Chapter 01

(Revision 01 jan 25 09)
BHAGAVAD GITA
CHAPTER 01
1.1 -11 Description of warriors
PURPORT:
Saints and scholars have given various explanations, interpretations to these and other seemingly descriptive shlokas. From the layman's point of view at this stage, all that we can focus on is what take home point we have here.
The war could have been stopped at this stage.almost all would have agreed except Duryodhana, Draupadi, Krishna himself.
Almost all Maharathis(great warriors) knew that they had just about 50% chance of surviving this war. For the rest of the huge army, outcome was their certain death; yet all were enthusiastic for the battle.
1.12 -19 Blowing of conches, also the names of the conches
1.20- 27 Arjuna full of confidence inspects the warriers ready for battle. However he does not see the enemy in the field. He sees them as his relatives adn thus overcome by attachment to his relatives
1.28 Arjuna overcome by attachment to his relatives.
1.29-47 Arjuna's reasons for refusing to fight.
ESSENTIAL TOPIC: MOHA (DELUSION) SHOWS THE ATTACHMENT TO PEOPLE, THINGS, TO WORLD IN GENERAL
MORAL:ATTACHMENT WRECKS DUTY
(seeing his relatives standing ready to kill and get killed in the battlefield)

1.28 Arjuna was overcome with compassion and spoke these words with sadness, " looking at my people,standing ready for the battle......" his limbs started failing, mouth dried up, nervous, hands wet and body burning all over,
he started telling(shl 1.29 -47) why he does not want to fight.
DAILY EXAMPLES WHICH WE SEE HOW ATTACHMENT WRECKS DUTY:
Surgeon who cannot operate on his little child even though he is qualified.
Judge who refuses(or not allowed) to sit in trial when his son is the guilty party
Teacher who would show bias in giving grades to her daughter
Mother, the fond one, fails to discipline her little daughter.
Father gives car keys to his 5yr old son to open the car door.(soon the brat will start driving)
Parents yielding to children's request for 'roomful' of toys
Parents buying dresses galore for their tiny tots. 6 months kids outgrow those dresses
Giving latest BMW to 20yr old and he drinks and drives killing 5 people
making minor children aware that you have kept funds for their future
Executive who refuses to sack his friend who proves a liability.
Nepotism galore among politicians in grooming their wicked children to take their place
As guests, when we allow or forgive our children messing with others properties
.........ad infinitum
In short whenever there is attachment, there is a failure of duty. This failure is not recognized by the performer of duty, If recognized, it is brushed aside saying ' I need to do at least this much as a help to my son'