Gita Acharan

U pon seeing all the warriors getting crushed by the teeth of Krishna’s Vishwaroop , Arjuna enquires to know more about who He really is. Krishna says that He is the time that is now engaged in wiping out the world and even without Arjuna’s participation none of them will survive (11.32). He further says that your enemies are killed by Me and you are merely nimitta-maatra (an instrument in the hands of the Almighty) (11.33). Drona, Bhishma and other warriors have already been slain by Me, don’t feel distressed to fight the war (11.34).   The fundamental reason for Arjuna’s distress is his presumption that he is the karta (doer) i.e. the killer in the present context. This is aham-karta (I am a doer) or ahankaar . He tries to justify this by saying that killing his teachers and relatives for the sake of the kingdom is not good. Krishna breaks Arjuna’s illusion by showing him a glimpse of the future where all warriors are entering the mouth of death. Krishna clarifie...

A rjuna says, “All sons of Dhritarashtra, many kings on the earth, Bhishma , Drona , Karna and our warrior chiefs enter your frightening mouth which has fearsome pointed teeth. Some are caught between the gaps in your teeth, with their heads being crushed (11.26 and 11.27). Just as the gushing rivers flow towards the ocean, the heroes of this world enter your flaming mouths (11.28). Just as moths rush into a blazing fire and are destroyed, so also these men rush into your mouths to meet their destruction (11.29). Your fiery rays are scorching the world (11.30). Tell me who you are, so fierce in form. I bow down to you. Have mercy upon me. I desire to know you, the Primal Being. I don’t know your purpose” (11.31). Krishna says, “I am the mighty time that destroys worlds and is now engaged in wiping out the world. Even without your participation, none of the warriors will survive” (11.32). This verse was quoted by the scientist who headed the Manhattan Project that created ...

A rjuna says, “The hosts of gods surrender unto you. Filled with fear, some praise you with folded hands (11.21). The Rudras , Adityas etc. behold you quite astonished (11.22). Seeing your mighty form with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many stomachs, many terrible tusks, the worlds are terrified, and so am I (11.23). Seeing you touching the sky, my mind is terrified and I find no courage or peace (11.24). Seeing your mouths with terrible tusks and fires, I lost sense of direction” (11.25). Arjuna says that Gods are filled with fear and the worlds are terrified. Fear and favour (expectation) represent a pair of polarities. Hence, behind a favour, fear is hidden. Favour could be from Paramatma , family, boss or even from ourselves. Fear is born when we apprehend that favour wouldn’t be bestowed. When favour seeking is dropped, fear automatically disappears. Gods too are seeking favours from Vishwaroop of Krishna for themselves or their devotees and henc...

F illed with wonderment, bowing his head, and with palms folded (11.14) Arjuna says, “O Shree Krishna, I behold within your body all the gods and hosts of different beings. I see Brahma seated on the lotus flower; I see Shiva , all the sages, and the celestial serpents (11.15). I see your limitless form with innumerable arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes in every direction. I see no end and no middle and no beginning in this form (11.16). I see You with a crown, armed with the mace and disc, shining everywhere as the abode of splendour. It is hard to look upon You in the blazing fire of Your effulgence, which is radiating like the sun in all directions (11.17). I recognize You as the imperishable, Supreme Truth to be known. You are the support of all creation; you are the immutable Protector of eternal dharma ; You are ancient Being (11.18). You are without a beginning, middle, or end; Your power has no limits. Your arms are infinite; the sun and the moon are like Your eyes...