My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta: Chapter 1 (feelings, emotions and attachments)

1^st chapter of Bhagavat Geeta is about Arjuna's dejection from war and explaining the reasons. From his point of view Arjuna has noble reasons to believe that war is not worth. He explains this beautifully to Lord Krishna:

Bhagavat Geeta starts with Dhritarashtra asking Sanjaya about happening of the war field:

Dharma-kshetre kuru-kshetre samaveta yuyutsavah
mamakah pandavas caiva kim akurvata sanjaya (1)

After explaining all the warriors in their poses to start the war, focus shifts to Arjuna and Lord Krishna.

drstvemam sva-janam Krisna yuyutsum samupasthitam
sidanti mama gatrani mukham ca parisusyati (28)

Arjuna tells Lord Krishna that after looking at all the relatives and friends ready for war he is feeling low and is not in a position to continue the war. He further says that he doesn't see good in killing people who were close to him once and had bestowed some favor to him earlier. He is more dejected by view of his teacher Dronacharya and Bheesma Pitamah. He doesn't want kill these people even for kingdom of three loks (heaven, earth and underground), so asked why should he kill for just earth. By killing all the men of a dynasty, dynasty gets plagued and society becomes impure and such people go to hell forever. He is shocked that all wise people are ready to kill just for sake of getting kingdom and worldly pleasures. He doesn't want to fight even if Kaurava's kill him. He sees more good in getting killed without putting a fight.

With this Arjuna goes to back seat of his chariot and sits in no mood of a war.

In Chapter 1, Arjuna displays feelings, emotions and attachments that are common to any man in such a situation. His thinking has probably originated from various teachings about being a noble gentleman or from spiritual contradictions of worldly and heavenly things. 

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Aashi Yoga Research Academy

www.AashiYoga.com

Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

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