VERSE NUMBERS 24 AND 25

VERSE NUMBER 24:

Text in Transliteration:

Sanjaya said:

Evam ukto hrsheekeso

Gudaakesena bhaarata

Senayor ubhayor madhye

Sthaapayitvaa rathotamam

Text in English:

Thus requested by Gudkesa, Hrishikesa, O Bharata, (Dhartarashtra), having placed the best of chariots in between the two armies:

Comments:

Sanjaya, who has been given the extra sensory power to view the incidents at kurutchetra from the palace by the side of the blind king, Dhartarashtra, and report the same to him duly, says that the Lord of the senses, Krishna placed the best of the chariots there between the two armies.

Here Sanjaya describes Arjuna as Gudakesa, which, according to Swamy Chidbhavananda  of Thirupparaithurai near Thiruchirapalli, means the one who has conquered sleep. That is, Arjuna could decide at will when and how long he would sleep. This calls for greater mastery over his senses. To overcome the fit of sleep is denied to ordinary human beings. Such a great man, having a mastery over his self and senses is Arjuna. And who is his charioteer? Hrishisheekesa Himself! The Lord of senses is Arjuna’s charioteer. And what kind of chariot was that?Why, the best of all chariots.

So, the chariot is the best among the chariots. The charioteer is the Lord of Senses, Sri Krishna himself! And who is the warrior? He holds sway over his sleep, a mighty soul who has conquered sleep to which we all are subjects. Then why should Arjuna get despondent and become hesitant to the utter point of throwing the bow and sitting on the yolk of the chariot?

The moral here is that the Lord’s illusion is that much enslaving and we are constantly under its subjugation and sway. That was why even a great warrior who has conquered the sleep and whose best chariot is driven by the Lord Krishna Himself gets illusive and is going to lose his moral strength. And the Lord is willing enough to drive him, into that state. Hence the next stanza!

VERSE NUMBER 25:

Text in Transliteration:

Bheeshmadronapramukhatah

Sarvesaam cha maheekshitaam

Uvaacha paartha pashyai ‘taan

Samavetaan kuroon iti

Text in English:

Facing Bhishma and Drona and all the rulers of the earth, spoke, “O Bharata, Partha, behold all the Kurus gathered together;”

Comments :

This is the psychological moment of truth for Arjuna! The Lord is very charitable  and chivalrous in placing Arjuna both physically and psychologically in a bind or situation wherein it is not easy to take a decision. The trouble in life is we are forced by the cumulative effect of our own past karma, or the present circumstances to take a decision. The pity of human life is we cannot run away. Options like suicide are not just nonstarters, but very inimical to one’s soul-realization or salvation. The Lord comes down heavily on those who commit suicide, because it connotes a foul play. And it is a non starter, because, by committing suicide we cannot bring about a closure comprehensive enough to annihilate the tendency to be hurled into the samsaaraa , the ocean of worldly life which comprises maya or illusion, kama or desire and karma or action. So we cannot run away from our duty in this birth. No matter what , we have to live and face the music. Whatever be the consequences, we can never run away from our duty without incurring heavy punishment. It doesn’t matter if our duty is not fully carried out, but we have to exert our level best. The question is if we tried our level best, and not what is the effect of our action. The Lord Master is chivalrous enough to put Arjuna, while doing according to his bidding, in a situation that stares him in the face!