All Bhagavad Gita Commentaries are taken from https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/
Hi Folks, in this series I am planning to discuss a few life lessons from the life and teachings of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is called "Gyaanavataar", the avatara to imbibe wisdom to the people. There are quite a few lessons that we can get if we have the eyes for it.
So lets discuss a few of them.
DO NOT provide unsolicited advice or help
why?
well for one, the advice or help will not be respected. worst yet it will be undervalued even from your closest friend and relatives. Over time you would end up becoming a door mat.
so when not asked, SHUT UP!!! even if you have a great wisdom. They will ask if they need it. Then you can advice or help.
what I said above is nothing sinister. but just common sense. you might have earned that wisdom through a lot of trials and tribulations. If they didn't ask, they didn't know it yet and maybe they need to walk the same path as you to realize this.
Now, This is the hallmark behavior of Krishna that earned him the respect he got. Let me give a couple of examples:
1. Participating in the Mahabharata War
Once the Mahabharata war was declared, the two sides fighting, namely Pandavas and Kauravas sent their emissaries across the Globe for seeking their army and support.
Even though Krishna is the best friend of Arjuna, who is also his sister's Husband and he is also related to Kunti, Pandava's mother, he didn't volunteer to support the Pandavas.
Only after Arjuna and Duryodhana explicitly asked for support by visiting him he gave them two choices
He as a strategist advisor who do not fight
His mighty army called Narayani Sena.
Arjuna choosed Krishna as the advisor and Duryodhana opted for the Army. Then and only then, Krishna stated working and strategizing for Pandavas to win the war.
Now imagine, you or me in this position. Had we not volunteered for the cause without even asked for? well not Krishna!!! because he knows that one's contribution will only be valued if there is a realization of the need. I am sure had neither Arjuna or Duryodhana requested his help explicitly, he would have sat the war out.
2. Krishna Behaves like a Charioteer until Arjuna explicitly asks to be his Guru
During the start of the Mahabharata war, Arjuna grows despondent seeing all his kith and kin in both sides of the war. Confusion sets in and he declares to Krishna at length on the ills of war on society and then he stubbornly states that he will not fight. All this happens in First chapter of Bhagavad Gita. Krishna maintains a deep silence throughout.
Krishna knows very well that this despondency of Arjuna is not because of his fear to fight or he suddenly got a vision of compassion. He clearly knows that this is the result of his attachment. How can I kill my relatives? . He also knows that this has only one solution the esoteric wisdom of Self (atma vidya- more on this in another post). Knowing all this, even then Krishna didn't voluntarily started the teaching on this highest wisdom. In verse 2 and 3 of chapter 2, He behaves just like how a typical Charioteer will behave :
The Supreme Lord said: My dear Arjun, how has this delusion overcome you in this hour of peril? It is not befitting an honorable person. It leads not to the higher abodes, but to disgrace. - BG - Ch2, Verse 2
O Parth, it does not befit you to yield to this unmanliness. Give up such petty weakness of heart and arise, O vanquisher of enemies. - BG - Ch2, Verse 3
Only after Arjuna explicitly asks Krishna to instruct him on what is good, in Chapter 2 Verse 7:
Arjuna Said, I am confused about my duty, and am besieged with anxiety and faintheartedness. I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please instruct me for certain what is best for me. BG - Ch2, Verse 7
Only then, from Verse 8, Krishna starts the actual teaching. He morphs in to a Guru and starts teaching his disciple Arjuna the eternal wisdom that will grant clarity.
For example, below are the beginning verses of his teaching:
The Supreme Lord said: While you speak words of wisdom, you are mourning for that which is not worthy of grief. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead. BG - Ch2, Verse 11
Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. BG - Ch2, Verse 12.
Hope this post is useful to you. Please share your comments. Keep Rocking always.
with Love,
Comments