To download
the lecture, please right-click here
and then click "Save Target As..."
I.28
and 29: Arjuna said, "Seeing, O Krishna, these my kinsmen, gathered
here eager for fight, my limbs fail me, my mouth is parched up, I shiver
all over my body; my hair stands on end; the bow, Gandiva, slips from
my hands; and my skin burns."
I.30: "Neither, O Keshava (Krishna), can I stand upright. My mind
is in a whirl. And I see adverse omens as well."
Lord Krishna is watching the plight of Arjuna, who caught in midst of
terrible attachments and is overcome with weakness and cowardice is
trying to cover it up with a façade of forgiveness. Standing
in the middle of the two armies and watching the Kauravas is this mighty
warrior, whose duty is to fight this just war. Arjuna's vision - which
is now colored with 'I & mine' - is unable to see anyone to fight
with. 'My loving relations - uncles, cousins, nephews, grandfathers,
teachers, friends …' - that is what he is seeing. 'I and mine'
- has over-ridden the sense of duty and justice.
This is what happens in life - we know what is our duty, we know we
must do it, we know it is right; BUT attachment to 'I & mine' make
us weak and we try to escape. This results in battered conscience, loss
of self-confidence and defunct intellect. A complete break-down, as
far as progressive, meaningful life is concerned.
Thus, this is a powerful lesson to us - do not give in to attachments;
act according to the sense of duty and justice.
