Class Summary for Sep 26, 2023 - Chapter-1 Summary exercise and Chapter-2 Intro

Summarized by: Sowmya Vasudevan

We discussed the group answers/exercise in the following order:

4. Achuta – who am I?

Achuta, representing Krishna, assumes a significant role. He remains silent, merely observing Arjuna as he grapples with his inner turmoil on the battlefield. Achuta's silence serves as a powerful presence, akin to that of parents watching over their child. His intention is to let Arjuna navigate his emotional outbursts and inner conflicts while providing silent support.

Krishna's actions are not without purpose. He strategically positions the chariot to offer Arjuna a clear view of the battlefield, allowing him to understand the Pandavas' position in the war. This positioning is a subtle gesture aimed at helping Arjuna find the strength and resolve to fight valiantly.

In essence, this interpretation portrays Arjuna as symbolizing the human mind, while Krishna embodies the intellect. Krishna's role as the intellect is to guide and direct Arjuna's mind towards making the right decisions and taking appropriate actions. He serves as a moral compass, assisting Arjuna in discerning his duty and fulfilling it.

3. Duryodhana – is he ready for the throne?

Duryodhana's readiness for the throne is questionable based on the following traits:

Arrogance: Duryodhana's excessive pride and arrogance are prominent features of his character. Such arrogance can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of humility, both of which are undesirable qualities in a leader.

Aatatayi (committing one of the 6 crimes): Duryodhana's involvement in all six crimes reflects a severe lack of moral and ethical values, which are crucial for effective leadership. He attempted to acquire the kingdom through unethical means, thereby committing one of these six crimes. It is evident that his actions represent Adharma.

Lack of Confidence: Duryodhana's constant need for reassurance and his apparent lack of confidence in winning the war indicate insecurity and self-doubt. Duryodhana expresses his insecurity by saying, 'As long as Bheeshma is protected, nothing will happen to me.'

Outcome-Oriented Focus: Duryodhana's preoccupation with the ultimate outcome, rather than prioritizing the right processes and actions, may lead to impulsive and ill-considered decisions. Effective leaders emphasize the importance of sound processes and ethical actions.

Disrespect for Relationships: Duryodhana's disrespect for important relationships, particularly his treatment of his Guru Dronacharya, demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the value of nurturing positive relationships in leadership. Successful leaders typically maintain respectful and constructive relationships with mentors and advisors.

He embodies everything that a good king should not be, serving as a reminder for us to be mindful of our own conduct in everyday life.

2.  Arjuna- the distinguishes warrior!

Arjuna is thoroughly prepared for the impending war and exudes confidence in his abilities. He rightfully bears the name 'Dhananjaya' in Chapter 1, signifying the Conqueror of wealth or enemies. Armed with Devadutta, the divine conch bestowed upon him by his divine father, Indra, and with the support of Lord Krishna or Purushottama, Arjuna possesses all the necessary advantages. However, when confronted with the challenge of waging war against the Kauravas, he succumbs to emotional distress.

Arjuna can be seen as a representation of the mind within the BMI (Body, Mind, Intellect) entity. He embodies the fragility of the human mind. It's a common human experience to be physically prepared for a situation or a demanding task, yet the mental burden of the situation can overwhelm us. Arjuna's breakdown is a vivid portrayal of this inner turmoil. His priorities shift due to a misplaced sense of compassion towards his teacher and grandsire.

Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita vividly illustrates Arjuna's inner conflict, where his attachment to his enemies, the Kauravas, who had committed numerous atrocities against the Pandavas, leads to a profound emotional crisis. Arjuna, much like us, forgets his true nature and the significance of his role, succumbing to doubt and confusion.

3. Dhritarashtra – King or Father?

Dhritarashtra, neither a good king nor a good father, epitomizes the saying 'Yatha Raja thatha prajaha' – as the king, so are the subjects. His failure as a father made it impossible for his son to become a good king. Dhritarashtra's vision and thoughts remained clouded; he was unable to exercise control over his son's actions. Despite numerous opportunities to rectify both himself and his son, he failed to seize them.

His children grew like unruly weeds, their behavior unchecked. Dhritarashtra's selfishness becomes evident in the phrase 'Mamaka Pandavachaiva Kima Kurvatha Sanjaya,' where he enquires about the battlefield situation between his children and Pandu's sons, differentiating between his children and Pandu's, even though Pandu's children were his own nephews. He should have shown love for them as well.

