Bhagavad Geeta - An Introduction

Bhagavad Geeta literally means the Song of the Lord. 

(Geet means song - and Bhagavad - of the Lord) 

It was written - or narrated around five to seven thousand years ago. 

Originally written in Sanskrit, it is an Indian Holy Scripture that is part of the Mahabharata (chapters 23–40 of Bhishma Parva). 

It has 18 Chapters and 700 Shlokas (verses).

Apart from being a religious book, Bhagavad Geeta is regarded as a scripture of life as well - a key to practical day-to-day life. 

A book of human psychology - which shows a unique way of living that eases off the tension so one can enjoy a happier and peaceful life. 

At first look, it may seem to be about a family feud - a war between the cousins and their allies over the territorial dispute of their kingdom. Some see it as Pandavas - the good and righteous people fighting for their rights against the wicked, unjust, greedy, and power-hungry Kauravas, and Krishna trying to convince Arjuna to fight for their cause. 

However, just like the other Indian Scriptures, if we view this story of dispute, conflict, and battle as a metaphor, then the meaning changes.

When seen at a much deeper, spiritual level, it is a battle between good and evil thoughts over the territories of mind and intellect. Problems and solutions of imbalance - separation, and conflict in the realms of Dharma and Karma - rifts between thought and action.

                              Main Characters in the Bhagavad Geeta

1. Dhritrashtra - The blind king who was the main reason behind Mahabharat. He spoke only once.

2. Sanjay - the narrator, who narrated what was happening in the battleground to the blind king. 

3. Arjun - the student/disciple who is bewildered -  perplexed and confused. In dilemma, and needs Gyan - knowledge, direction, and motivation. 

4. Krishna -- the Enlightened one, the Guru, the teacher, the guide and motivator - not remotely, but on a personal level - on a one-to-one basis. 

After the initial introduction, the entire Geeta is a dialogue between Arjun, the disciple - and Krishn, the Guru.

Therefore, we can say there are only two main characters 

Arjun - the curious, inquisitive - but confused pupil, 

and Krishn, the Enlightened Guru - who stayed with his disciple till the end and personally guided him at every step.  

Dhritrashtra seems to be the main reason behind the battle of Mahabharat.

Although, in the entire Bhagavad Geeta, he spoke only once - just the first Shloka in the beginning.

But you see - it doesn't really matter how much one speaks.

The damage could be done by speaking just a few words - or even by not speaking at all - by not vilifying the wrong - by not speaking against the injustice and becoming a silent bystander. 

Being a silent spectator - even after seeing the injustice boosts the morale of the wrongdoers, and they start doing more injustice than before. 

Dhritrashtra knew what was happening in his family - between his and his brother's children - yet he chose to turn a blind eye to it. 

His mind was blinded by feelings of over-attachment to his sons. 

He wanted to keep all his power and wealth - kingdom and prosperity just for his sons - in his own lineage. 

He became oblivious and blind to the needs of his brother's family and sons.

By becoming oblivious and blind - by not giving Pandavas any part of their due share, Dhritrashtra had planted the seeds of Mahabharat in the first place. 

Dhritarashtra was the king - if he wanted, he could have stopped this terrible war by ordering just five villages to be given to the Pandavas at the advice of Krishna.

But he did not. 

And he did not stop his sons from being unjust and unfair. 

He was the king - had all the powers, but he played like a victim at the hands of his children.

Thus, by becoming a silent spectator - and not giving Pandvas anything, Dhritarashtra stirred up the dispute that eventually turned into the Mahabharat.

Now - one of the greatest lessons one could learn from this epic is that estrangements and disputes between family members - rifts in relationships often lead to family fights and break-ups. 

And social discontentment and alienation on a bigger scale may take the form of a Mahabharata.

When the parents want to give everything unjustly to one of their favorite children - and do injustice to others, then strife and rifts in the family cannot be avoided.

It makes others unhappy and rebellious.

Similarly, when the elders of society become greedy and over-attached to their children -

when the leaders or rulers want to keep everything within their family - in their own lineage - they inevitably start the process of a Mahabharat. 

They lose their place and credibility in society when they transfer all their power and wealth to their own children and neglect other deserving contestants - worthy heirs or successors. 

Eventually, because of the excessive greed and family feuds, even great empires such as the empire of king Dhritrashtra would fall to the ground. 

                                                       ' Rajan Sachdeva '