STANDARDV

CHAPTER 01ARJUNA’S CONFUSION

Should I fight or should I run awayArjuna asks Krishna – please show me the way

Lesson-02

ARJUNA DOES NOT WANT TO FIGHT

On the battlefield, Arjuna says to Krishna, “Please take my chariot in between the two armies. I want to see with whom I am going to fight.”

Krishna very cleverly takes his chariot in front of Bhishma and Drona, who are Arjuna’s dear grandsire and teacher respectively who unfortunately have joined the side of evil Kauravas due to financial obligations.

Arjuna sees all of his relatives on the battlefield and becomes confused. He sees Drona and Bhishma. Dronacarya is the one who taught Arjuna the fighting skills and Bhishma is Arjuna’s loving grandsire. Both Drona and Bhishma are dear to Arjuna and Arjuna is dear

to them. But they are fighting against Pandavas only due to financial obligation they have with Duryodhana, the king of enemy army. So although they are ready to fight against their will, Arjuna is hesitant to fight with them.

It is said that not even a leaf moves without Krishna’s will. So Arjuna is thinking here, why Krishna is engaging me in fight? I don’t want to fight.

WHY DID KRISHNA ENGAGE ARJUNA IN FIGHTING? IN SCHOOL, THEY ARE ALWAYS TELLING ME NOT TO FIGHT. ISN’T FIGHTING A BAD THING TO DO?

Fighting for a right cause is not bad. After all, our soldiers are fighting to protect borders of our country so that we can sleep peacefully. We should understand that whatever Krishna does is most righteous and is for the best. Plan of God is always perfect. Even if He arranges a battle or any other tough situation, it is for ultimate good of everyone. Following story will explain this.

Gopal baan storyOnce there was a king named Krishnacandra. He has a favourite minister named Gopal Ban who is very witty. Once they go to the forest hunting wild animals. The king has some injury and his little finger is cut. Gopal Ban says: “Whatever Krishna does, it is for good.” The king becomes very angry. He thinks that instead of being

sympathetic, this fellow is talking philosophy. King orders imprisonment for Gopal Ban once they reach their capital. Gopal Ban again says: “Whatever Krishna does, it is for good.”

Next day, the king again goes to the forest. This time he is caught by the tribal king and they decide to sacrifice the king before their deity. The king is helpless but later the tribal fellows find out that the king does not have a little finger so he is unfit for offering as a sacrifice. So they release him. The king comes back home and releases Gopal Ban saying: “whatever you said is correct. If I had not lost my finger yesterday, today I would have lost my life for sure.” Gopal Ban: “See I told you. Whatever Krishna does, it is for good.”

The king objected: “Yes, that was true for me. But how was it true for you? You went to prison unnecessarily.” Gopal Ban: “No my lord, if you had not imprisoned me yesterday, I would have gone with you to the forest today and seeing that I have all my limbs intact, tribals would have offered me as a sacrifice instead of you. But by Krishna’s inconceivable arrangement, I was saved.”

MORAL: So whatever Krishna does, it is for good. This is because Krishna is everyone’s well-wisher.