Arjun Vishaad Yog-Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1

4to40.com January 16, 2015 Bhagavad Gita 9,806 Views

Arjun Vishaad Yog-Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 [Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra]

Sanjaya Said > Shaloka: 24

English

O descendant of Bharata, being thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna drew up he fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties.

In the presence of Bhisma, Drona and all other chieftains of the world, Hrsikesa, the lord. said, Just behold, Partha, all the Kurus who are assembled here.

Purport

In this verse Arjuna is referred to as Gudakesa. Gudaka means sleep, and one who conquers sleep is called gudakesa. Sleep also means ignorance. So Arjuna conquered both sleep and ignorance because of his friendship with Krsna. As a great devotee of Krsna, he could not forget Krsna even for a moment, because that is the nature of a devotee. Either in waking or in sleep, a devotee of the Lord can never be free from thinking of Krsna’s name, form, quality and pastimes. Thus a devotee of Krsna can conquer both sleep and ignorance simply by thinking of Krsna constantly. This is called Krsna consciousness, or samadhi. As Hrsikesa, or the director of the senses and mind of every living entity, Krsna could understand Arjuna’s purpose in placing the chariot in the midst of the armies. Thus He did so, and spoke as follows.

As the Supersoul of all living entities, Lord Krishna could understand what was going on in the mind of Arjuna. The use of the word Hrsikesa in this connection indicates that He knew everything. And the word Partha, or the son of Kunti or Prtha, is also similarly significant in reference to Arjuna. As a friend, He wanted to inform Arjuna that because Arjuna was the son of Prtha, the sister of His own father Vasudeva, He had agreed to be the charioteer of Arjuna. Now what did Krsna mean when He told Arjuna to “”behold the Kurus””? Did Arjuna want to stop there and not fight? Krsna never expected such things from the son of His aunt Prtha. The mind of Arjuna was thus predicted by the Lord in friendly joking.