A change in Arjun is witnessed in the second chapter of the Bhagvad Geeta. Abhinav Khare deep dives to explore how Arjun analyses the problem further and what he discovers.
In the first episode we spoke of how Arjun was completely immersed in grief, attachment and delusion. He contemplates on even withdrawing from the war. But, from the very beginning of the second chapter, we see a change in Arjun, who analyses the problem further and he discovers:
First, his problem of attachment is indeed a fundamental problem which is impossible to be solved with mere superficial methods.
Second, he has to surrender himself completely to his Guru. His dedication should be unflinching to be able to find a solution to this fundamental problem.
Thus, Arjun becomes a Shishya to Krishna and Krishna becomes his Guru. The teachings shall now begin.
Krishna attacks Arjun’s idea of not going to war. He feels that the problems Arjun is facing are due to his ignorance and wise men are never ignorant. Krishna then explains that Arjun has to fight the war because it is his duty as a Kshatriya.
We are all living in a material world and it does require worldly knowledge but Krishna wants Arjun to rise above these. He wants Arjun to acquire the knowledge of God and Truth. He wants Arjun to understand that the body is perishable but the soul is immortal. He also explains to Arjun about his own religion and his duty towards his religion.
Our bodies are transient but it is our soul that remains deathless and indivisible. We cannot but destroy, such is its imperishable nature. The soul isn’t born nor does it die. It remains unborn, eternal, constant and inexhaustible. Our bodies change for the soul the same way we change clothes for our bodies.
Therefore, we should all as humans attain this knowledge of our deathless souls when we are performing our natural duties which have been given to us. Every person who does his duties honestly and to his best capacity without expecting anything in return achieves the higher self. He is a liberated person who is not stuck into this cycle of birth and death and thus is able to realise supreme reality.
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक: |
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत: || Shlok 23
The soul cannot be reached by material objects. Materialism can only reach our consciousness. The soul is divine and beyond any form of materialism that no wind can wither it, no water can moisten in and no fire can burn it.
Krishna began to disclose his confidential philosophical knowledge only when Arjun became his devoted disciple. This change should be in all of us. We should all attain this consciousness. This is not just a book of lectures; this is a book which transforms your heart. This chapter particularly, frees our hearts from all doubts and illusions.
The central theme of this second chapter is to distinguish between the body and soul. If we learn this differentiation, we will achieve our spiritual self. An interesting fact about this chapter is, a similar saying can also be found in the Bible!
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? - Matthew 16:26
About Abhinav Khare:
Abhinav Khare is the CEO of AsiaNetNews Network and also the host of a daily show named Deep Dive with AK. AsiaNetNews is a leading media group of south India with highly valuable brands like AsiaNetNews, Suvarna News, Kannada Prabha, IndigoMusic, Indigo Radio, MyNation, NewsFast, IndigoXP Music lounges.
He is a proud father of two beautiful daughters and resides in Bengaluru with his loving family and a lifetime collection of books and gadgets. An avid traveller, he has already pinged more than hundred cities from 5 major continents around the globe.
A tech entrepreneur, who is passionate about policy, technology, economy and philosophy from ancient India. His favourite pastime is to research synergy between these facets of society. He earned his qualifications from the top 10 global universities; an MS Engineering from the ETH Zurich and an MBA Finance from the London Business School.
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