The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of the Lord: The War Within and Self-Realization
For this story, Lord Krishna appeared on earth as a royal prince. He is a charioteer and advisor to Arjuna, the warrior and general of a vast army. Together in a war chariot they overlook a large valley where the upcoming battle will take place. Arjuna is fighting for his brother’s rightful claim to the throne of the Kuru dynasty. Tragically those forces against him have many members of his family and close friends. Arjuna is troubled at the prospect of fighting his own people. On the morning of the great battle, his turns to his advisor, Krishna, and asks him about the deeper questions of life. The Bhagavad Gita are his answers for Arjuna.
On one level this battle was a historical event. From a more subtle view, it is an allegory, a cosmic struggle between good and evil. So the struggle is a spiritual one. On still another level, Arjuna is being asked to fight not only against his family and friends, but also against his lower self.
I. The War Within
Arjuna says: “Why should we not turn away from this sin? When a family declines, ancient traditions are destroyed. With them are lost the spiritual foundations for life, and the family loses its sense of unity…The timeless spiritual foundations of family and society would be destroyed by these terrible deeds, which violate the unity of life.”
II. Self-Realization
As a man of action, renowned for his bravery and martial art skills, this situation is a crisis. He is forced to ask the perennial questions about life and death. Does he have a soul? Does it survive death? The Gitas are Krishna’s answers, who serves as the Self (Atman) for Arjuna.
Krishna says: “You speak sincerely, but your sorrow has no cause. The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead. There has never been a time when you and I and the kings gathered here have not existed, nor will there be a time when we will cease to exist…at the time of death (people) attain another body.”
“The impermanent has no reality; reality lies in the eternal. Those who have seen the boundary between these two have attained the end of all knowledge. Realize that which pervades the universe and is indestructible; no power can affect this unchanging, imperishable reality. The body is mortal, but that which dwells in the body is immortal and immeasurable. Therefore, Arjuna, fight this battle.”
“One believes he is the slayer, another believes he is the slain. Both are ignorant; there is neither slayer nor slain. You were never born; you will never die. You have never changed; you can never change. You do not die when the body dies.”
“The Self is nonmanifested, beyond all thought, beyond all change. Knowing this, you should not grieve.”
“Every creature is nonmanifested at first and then attains manifestation. When its end has come, it once again becomes nonmanifested. What is there to lament in this?” [ the “you” ( 有 ) and “wu” (无 ) of the “Dao De Jing”: Laozi Chapters 1 and 40. These are discussed on the this website under “Artistic and Philosophical Foundations”.]
“Considering your dharma, you should not vacillate. For a warrior, nothing is higher than a war against evil. The warrior confronted with such a war should be pleased, Arjuna, for it comes an as open gate to heaven.”
“Death means the attainment of heaven; victory means the enjoyment of the earth…by practicing the principles of yoga, you can break through the bonds of karma. On this path, effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.”
“You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of your work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself–without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat.”
“Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. Those who are motivated only by desire for the fruits of action are miserable, for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do.”
“They are forever free who renounce all selfish desires and break away from the ego-cage of “I”, “me”, and “mine” to be united with the Lord. This is the supreme state. Attain to this, and pass from death to immortality.”