A Perspective on the Gita

Reading the Bhagavad Gita out of the context of the battle of Mahabharata leads to errors in interpretation. For instance, there are some common misconceptions about the role of Sri Krishna in the great battle of Mahabharata. Some of these misconceptions are: Krishna started the battle at Kurukshetra. Many erroneously believe that Krishna incited the great war at Kurukshetra. Consequently, he is often portrayed as a troublemaker. In the Mahabharata, it is very clear that no person tries harder to avoid the battle than He. Krishna does not use surgery until it is absolutely unavoidable. Do not use the Battle of Kurukshetra to justify your battles. God loves peace not war. The battle at Kurukshetra is meant to help the Pandavas enjoy their kingdom again. Others believe that Kurukshetra is about the Pandavas getting their kingdom back so that they can enjoy their rule. The issue is far more fundamental and spiritual - the Pandavas are unable to perform their svadharma as kshatriyas. To perform your svadharma and attain self-actualisation is the path to salvation. When you perform your God-given duties to fulfill the purpose of your creation (in the spirit of devotion and sacrifice), your ego is annihilated. You experience your own nonbeing as well as loving intimate union with the Lord. Without performing their svadharma, the Pandavas are unable to attain self-actualisation. As a result, they find themselves barred from attaining salvation. Duryodhana refuses even the compromise of one village per Pandava (to rule as kshatriyas). He states that he will not even give them as much land as will fit on the head of a pin. Only then does the battle become inevitable. Physical violence at Kurukshetra is a means to put an end to the spiritual violence that the Pandavas must otherwise endure. Spiritual violence is the worst form of violence and you must never tolerate it passively. Krishna favoured the Pandavas over the Kauravas. God is always neutral. He is neither for the sinner nor the saint. Like the Sun, He is equally available to both. Only, one chooses to bask in the sunshine and the other chooses to hide from it. Krishna is perfectly neutral to the Pandavas and the Kauravas. When Duryodhana and Arjuna arrive to ask Krishna for assistance in the battle ahead, they discover that He is asleep. Duryodhana sits facing Krishna's head so that he may first ask for Krishna's help. Arjuna out of respect for Krishna sits at His feet. When Krishna opens His eyes, He first looks at his feet and sees Arjuna. Lovingly, the Lord says that there is an option between having Him on their side as a non-combatant and having His magnificent army fight alongside theirs. Out of deference to his elder cousin, Arjuna waives the first choice. Duryodhana chooses the option of Krishna's army fighting for him. Arjuna selects Krishna to be his non-combatant advisor. Do not try to meet God head on. Always sit at His feet. Always choose Krishna over everything else. [Courtsey: Dr. Shantanu Nagarkatti with thanks for this write up.]