Week 7 Story: The Remade Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita: Revised
Arjuna looked out at the battlefield, eyeing his enemies across from him. He caught sight of Bhishma, Drona, Duryodhana, Dussahsana...all his cousins whom he had grown up with. They had been raised as brothers under the same roof and eating the same food. How unfortunate it was, he thought, that now they get ready to spill each others' blood.
It was overwhelming. The thought of having to spill the blood of his teachers and brothers in order to acquire rule of a kingdom seemed so petty in that instant. Arjuna couldn't do it.
He put his sacred bow down and removed his crown.
"Krishna," he said to his divine charioteer, "I cannot fight. These are my teachers and brothers; I cannot bring myself to kill them."
Krishna drove the chariot out into the middle of the battlefield, between the two armies. Everyone stopped and stared, confused at what was happening. "If you don't want to fight," replied Krishna, "then don't."
This response startled Arjuna. He was expecting his charioteer to encourage him to fulfill this task - especially since he, as a kshatriya was obligated to be honorable in war.
"The will to kill is derived in man, not in God, Arjuna," said Krishna. "Do you really expect to understand the Absolute Reality - the brahman - by killing your brothers? What true enjoyment could you get out of ruling their kingdom if you do succeed? All luxury is in vain."
"What should I do then, dear Krishna?" asked Arjuna.
"Renounce all this - this war, these weapons, this luxury. Go into the Himalayas and meditate the true meaning of brahman," said Krishna. He then assumed his divine form, the Vishwarupa, emanating an infinite brilliance that no one on the battlefield could withstand. "If you meditate for long enough, you will discover me in this form," he said.
Arjuna accepted this. This made him happy. Getting down from his chariot, Arjuna walked over to the Kauravas' side and touched all of his gurus' feet before renouncing all his possessions and trekking into the Himalayas to meditate in asceticism for the rest of his life. He never knew or heard of what happened of the war after he left.
Krishna reciting to Arjuna what is encapsulated as the Bhagavad Gita.
Author's Note: This story is based on the original Bhagavad Gita, in which Krishna convinces a hesitant Arjuna that he should fight the war. In this version, Krishna convinces Arjuna of the opposite, saying that the war is all in vain. In response, Arjuna decides to become an ascetic and meditates in the mountains for the rest of his life.
Bibliography: "Bhagavad Gita" from PDE Mahabharatha. Link to Story
Hi. I read the Bhagavad Gita in my world religions class last year and I think it's a neat twist you put on it by having Krishna convince Arjuna to do the exact opposite of what he does in the actual story. It's fun to compare what each decision would involve and the consequences it would require. I think I like your version better because then Arjuna doesn't have to kill anyone and is genuinely happy to go mediate and live out his life peacefully in the mountains.
ReplyDeleteHi, Vinay!
ReplyDeleteI like your twist on the Bhagavad Gita. At least in this version he would not have to be faced with the horror and tragedy it would put everyone through. It makes me wonder how the war transpired after he left. Would the Pandavas still have won? Would his son remain alive? This offers a lot of things to think about by just changing one seemingly small detail.
Hi Vinay,
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting that you made this story into a complete opposite of the real one from Bhagavad Gita. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna gives so many life lessons to Arjuna during the battle field, which helps us all till today. It was nice though that there was no war, therefore no killing of their loved ones. Also, it's crazy that the whole plot changes based on small detail. Good Job on the story and wish to keep reading more from you! Good luck!