Bhagavad-geeta starts with the blind King Dhritarashtra requesting his assistant, Sanjaya, to describe the combat between his sons, the Kauravas, and their cousins, the Pandavas. Lord Krishna, the ultimate Personality of Godhead, out of friendliness for His devotee, the Pandava prince Arjuna, has agreed to drive his chariot.
As Arjuna takes up his bow and prepares to battle, he sees the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn in military array and requests dependable Krishna to draw his chariot between the two fighting forces. There in the middle of both armies, Arjuna’s mind reels as he foresees the looming death of his teacher, relatives, and friends. He throws down his bow and arrows and chooses not to clash.
In Chapter One and in the commencement of Chapter Two, Arjuna presents his opinion for refusing to fight. Essentially, he frights the wicked rejoinders of killing. But after Arjuna surrenders to Lord Krishna and demands the Lord to coach him, the Lord embarks on countering Arjuna’s doubts. First, Krishna logically explains that fighting in His service is transcendental and will bring no sinful reaction.
Krishna also explains the Vedas’ reason as to gradually lift up souls to Krishna awareness. Krishna thus influences Arjuna to remain fixed in His service – fight – and disregard his mind’s longings.
to be continued….