In the previous episode, we had witnessed an offshoot discussion as part of the culmination of the Bhagawad Gita of Bhagawan Krishna wherein, we tried to address a few concerns stating that Bhagawan Krishna incited violence through these 700 shlokas into Arjuna’s mind. Of course, this narrative that is floating around is extremely unfortunate and is falsely built to hurt all our sentiments. Readers might be knowing by now – In even a single shloka that we’ve seen till now in the Bhagawad Gita, did Bhagawan Krishna talk about inciting violence and killing anybody? All that Bhagawan Krishna says is to perform one’s duty (“Karma Yoga”) no matter whatever that duty is. This duty should be done with a lot of dedication towards Bhagawan and a person who is able to do so is able to attain the highest “Atma-Saakshaakaaram”. In this narrative, what is so infectious that it is mooting Arjuna to go for violence? Of course, as a “Kshatrya” warrior, Arjuna’s duty is to fight and protect the kingdom and its people, which is what Bhagawan wants Arjuna to do, instead of running away from his duty. So what is wrong with this? In the same argument, can we tell all our Army Jawans to shun all their weapons and come back to their homes by leaving the border territories of our country to be attacked by enemies? It is not possible, isn’t it? Hence, for those fringe elements who try to come up with such fake narratives, my only advice is this – Of course, you have every right to talk about what you feel like, but before that, please read the subject thoroughly before you utter something! Please do not come up with half-baked narratives and if you do so, be prepared to get brutally thrashed!
Moving ahead now, Arjuna is taking over the “Gaandipa” bow yet again in his hands and at this time, Sage Vaishampayana says thus,
“Sarva shaastramayee gitaa sarva devamayo harihi!
Sarva teerthamayee gangaa sarva vedamayo manuhu!!”
This is a very important shloka which is being narrated by Sage Vaishampayana to King Janame Jaya. Readers should not forget the old story here – All these narratives of whatever happened in the lives of the Paandava brothers are being narrated by Sage Vaishampayana to King Janame-Jaya, who is the grandson of Arjuna. This is happening several years after Arjuna and Co. passed away from this world! We’ve seen how king Janame-Jaya is performing the “Satra-Yaagam” and Sage Vaishampaayana is stopping him from proceeding further with it, because King Janame-Jaya wants all the snakes to come and die inside this huge Yaagam” (Offering). At this time, the entire narrative of the Mahabharata text happens and Sage Vaishampayana narrates the entire story to King Janame-Jaya. Readers should not forget this background at any point of time. So here, Sage Vaishampayana after narrating the entire Bhagawad Gita “Charitra” to King Janame-Jaya says thus, “Oh Janame-Jaya! A combination of all the Vedas is none other than King Manu! A combination of all holy rivers in this world is none other than River Ganges! A combination of all Devatas in this world is none other than Bhagawan Hari (Bhagawan Vishnu)! Similarly, a combination of all Shaastras is nothing but this Bhagawad Gita! Hence, this Bhagawad Gita is extremely significant as it has come from the mouth of none other than Bhagawan Krishna Himself!”
Sage Vaishampayana continues thus, “Oh Janame-Jaya! If you’re able to remember the four “Ga’s” in your mind at all times, you will never need to take another birth in this world! So what are the four “Ga’s” that one should remember? They are, Gita, Ganga, Gayatri and Govinda! If you’re able to remember these four “Ga’s” in your life, this will become your last birth in this world!” So for today, let us understand and appreciate the significance of the Bhagawad Gita that we’ve seen till now for the past 130-odd-episodes and let us wait till the next episode to continue with this discussion forward, wherein Sage Vaishampayana is going to narrate how many shlokas Bhagawan Krishna narrated and how many shlokas Arjuna narrated! An interesting arithmetic awaits us tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 