Just imagine what would have been the outcome of the Mahabharat war if Arjuna would have fled the battlefield. Cunning Duryodhana guided by Sakuni would have become the ruler and under his rein, we could easily understand what would have been the plight of common men and women.
But Arjuna was fortunate because he had chosen to be with Krishna. Not just that he was even willing to listen from Krishna without any prejudice. By hearing Gita directly from Krishna, the Supreme Lord, and by applying Bhagavad Gita’s transcendental wisdom in his life, Arjuna changed his future and the outcome of the ghastly war.
In our life too, we have to fight many battles. Our battles may not be as big as that of Arjuna but whatever challenges we face have the potential to change the direction of our life. It can either bring great glory or bring big misfortune.
It all depends upon the choices we make in our life. If like the heroic warrior, Arjuna, we decide to turn towards Krishna then we too will win the battles of our life.
When overwhelmed with confusion and despondency Arjuna approached Krishna then Krishna did not teach him the archery skill to fight the formidable warriors on the kuru side. Nor did he give any mundane motivational talk as how not to have doubt in his own ability.
But from the beginning Krishna helped Arjuna understand his real constitutional position that he is not the mundane body but spirit soul. And as spirit soul, he is eternally related to him.
Bhagavad Gita’s transcendental wisdom helps us understand that this material world and the perishable body are temporary dwelling place for us and we should not get too much attached to it. But instead, we should focus more on coming out of this entanglement of material existence.
Krishna’s important message for us
How to do so, is also told by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. The Supreme Lord says that whatever we do, we should do it for him. We should never run away from our responsibilities and duties but whatever actions we perform its result should immediately be offered to him. He further says that we should never succumb to lust, greed and anger because these are gateways to hell.
If we abide by the principles of Bhagavad Gita and apply Gita’s transcendental wisdom in our life, then nothing of this material world will ever disturb us. Just like Arjuna gave the rein of his chariot to Krishna, we too should give the rein of our life to Krishna. We too will then always emerge victorious. That victory will also gradually take us towards Krishna and free us from material entanglement. While fighting the gruesome war at the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna always remembered Krishna.
We too should never forget Krishna but should always remember Krishna. This is what Krishna expects us to do.
“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.” Bhagavad Gita 18.65
Once Krishna becomes the centre of our life then nothing in this material world will ever bring tears in our eyes. Instead with Krishna we will celebrate every moment of our life.
Three reflections
- Our battles may not be as big as that of Arjuna but whatever challenges we face have the potential to change the direction of our life.
- Just like Arjuna gave the rein of his chariot to Krishna, we too should give the rein of our life to Krishna.
- While fighting the gruesome war at the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna always remembered Krishna.
Ask Yourself
- Do I remember Krishna while performing our duty?
Action Item
- List down 3 qualities of Arjuna which you like, and you want to apply in your life.
