I come here to praise Arjuna. Most translations I’ve read treat the poor man with mocking disrespect. Furthermore, most translations have an axe of belief to grind. And Arjuna is their whetstone.
Krishna begins his discourse on the many yogas in Chapter Two of the Bhagavad Gita. The truth spoken is indeed godlike. Here, Krishna begins to speak of the eternal Atman as well as Karma Yoga, working with no end in mind. This was Gandhi’s way and the source of his famous quote: “They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end...”
But none of this truth is heard without an all-important “act” of Arjuna’s early in the chapter. In fact, the first words in the chapter are Krishna’s admonishment to an egoic Arjuna. Yet Arjuna once again speaks in despair. But this time the emphasis is on an unwillingness to slay his previous teachers and gurus.
And then comes the all-important “act.” Here are three translations of his words to Krishna (2:7 and I would have loved to use Christopher Isherwood’s translation, but he skips this section of the chapter!):
“Hence I ask thee—tell me, I pray thee—in no uncertain language—wherein lies my good? I am thy disciple. Guide me. I seek refuge in thee.” ~Mohandas Gandhi
“I ask thee which may be the better—that tell me decisively. I take refuge as a disciple with thee; enlighten me.” ~Sri Aurobindo
“I beg of you to say for sure what is right for me to do. I am your disciple. Please teach me, for I have taken refuge in you” ~Sri Swami Satchinanda
Yes, Arjuna surrenders! Not to fear or loathing, but to Krishna Himself!
This is the one prerequisite for all real spirituality. In Zen, it’s called dropping off body and mind. In Advaita, it’s the essence of non-doing. In true Christianity, it’s thy will be done. Nisargadatta Maharaj says to “relax and watch the 'I am'.”
Arjuna rests in Krishna Consciousness and listens.
Krishna begins his discourse on the many yogas in Chapter Two of the Bhagavad Gita. The truth spoken is indeed godlike. Here, Krishna begins to speak of the eternal Atman as well as Karma Yoga, working with no end in mind. This was Gandhi’s way and the source of his famous quote: “They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end...”
But none of this truth is heard without an all-important “act” of Arjuna’s early in the chapter. In fact, the first words in the chapter are Krishna’s admonishment to an egoic Arjuna. Yet Arjuna once again speaks in despair. But this time the emphasis is on an unwillingness to slay his previous teachers and gurus.
And then comes the all-important “act.” Here are three translations of his words to Krishna (2:7 and I would have loved to use Christopher Isherwood’s translation, but he skips this section of the chapter!):
“Hence I ask thee—tell me, I pray thee—in no uncertain language—wherein lies my good? I am thy disciple. Guide me. I seek refuge in thee.” ~Mohandas Gandhi
“I ask thee which may be the better—that tell me decisively. I take refuge as a disciple with thee; enlighten me.” ~Sri Aurobindo
“I beg of you to say for sure what is right for me to do. I am your disciple. Please teach me, for I have taken refuge in you” ~Sri Swami Satchinanda
Yes, Arjuna surrenders! Not to fear or loathing, but to Krishna Himself!
This is the one prerequisite for all real spirituality. In Zen, it’s called dropping off body and mind. In Advaita, it’s the essence of non-doing. In true Christianity, it’s thy will be done. Nisargadatta Maharaj says to “relax and watch the 'I am'.”
Arjuna rests in Krishna Consciousness and listens.
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