|| Shri Hari ||

Taking Refuge in Gita

continued....

Even though the Lord was a very close friend of Arjuna,  then too the Lord never gave the message of the Gita to him. However, at the time of war, when the weapons were ready to be used on both sides  -  

Pravruitte shastrasampaate dhanurudyamya paandavah”  

(Gita 1/20).

During that time, the Lord shared the gospel of Gita with Arjuna !  Was this an opportune time of peace and quiet for sharing the Gita?   The answer to this is that previously Arjuna had not become  restless in this manner,  or  taken refuge in the Lord.     On the battlefield, when he saw, that both parties had his kith and kin,  then a dilemma crept in as to whether to fight or not?   Will we win in battle or will the Kauravas win?   Is my supreme good in fighting the war or is it in not fighting?  He took refuge in the Lord and prayed-  

Kaarpanya dosho pahataswabhaavah

prucchaami tvaam dharmasamoodhchetaah |

Yacchreyah syaannischintam broohi tanme

Shishyasteham shaadhi maam tvaam prapannam ||     

(Gita 2/7)   

“My nature is overwhelmed with the vice of faint-heartedness and my mind is confused with regard to my duty.  I entreat you,  to please tell me what is decidedly for my eternal good.  I am your disciple.  Do instruct me,  who have taken refuge in you.”  (Gita 2/7)   

Thus, in the beginning of the Gita,  Arjuna takes refuge in God and asks about his supreme good, his salvation and in the end God tells Arjuna to take refuge in Him -  

“Maamekum sharanam vraj”  (Gita 18/66)  

Arjuna first told the Lord that “I have taken refuge in You,   please advice me”,   but immediately thereafter he says “I will not fight”  saying so Arjuna became quite -  

“Na yotsya iti govindamuktvaa tushnim babhoova ha”  

(Gita 2/9).

 

Lord did not think this to be proper, but He did not say anything.   Due to being extremely compassionate, the Lord began to deliver His message.   

    (continued....)

 

From book in hindi “Jit Dekhu Titi Tu” by Swami Ramsukhdasji