In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Vyaasa himself expressing a huge surprise as Arjuna, who is considered to be a strong-minded person, collapses in front of Bhagawan Krishna by putting down the “Gaandeepa” on the ground and weeping bitterly. How can such a person lose his calm and demeanour so easily? The real factor that is playing in Arjuna’s mind is “fear”! What is the fear we are talking about in this context? It is nothing but the fear of losing his own family members and friends. It is not the fear of losing the war that Sage Vyaasa is explaining here. He talks about the fear of whether Arjuna would commit an act of “Adharma” in the name of “Dharma”! In other words, Arjuna is confused between what is “Dharma” and “Adharma” in this context. He is of the thought process that he is going to commit a grave act of “Adharma” by killing Duryodhana and Co. in the war!
Now this is the fear and confusion that might be running in many of our minds as well. This is why we require the complete clarity which differentiates between “Dharma” and “Adharma”. Bhagawan Krishna is now going to give Arjuna this important clarity, which is grossly applicable to all of us as well. With this important setting up of the context, Bhagawan Krishna is now going to begin His accord. Sage Vyaasa says through Sanjaya thus,
“Tam uvaacha rishikeshaha prahasanniva bhaarata!!”
Now Bhagawan Krishna is going to commence His lengthy accord and He does so with a beaming smile on His face! We would all be wondering one thing – Why should Bhagawan Krishna smile and laugh here? On one hand, Arjuna is weeping bitterly and is pouring out his emotions and on the other hand we have Bhagawan Krishna smiling and laughing at Arjuna! How can this happen in such a contrasting way? Swami Vedanta Desika, one of the most revered “Aachaarya” in the “Shri Vaishnava Sapradaayam” gives a beautiful accord on this. Why should Bhagawan Krishna laugh? Swami says thus, “Anyway, whatever Bhagawan Krishna is going to say is not something that is easy to understand for Arjuna! He is going to struggle to understand His words and make sense out of it and because of this, Arjuna is going to cry further. Now if Bhagawan also cries or maintains a sober face, Arjuna is not even going to understand what little he might be able to do. Hence, to cheer up Arjuna and make him understand the tough language, Bhagawan Krishna had a beaming smile on His face!”
For instance, if I’m going to write something on Upanishads wherein the meanings and philosophies explained there are extremely tough to decipher, all of us will either sleep off while reading, or will start crying that we’re not able to understand head or tail of what is written, isn’t it? This is why I’ve to present the content with some apt “smileys” that come today along with the writing script! 🙂 This might cheer all of us up and motivate us to understand the seemingly difficult philosophies behind the tough subject. This is not only the reason why Bhagawan Krishna smiled at Arjuna beamingly. There is one more important reason behind it. Bhagawan laughs at Arjuna wittingly because He thinks thus, “Oh my dear Arjuna! See how I’ve made you as my divine instrument and I’m going to present a very important “Gita-Shaastra” to this whole world! If you were not here with me, would I have an opportunity to give this to the world? It is only because you are with me, I’m able to fulfil one of the most important purposes of my divine incarnation in this world! Killing Raakshasas, establishing “Dharma” in this world, etc. are all fine! For this, my presence is not required in this world. I can do it from Vaikunta itself! However, I should also teach the world how to follow the path of “Dharma” and attain the highest “Moksha”, isn’t it? For this to happen, my divine presence in this world is essential, and that too, if I’m with you, this would materialize!”
What a great philosophy this is! Now we can understand from here that Bhagawan incarnates in this world, not merely to establish the “Dharma” here, but also to formulate guidelines as to how we follow the “Dharma” and succeed! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 