In the previous episode, we had witnessed Arjuna surrendering to Bhagawan Krishna amidst the Kurukshetra battlefield, as his confusions and trauma upon seeing all his family members and friends around him are increasing beyond levels. Arjuna’s surrender comes at a time when he doesn’t know how to proceed from here on and he requests Bhagawan to accept him either as His disciple or His ardent devotee. By surrendering to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet, Arjuna requests Him to clarify all the doubts that he has in his mind. We can also do this surrender every day in front of Bhagawan. We should always remember one thing clearly – No matter whatever effort we put in to finish any task or activity, without Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha” nothing would get fulfilled in the proper sense. Similarly, we might not have definitive answers for many aspects in life, and hence, it becomes all the more pertinent to surrender to Bhagawan, seeking answers for all the doubts we might have.
Moving on thus, we have to now start with Bhagawan’s reply. The shloka goes thus:
“Sanjaya Uvaacha!
Evamuktvaa rishikesham gudaakeshah paranthapa!
Na yotsya ithi govinda muktvaa thooshnim babhoova ha!!”
Here, as usual, we’re seeing Sanjaya talking all these to King Dhritarashtra. We should never forget this sequence till the end. Now, Bhagawan Rishikesha (Bhagawan Krishna, who has complete control over all the senses) is going to talk to “Gudaakesha” (Arjuna, who has complete control over his sleep!) It is believed widely that Arjuna can be wide awake for how much ever time he wants to, without needing to rest! Thus, as Sage Vyaasa is narrating all this, he ends this shloka with a “Ha” note! This means that Arjuna, who is never afraid of anything in life, has, for the first time, tasted what fear is! Sage Vyaasa couldn’t believe that such a thing happened, and hence he expresses his surprise through the notation “Ha” at the end of this shloka. Normally, Arjuna is also referred to as “Savyasaachi” which means “Ambidextrous”. This implies that Arjuna can use the “Gaandeepa” with equal strength from both his left and right hands! This shows the power that Arjuna has, isn’t it? Normally, as we’ve seen earlier as well, holding the “Gaandeepa” bow itself is not easy for many people. If one has to even hold it in his hand, it requires enormous power. Apart from this, if one has to fight with the “Gaandeepa” with equal strength in both hands / shoulders, it is something miraculous! At numerous occasions in the past we’ve also witnessed Arjuna fighting wars singlehandedly and winning them effortlessly! If such a person has to get confused and should drop the “Gaandeepa” down on the ground, there is something really wrong with him. The problem with Arjuna here is that he is confused between what is “Dharma” and what is “Adharma”. He is of the opinion that killing all his family members / friends, etc. in the battlefield is gross “Adharma” and protecting their vested interests and agenda is “Dharma”!
Now this is where we need Bhagawan to clarify things to Arjuna. Now here we can see one thing very clearly – If someone is instilled with fear, we know how this person gets confused and struggles to take a step forward. Arjuna is a clear example of how fear acts in a human being! No matter how powerful Arjuna might be, the factor called “fear” has brought him down to his knees, isn’t it? This is exactly what fear can do to a human being. It doesn’t really matter how powerful and accomplished we are, in front of “fear”! It can make a human being completely shut mentally and physically! This is where we’ve to be very careful and this Bhagawad Gita teaches us this apt lesson as to how we should overcome fear! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 