There were several occasions when he could have averted the impending war, but he didn't. History reveals that Dhritarashtra harbored deep-seated disappointment, refusing to accept that he lost the throne to his younger brother, Pandu, due to his blindness. Even though Dhritarashtra was the first son, his blindness rendered him incapable of effective rule, a truth his mind refused to acknowledge.

It serves as a reminder that in our various roles, we must find a balance in our actions. In our daily lives, we often find ourselves pulled in different directions, and the question arises: How do we prioritize and take effective action? This is a discussion that we will explore in the future.

Sanjaya  - who am I?

Sanjaya, known as a charioteer to King Dhritarashtra, plays a significant role in the Mahabharata. When the sage Veda Vyasa offered divine vision to King Dhritarashtra, he declined, and it was Sanjaya who received this divine sight. Throughout the Kurukshetra war, Sanjaya provided live commentary to Dhritarashtra, acting as a medium for the king's understanding. Due to Sanjaya's position and role, he could only subtly communicate with the king and was unable to offer direct advice or guidance.

Sanjaya symbolizes introspection and serves as a witness to the events. He maintains a non-judgmental and unbiased 'Sakshi bhava' or witnessing stance. Sanjaya's effectiveness as a communicator is notable; he subtly conveys to Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas are powerful representatives of Dharma and are likely to win the war. He also hints at the immense loss the war will cause, suggesting that it's not too late to prevent it and make peace with the Pandavas.

It should be noted that introspection can enhance our ability to think more clearly and make proactive, effective decisions when faced with challenging situations. It encourages us to take the right and corrective actions. During introspection, it's beneficial to adopt a 'Sakshi bhava' approach, simply observing the events of the day without judgment. 

Sanjaya is not only a skilled speaker but also an attentive listener. He successfully communicates all of Lord Krishna's teachings to Dhritarashtra and serves as the narrator in the Bhagavad Gita, playing a pivotal role in conveying the profound wisdom of the scripture.

Response to this type of discussion was solicited – everyone liked it since it opens our minds to receive valuable input from our classmates. 

Dhritarashtra – King or Father? Is it an Or/ And-or/And? Think of your own personal lives and the different roles that you play to show up the right way to whatever the situation is. 

Dhritarashtra is thinking more like a father than a king.  Just being a good King would have made Dhritarashtra a good father as well. So, it is more of an “And”

As we juggle various roles and wear different hats in our lives, it's essential to understand how to prioritize. Depending on the circumstances and our roles, we must embrace our Dharma and act accordingly. Each day, like Arjuna, we encounter minor or major conflicts and are faced with choices. It's common to experience analysis paralysis, feeling overwhelmed and tempted to drop all the responsibilities. However, the key is to stand firm, prioritizing our choices based on Dharma, and boldly make our choices. We must harness our intellect, symbolized by Krishna, to make the right choices. Like Sanjaya, we should aim to be effective communicators while staying true to our roles. Cultivating these leadership qualities is achievable by studying the Bhagavad Gita and integrating its teachings into our daily lives.

We chanted Gita Dhyana slokas and proceeded to the Introduction of Chapter 2. 

Chapter 2 serves as a summary of the entire Bhagavad Gita, offering the cure for Arjuna's malady as prescribed by Lord Krishna. It provides an eagle's-eye view of the entire Gita, with each of the subsequent 16 chapters delving deeper into the suggested solutions.

Slokas 1-10 outline Arjuna's problems and his growing realization of his helplessness, leading to his eventual surrender to the Lord, at which point Lord Krishna begins coaching him.

Slokas 11-46 represent Lord Krishna imparting Sankhya or Brahma Gnana, which can be likened to emergency surgery, offering the highest solution right at the beginning.

Slokas 47-60 delve into Karma Yoga, where Krishna provides secondary medicine.

Slokas 61-70 introduce Bhakti Yoga, where Krishna offers supplemental medicine.

Slokas 71-72 introduce Sanyasa Yoga or Renunciation, as a follow-up for a cured patient. These verses explore the state of Sthita Pragya, depicting how a person who knows the ultimate truth behaves and appears.

Chapter 2 is one of the most intense and captivating chapters in the Bhagavad Gita. It outlines the goal of life and expounds upon each point in the subsequent chapters. As homework, it is recommended to watch the suggested videos on Chapter 2 to gain a deeper understanding of its profound teachings.

01. From 24.22 Mark - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASxozAKVfCs&list=PLtaXzx-VKKfFXIDeTxZaOioiBLmIHPmTQ&index=4

02. Chapter-1 summary and Intro to Chapter-2 with a mix of SRK style humor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhyD_1Q8mzY&t=16s