted to act in accordance with his own dharma, which also corresponds to universal laws (Palshikar, 2017). This means that he was seeking to follow his unique path to become happy, live in harmony, and comprehend all the secrets of existence. Therefore, Shri Krishna decided that Arjuna deserves and is ready to receive guidance.
Focusing on Krishna’s Advice and Arguments
In Hinduism, a person’s life force is called dharma, which lives within every person and never disappears. In the most general sense, a person’s atman is a comprehensive spiritual beginning, which can also be understood as self-consciousness (Ithamar, 2023). It was never born and will never die, which means that people are not only bodies. A person’s life with his feelings and sensations moves as if clouds pass through the sky, moving further and further away and disappearing from view.
Krishna explains to Arjuna that he has the dharma of a warrior (Ithamar, 2023). Regardless of the fact that his enemies are his cousins, they have already done and continue to do many negative actions. Accordingly, it is necessary to dispose the world of them, and then they will be reborn and continue their path in another reincarnation. Krishna shows Arjuna that the war he has been drawn into is a good opportunity for him to fight for a just cause. It can be compared to getting a pass to heaven. If one refuses to take part in the battle between good and evil, people may not fulfill their destiny and duty to their innermost Essence (Ithamar, 2016).
Accordingly, it is better to do an evil deed than not to do what is due when required. The main idea is not to be attached and not to be accustomed to people and objects, thus following one’s dharma. After the current life begins, a new one begins, so even such actions as war are good and not violent.
Those who, by hook or by crook, seek to save their lives are the most ordinary people; they cannot be called warriors (Ithamar, 2016). A real warrior must be ready not only to fight but also to die on the battlefield. He can be considered the winner, for whom happiness and suffering, success and failure, victory and defeat are equal.
Connections between the Gita’s Teaching and Modern Life
Modern people often try to take everything from their lives to enjoy their earthly existence. The Bhagavad Gita states that one must achieve an indifferent balance, overcome lust in the broadest sense of the word, and be freed from desires (Arnold, 2022). People of meager knowledge want pleasure, strength, and power, seeking magnificent ceremonies designed to gain various benefits.
They are convinced that there is nothing higher than this, but the Gita shows that pleasures that come from contact with the world are the source of suffering (Ithamar, 2016). The question is whether a person is capable of critical thinking and achieving true wisdom. If able, he or she will notice that the desire to acquire and own always leads to disappointment and unhappiness.
The Bhagavad Gita declares that victory is possible only through the spiritual path, following personal dharma. Ithamar (2016) supposes that Arjuna wonders why he is going to enter the battle and why life is so cruel and merciless. It seems that people of every era have their own ideas of God. These are the basic concepts of all world religions and philosophical systems.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna comes to the aid of a person in the midst of war and patiently explains to him the laws that govern human life (Bhattacharjee, 2021). For example, the idea of Karma yoga as the union with God through actions seems to be useful. On the path of this unity, even the smallest effort will not go to waste.
If a person wants to follow their path, they should learn to act not for their own benefit. This is easier to do if one’s mind is stable. Nevertheless, if a person hesitates, they will toss about under the pressure of conflicting decisions and exhaust their personal strength. Those whose minds are unstable will never achieve anything, while great success awaits only those whose minds are firm.
According to Bhattacharjee (2021), Krishna advises starting by eliminating three negative issues, including excessive attachment, fear, and anger. Indeed, those who have attained enlightenment are free from them. The more one’s knowledge of the divine increases, the less pleasure one seeks to receive, while unruly feelings constantly pull the mind aside (Bhattacharjee, 2021). Therefore, one must continually overcome personal feelings.
Today, when people also tend to confuse themselves and reflect on the meaning of their lives, it seems helpful to turn to Hindu teachings. I consider that the main issue in the Gita is the description of the structure of the world. When one sees how everything works, it becomes clear how to live and what to do to be happy.
Conclusion
Arjuna’s problem, which he could not handle, is that he does not understand what his dharma is and what his prescribed duties are. Krishna begins his exalted instructions and states that Arjuna’s dharma as a warrior is to participate in the battle even if he could kill his friends and relatives. After their bodily death, their souls reincarnate in other bodies since no one can be born and die, as souls are eternal. A person’s perfection can be measured by how much he or she has tamed greed and passions and achieved unity with God through actions, which means following dharma.
References
Arnold, E. (2022). The song Celestial or Bhagavad-Gita. DigiCat.
Bhattacharjee, G. (2021). Karmayoga in the Bhagavad Gita and contemporary time. Advances in Sciences and Humanities, 7(4), 152-160.
Ithamar, T. (2016). Exploring the Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy, structure, and meaning. Routledge.
Palshikar, S. (2017). Evil and the philosophy of retribution: Modern commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gita. Routledge India.
Ithamar, T. (2023). Extracting a humanistic philosophy of social and environmental well-being from the Bhagavad-Gītā. Journal of Dharma Studies, 1-12.