160. Because... They Say So

Arjuna says, “You are the supreme Spirit, the supreme Abode, the supreme Purifier, the eternal, the divine, the primal God, unborn and omnipresent (10.12). All the sages like Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa confirm this, and now you are also saying this (10.13). I accept all that you said as true, for O Lord, neither the gods nor the demons can understand your glorious personality” (10.14).

Role models play an important role and all of us grow up admiring them. Parents are role models to children; teachers to students; achievers and successful people in the subsequent stages of life. While they are useful to derive inspiration in the initial stages, the pitfall is that they can become crutches in later stages. A baby should be able to drop off (transcend) the walker to have the pleasure of walking and running. It’s about realising that role models are like milestones and not the destination.

Arjuna is also using role models like Narada and Vyasa to support his beliefs. It appears that he is yet to trust Krishna and this is the universal problem, where recognising divinity in front of us is a challenge.

Arjuna further says, “You alone know yourself through your own potency, O Supreme Being, origin of all life forms, Lord of beings, God of gods, Lord of the universe (10.15). Please enlighten me about your divine manifestations by which you pervade all the worlds (10.16). O supreme mystic, how can I know you in constant thought, and in what various forms am I to meditate on you (10.17). O Janardana, describe in detail your mystic power and opulence, for I can never tire of hearing your nectar” (10.18). One thing that emerges is Arjuna’s honesty about his ignorance and his willingness to learn.