As the great war of Mahaabhaarat
approached, Arjuna, a distinguished archer and seasoned warrior, renowned for
his profound intelligence, emotional maturity and deep knowledge in various
arts, was suddenly overtaken by a vision of the war's grim aftermath. This
vision, which forecasted the demise of nearly 4.5 million valiant, heroic
beings, plunging their families into despair and societal chaos, deeply troubled
Arjuna. He saw the war not as a path to victory but as a catalyst for
irreversible social disruption, leading him into a state of deep moral and
emotional conflict.
This internal struggle can
be likened to a judge, well-versed in law and social intricacies, who faces a
dilemma in rendering a judgment. Here, the art of advocacy becomes pivotal. An
advocate, through his understanding and foresight, must guide the judge to see
the broader implications of their decisions and deliver a verdict that serves justice.
As Arjun shared his doubts
with Shri Krishan, a generative dialogue ensued. Arjuna, intent on avoiding
war, posed questions and raised concerns which has resulted in futuristic
trauma. In response, Shri Krishan expounded on the nature of existence, the
eternal truth, the cosmos, and the diverse paths towards self-realization. This
dialogue mirrored an advocate presenting a case with comprehensive insight.
In Chapter 16 (shaloks
16.01–16.05), Shri Krishan describes the twenty-eight divine attributes,
contrasting them with sixty-four characteristics of asuric, toxic and
narcissistic nature (shaloks 16.04–16.20). These qualities, eternal in
their existence, manifest in various combinations within every human,
underscoring the importance of awareness of such beings around us and deal with
them appropriately.
In Chapter 10 (shaloks
10.20–39) Shri Krishan details
seventy-six attributes of the supreme being, illustrating the grandeur of the
cosmos. This exposition is akin to understanding the jurisprudence of the
universe. In Chapters 14, 17, and 18, Shri Krishan elaborates on the three gunn
– sattva, rajas, and tamas – and their manifestation in various life
aspects. He discusses shradha, worship, austerity, food, yagye,
speech, charity, knowledge, action, the doer, intellect, firmness, and
happiness. This comprehensive overview offers deep insights into these fundamental
concepts and basic structure.
Shri
Krishan expounds all possible paths chapter after chapters. Chapter 2 - Saankhye
Yog, the path of Self Knowledge; Chapter 3 – Karm Yog, the path of
action; Chapter 4 – Gyaan Karm Sanyaas Yog, the path of knowledge,
action and renunciation; Chapter 5 – Karm Sanyaas Yog - the path of
action and renunciation; Chapter 6 – Aatm Sanyam Yog, the path of
Self-Restrain; Chapter 7 – Gyaan Vigyaan Yog , the path of Knowledge and
Science; Chapter 8 – Akshar Brahm Yog - The path of Imperishable; Chapter
9 – Raaj-Vidya Raaj - Guhye Yog - the path of wisdom and mysticism;
Chapter 12 – Bhakti Yog - the path of devotion and surrender; Chapter 18
– Moksh Sanyaas Yog - the path of renunciation and emancipation. All
these words of wisdom are to help us to find what is true for us.
In Chapter
11, Vishwarup Darshan helps Arjun experiencing the universal form of the
cosmos. Sanaatan knowledge and wisdom is not merely rhetoric,
logicalizing or dialectics where the entire effort is to win and establish
intellectual superiority but is all about transmission of and having cosmic
experience, it’s like having a clear vision of the facts, jurisprudence, law
and the social impact in the larger sense. This experience transcends mere
intellectual debate, emphasizing a holistic understanding and experience of
cosmic truths.
Ultimately,
Shri Krishan's guidance empowers Arjun to fulfil his duty as a warrior with the
active renunciation of a Drishta (observer) rather than a Karta
(doer). This reflects the role of an advocate in legal proceedings, guiding a
judge towards a well-considered judgment.
