| << | Chapter 11 Verses 15-21 | >> |
| < | > | |
|
अर्जुन उवाच - arjuna uvāca - |
||
|
15 16 18 |
||
|
Krishna’s role as Sadguru In the war field of Kurukshetra, the Bhagavad Gita episode stands paramount for the exceptional notes it strikes and the unique spiritual and philosophical worth it carries. Two intriguing instances stand out prominently, and the message they carry is clear and ever appealing. The first is initiated by the sudden eagerness of Arjuna to inspect the army. The second is the thoughtless fascination to see the visvarupa as well as the sudden consternation he felt on seeing it. How skillfully Sri Krishna responded to Arjuna’s order by taking the chariot right in front of Bheeshma and Drona! The sight of the venerable elders steeped Arjuna in utter doubt, dejection and weakness. What he perhaps thought as a heroic step proved weakening. It led Krishna to the unprecedented task of dealing with the moral as well as psychological crisis of Arjuna and take the Kurukshetra mission forward. Was it to serve this extraordinary role that Krishna, as if in forethought, had offered to Duryodhana his Narayani-sena (Army), while placing himself – alone, unarmed – by the side of Arjuna? “Untold harm alone will befall us from this sinful war. I cannot think of killing my kith and kin, whatever may be the need or prize. Let me abandon the mission and take instead to hallowed mendicancy.” Muttering these words, did Arjuna keep his bow and arrow down and sit dejected behind Krishna in the chariot. If Arjuna’s words spelt sorrowful dejection and doubt, Krishna’s expressions thundered forceful admonition. Krishna had to accomplish this Instructor’s role and redress Arjuna’s grief and debility. The power of his words, the inspiration and enlightenment they showered, were ineffable. The dialogue even today reveals the great magic that words of enlightenment can work on the human mind in its distress and consternation. The situation made Krishna rise to the level of a Sadguru – Universal Teacher, the Supreme. The dialogue grew unexpectedly deep and extensive, leading to questions, answers and clarifications. With Arjuna’s receptivity turning into sustained enquiry, Krishna’s exposition also became matchingly eloquent and wholesome. This transition in a fighter from the thoughts of battle to the search for the supreme Truth, will ever remain a splendid feature of the eternal Kurukshetra dialogue. It illustrates how spiritual quest has its relevance in any vibrant situation of life. Equally so, it depicts graphically how the message of the Soul is an eternal wholesome treasure, from which any seeking or distressed mind can draw strength, confidence and freedom. Krishna’s clarion call has been to avoid being caught in the snares of sensory enchantments. Getting enchanted by any sight, sound or other sensory perceptions is something to be sternly avoided and safeguarded against. And yet, alas, Arjuna is tantalized by the visvarupa vision! For any intelligent seeker, the boundless existence of the universe is a matter of clear perception, both sensory and supra-sensory. In this is the origin as well as the end of everything and all, is also equally apparent. One sees the birth and death of beings all around. What further needs to be seen to make the idea clear and strong? Alas, human mind is always prone to be trapped by its emotional flair, a weakness and delusion Krishna has sternly warned about and dissuaded. Did he not emphasize the danger of being carried away by the flowery speeches of the Vedas and also about the ritualistic life and its rewards (2.42-44)? Instead, see how the visvarupa splendour entices Arjuna! Allurement overtakes the mind. This is how devotees, even in the final stages of their sadhana, get drawn by one attraction or another – either of this world or of the other imaginary ones! Thereby, they deny themselves the supreme goal of Self-realization and fulfillment! Any extent of caution, warning and persuasion will not be excess in this regard, is a great lesson the episode offers. As for Vyasadeva’s rendering of the theme, there are three distinct facets in the portrayal: 1. Krishna showing the whole universe as inhering in a single source – the sole theme of spirituality as well as philosophy and religion, a point that no seeker should miss at any time. In fact this is the only message of the Vedas and Upanishads – sarvam khalvidam brahma. 2. Sanjaya reporting whatever Arjuna saw, thereby indicating that he too witnessed the whole episode. 3. Then Arjuna himself stating whatever he saw before him and felt thereafter. The whole episode thus becomes quite ‘subjective’ and ‘personal’ to the mind that experiences it. In every one what works is his own imagination and purpose. The same mind being present in all, can though rarely, bring about the same phenomena – like two or more people dreaming alike. Destruction – Complement to Creation Vedavyasa brings the same order here, as is found everywhere in the puranas – the mythological texts. Arjuna first perceives Brahma, the Creator, heading all the super humans, together with all the materials for creation. This is just a passing note to inaugurate the episode with a touch of creational process. Countless hands, stomachs, faces and eyes suddenly come into view. The vision becomes huge and unbounded, defying any clear assessment. Arjuna gets lost in its splendour and awed by its magnitude. It evades every dimension and is beyond any beginning or middle or end! It is altogether mystic, stupendous and ineffable! But the main significance was the immensity of the destruction and extinction of every creature in what he saw. To highlight this aspect, the vision becomes even more vivid. Arjuna finds the world around him, namely earth, water, air, sky, etc., enfolded in the sight in front. The profundity, expanse and variety of what he sees suddenly frighten him. What was his ambition just a few moments back, and what is his reaction now! He loses all composure and self-control. Is this what he yearned for or aspired to see? Choked with fright, he had spoken: “Whereas all others are struck with fear by your dreadful form, only the Wise and the Sages are feeling at home with this stunning vision, praising you with divine hymns.” These words (11.21) of Arjuna are more a warning and caution to the world than a personal confession. |
||
