Monday, November 24, 2008

Gitabhasya of Jagannatha Prakasa: 2:3-10: Surrender Unto the Lord!



The Gitabhasya

Of Jagannatha Prakasa

Translation and Commentary by Jagannatha Prakasa (John of AllFaith © 1993/2008)

Sankhya Yoga:
Yoga of the Intellect

2:3: Do not adopt this impotence, O son of Partha; it is not appropriate for you. Give up this petty weakness of heart, stand up, O Paramtapa [Arjuna].

    Here we catch a glimpse of our own nature and purposes. Arjuna had been referring to Sri Krsna as Madhusudana (Slayer of the demon Madhu) and similar names suggestive of the Lord's power to defeat His enemies, but now the Lord refers to Arjuna as Paramtapa, as "Chastiser of enemies!" It is our responsibility and duty as godly people to resist evil using the gifts and abilities granted us by the One God. Certainly this was all the more true of Arjuna as a Kshatriya, but it applies to all who claim to believe in the God of Light. The requirements of ahimsa or non-violence refer to not harming other living beings unnecessarily, however we are also called to stand when the need arises and to chastise the enemies of God and righteousness! Sri Krsna here is saying in effect, "Don't look at me! Do something! Stand! You are Paramtapa!"

    The Bhagavad Gita is set during the most bitter war ever fought. It is not a treatise on pacifism, it is a source book on how and when to stand both spiritually and materially! And, on doing no harm.

2:4: Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, O slayer of enemies, how can I battle Bhishma and Drona with arrows and fight against those who are worthy of my worship?

2:5, 6: It is better to live on alms here, in this world, than to slay the noble gurus simply to enjoy wealth and desire when those enjoyable things would be tainted with their blood.

Nor do we know which is better for us, that we should conquer them or they should conquer us. Situated before us are the sons of Dhritarashtra, whom, should we kill, we would not desire to live.

    Arjuna here brings us to a most important point. He considers that perhaps it would be more righteous for him to forgo spiritual advancement to the heavenly planets or realms rather than fight with his noble opponents. We know from chapter one that Arjuna realizes they are on the wrong side of the battle, still he is ready to sacrifice his spiritual development on their behalf. Not only that, he is also prepared to give up his material advancement and comforts, to live as a beggar in the streets, rather than take their lives.

    And here is a key... "Nor do we know which is better for us..." Arjuna understands the importance of intellect, of reason and intelligence. The Lord has already convinced him that trusting his emotions is insufficient. Now Arjuna is realizing that his intellect is likewise not enough. As before he looks to the Lord for his answer.

2:7: Due to my faulty and inferior nature my heart is confused concerning my [military] duty and religious obligations. I take refuge of You as Your disciple; please tell me decisively what is best for me.

2:8: Having obtained a prosperous and unrivaled kingdom on earth or even lordship over the devas, even that would not dispel my lamentation which is withering away my senses.

    Arjuna has now reached rock bottom and is ready to surrender unto the Lord. He realizes that all of his wealth, his emotions, his honor, his position in society, his intellectual faculties and even his religious piety can not save him, can not release him from the prison of material suffering. With this realization he utterly surrenders to the Lord!

2:9: Sanjaya said: Having thus spoken to Hrishikesha [Krsna] Gudakesha [Arjuna], the terror of his foes, said to Govinda, "I will not fight," and fell silent.

2:10: O descendant of Bharata [Dhritarashtra], in the midst of both armies Hrishikesha [Krsna], smiling as it were, said these words unto the lamenting [Arjuna]:

    At last Arjuna, fully emptied of false ego and pride, has submitted himself to the Lord. Now Sri Krsna can assist him... and us! This brings a smile to the transcendental face of the Lord because He is our eternal well wisher. Coercion and laws, whether secular or religious, can never bring a person to the point of realization. Only submission to the One god as conceived can accomplished this. Once the Soul achieves this point of surrender spiritual life begins! Arjuna just reached this point.


Om
Jai Jagannatha!
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