Significance of Chapter 1 in the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita is also called Gitopanisad because it is the essence of all the Upanishads. It is also set in a story like a Purana and it’s also historical so included within Itihas. As such it is part and parcel of Mahabharat.
The 700 verses can be studied on their own like one of the Upanishads, but its set in the civil war between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
So the first verses of chapter 1 are the continuation of the narrative. Sanjay is explaining to Dhritarashtra what happened next. The armies are assembled, the personalities present mentioned, the conch shells blown, the battle is about to begin, and then Arjuna falters.
Although Arjuna is a warrior of the highest caliber, he is also gentle hearted. He doesn’t want the fight to take place because it’s between family members, people he loves and cares for, and it’s about getting back his rightful kingdom. He doesn’t think it’s worth it. He would rather give it up and go to the forest.
But that’s not the only reason, there’s another.
Arjuna thinks it would be sinful.
So it’s very clear that Arjuna considered the impending battle sinful and wanted to avoid it. Sinful means breaking the laws of God. Not the laws of the universe nor the laws of nature, not even moral laws or the government's laws, but the laws of God. It’s almost impossible to lead a sinless life (unless you’re an atheist), but most people don’t like being sinful.
With or without God existing, it’s evident we live in a causal world where actions produce reactions. Everyone runs their life on this principle because no one waits for food, money, clothes, shelter, a partner etc to randomly appear in front of them. Because of this understanding of causality, consciously doing something sinful doesn’t make us feel peaceful.
So in the last verses in chapter 1, Arjuna is elaborating on why he doesn’t want to fight, and it’s a concern that every person with a half-decent understanding of God shares. We don’t want to be involved in any sinful activity. In some religions, this would be very commendable.
We might expect a saintly person to say
“Very good Arjuna. You have understood the futility of material conquests. Go now to the forest and forever men will sing your praises.”
Or
“I am proud of you Arjuna, you have passed the test. There is no need to kill all your family members, retire and live a peaceful life in the forest.”
Or
A voice from heaven announces “Arjuna alone understands the path to righteousness and happiness. By his compassion and renunciation, a great calamity has been averted. Let the Kauravas rule the kingdom for now and in the future, we will see.”
Now Bhagavad Gita is not just a book from ‘some’ religion. None of these above scenarios happened. because God was sitting on Arjuna’s chariot as his driver.
When Krishna did speak, basically He said: “So much big talk, but your fussing over nothing.” Then Krishna, gives analytical knowledge, (chap 2) transcendental knowledge, (chap 4) knowledge of the absolute (chap 7) the most confidential knowledge (chap 9) and a summary of action, the modes of nature, the variations of the material world and more, even displaying His universal form at one point.
And then right at the end, the very last instruction that Krishna gives is to surrender to Him. And what will happen?
Krishna will protect Arjuna from….sinful reaction. This was Arjuna’s problem in chapter 1.
Arjuna’s problem is now solved. All the chapters from 2 to the end of 18 are to establish that God exists; that Krishna is God and the highest truth; that sinful activities exist and bind us to this world; by surrendering to Krishna all sinful reactions will be nullified.
For those for whom this is too simple or unpalatable there are other options in Bhagavad Gita, but in the first chapter the problem is stated and in the last instruction the solution is given, the rest is for those who want to take their time, think about it, try another way, avoid surrendering to Krishna, understand the world a bit better, see if Krishna is who He says He is and so on.
Related post:
Karma, Karma Yoga, Akarma, Vikarma as per Bhagwad Gita
Dharma according to Bhagwad Gita
The 700 verses can be studied on their own like one of the Upanishads, but its set in the civil war between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
So the first verses of chapter 1 are the continuation of the narrative. Sanjay is explaining to Dhritarashtra what happened next. The armies are assembled, the personalities present mentioned, the conch shells blown, the battle is about to begin, and then Arjuna falters.
Although Arjuna is a warrior of the highest caliber, he is also gentle hearted. He doesn’t want the fight to take place because it’s between family members, people he loves and cares for, and it’s about getting back his rightful kingdom. He doesn’t think it’s worth it. He would rather give it up and go to the forest.
But that’s not the only reason, there’s another.
Arjuna thinks it would be sinful.
Bg. 1.36 - Sin will overcome us if we slay such aggressors. Therefore it is not proper for us to kill the sons of Dhrtarastra and our friends. What should we gain, O Krsna, husband of the goddess of fortune, and how could we be happy by killing our own kinsmen?
Bg. 1.37-38 - O Janardana, although these men, their hearts overtaken by greed, see no fault in killing one's family or quarreling with friends, why should we, who can see the crime in destroying a family, engage in these acts of sin?
Bg. 1.44 - Alas, how strange it is that we are preparing to commit greatly sinful acts. Driven by the desire to enjoy royal happiness, we are intent on killing our own kinsmen.
So it’s very clear that Arjuna considered the impending battle sinful and wanted to avoid it. Sinful means breaking the laws of God. Not the laws of the universe nor the laws of nature, not even moral laws or the government's laws, but the laws of God. It’s almost impossible to lead a sinless life (unless you’re an atheist), but most people don’t like being sinful.
With or without God existing, it’s evident we live in a causal world where actions produce reactions. Everyone runs their life on this principle because no one waits for food, money, clothes, shelter, a partner etc to randomly appear in front of them. Because of this understanding of causality, consciously doing something sinful doesn’t make us feel peaceful.
So in the last verses in chapter 1, Arjuna is elaborating on why he doesn’t want to fight, and it’s a concern that every person with a half-decent understanding of God shares. We don’t want to be involved in any sinful activity. In some religions, this would be very commendable.
We might expect a saintly person to say
“Very good Arjuna. You have understood the futility of material conquests. Go now to the forest and forever men will sing your praises.”
Or
“I am proud of you Arjuna, you have passed the test. There is no need to kill all your family members, retire and live a peaceful life in the forest.”
Or
A voice from heaven announces “Arjuna alone understands the path to righteousness and happiness. By his compassion and renunciation, a great calamity has been averted. Let the Kauravas rule the kingdom for now and in the future, we will see.”
Now Bhagavad Gita is not just a book from ‘some’ religion. None of these above scenarios happened. because God was sitting on Arjuna’s chariot as his driver.
When Krishna did speak, basically He said: “So much big talk, but your fussing over nothing.” Then Krishna, gives analytical knowledge, (chap 2) transcendental knowledge, (chap 4) knowledge of the absolute (chap 7) the most confidential knowledge (chap 9) and a summary of action, the modes of nature, the variations of the material world and more, even displaying His universal form at one point.
And then right at the end, the very last instruction that Krishna gives is to surrender to Him. And what will happen?
Krishna will protect Arjuna from….sinful reaction. This was Arjuna’s problem in chapter 1.
Arjuna’s problem is now solved. All the chapters from 2 to the end of 18 are to establish that God exists; that Krishna is God and the highest truth; that sinful activities exist and bind us to this world; by surrendering to Krishna all sinful reactions will be nullified.
For those for whom this is too simple or unpalatable there are other options in Bhagavad Gita, but in the first chapter the problem is stated and in the last instruction the solution is given, the rest is for those who want to take their time, think about it, try another way, avoid surrendering to Krishna, understand the world a bit better, see if Krishna is who He says He is and so on.
Related post:
Karma, Karma Yoga, Akarma, Vikarma as per Bhagwad Gita
Dharma according to Bhagwad Gita
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