Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita, book two verses 1-3

We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages. This is the eighth post on The Bhagavad Gita.

From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita…

1) Sanjaya spoke:
To him thus overcome by pity, despairing,
whose eyes were filled with tears and downcast,
Krishna spoke these words:

2) The Blessed Lord spoke:
Whence has this timidity of yours come to you in time of danger?
It is not acceptable in you, does not lead to heaven,
and causes disgrace, Arjuna.

3) Do not become a coward, Arjuna.
This is not suitable to you.
Abandoning base faintheartedness,
stand up, Arjuna!

I have to admit, I am finding it very challenging to my peace-loving heart, these words. I am glad there are so many more verses in the Gita, to allow me to fully understand Sri Krishna’s meaning.

I’ve always taken the Mahabharata to be more symbolic than literal, particularly in the war. In an earlier part, Krishna asks if everything has been done to prevent the war. But now it is here, he seems to be saying that Arjuna must be fully committed to it. In other sections it is suggested that the real war isn’t on the battlefield, but in the heart. If we look at this war as a metaphor for our souls and the struggle to free ourselves and attain moksha, then yes I think a lot of courage is needed.

But maybe that’s not what the Gita means. I think it is important not to take any few verses without the context of the rest, and so I must dig in further and examine the rest of the verses to understand what Lord Krishna is saying here.

It is worth noting that when Sri Krishna says it is not suitable to you, he is speaking of him as an “Aryan.” “Not befitting an Aryan.” And I’m not sure exactly what that means. Does that apply to all of us? The second time (in verse 3) that Krishna says “not suitable to you” that you is tvayi. That one is a personal one directly to him.

Bad guys do need to be stopped. Knowing when you’ve found someone truly bad or a situation bad enough to justify killing. Well, that’s the tricky part. Most of us don’t have Krishna there to tell us exactly who the “bad guys” are. But, as my friend Jeramy points out, when you find yourself in front of something unconscionable, you have to stand up for what’s right and not back down.