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II.1:
Sanjaya said, "To him, who had been thus filled with pity, whose
eyes were filled with tears and showed distress, and who was sorrowing,
Madhusudana(Krishna) uttered the following words."
II.2 and 3: Sri Krishna said, "O Arjuna! In this perilous situation,
whence has come to you this impurity entertained by unenlightened persons,
which does not lead to heaven and which brings infamy. Yield not to
unmanliness. This does not befit you. O scorcherer of foes, arise, giving
up the petty weakness of the heart."
The first chapter is titled - 'Visad-Yoga (Yoga of despair/grief)'.
Arjuna is deeply immersed in sorrow/Despondency. The first thing required
now is to remind him of the infinite inner strength and make him stand
up against all the weakening influences. Weakness of all types - physical-mental-spiritual-
has to be shunned. Bhagawad Gita is the gospel of strength. 'This imbecile-like
behavior does not become you, dear Arjuna; banish all weakness and stand
up to do your duty'. - Sri Krishna tells us through Arjuna.
Swami Vivekananda has said that this verse is the most important verse
of Gita. From the stand-point of Vedanta Philosophy or Hindu Theology
many other verses can be cited as important but from the point of view
of practical psychology, this is THE most important message. We must
have the self-confidence, the courage to positively take up the challenges
of life and should stoutly refuse to escape to the 'safe sanctuary'
(?) of ignorance. This is the positive practicality of Vedanta.
