Hari om everyone,
Here's a quick synopsis of our last class. As always, we started the class with meditation. In our chanting segment, we chanted 'geetaa dhyaanam' and verses 39 - 60 from 'BG chapter 2'.
We started our interactive segment at the beginning of class itself. We had previously discussed the scenario that led to chapter 1. We had spoken about Arjuna's mental state after seeing the lineup of warriors on both sides.
The very first question we posed to our students was - do you think our ancestors were warmongers?
Those who want to demoralize our faith in the teachings of the Geeta use this as one of the main accusations on the holy book! Not surprisingly, the class was divided about the answer to this question. Half of them said yes while the other half said no. When asked to justify, some said, because Krishna asked Arjuna to fight. Whereas a few others said, but they had kept quiet for too long... starting from poisoning Bheema and throwing him in the river, lac palace burning, giving them barren land and when they prospered there they cheated them in the game of dice, disrobed Draupadi, sent them to the forest, etc. So, they didn't give the paaNDavas any other choice!
We were impressed with their analysis! Yes, all of the above reasons and then some... The kaurava brothers had not only wronged the paaNDavas, but they were also breaking havoc in society. Adharma was spreading like wildfire and their atrocities were becoming unbearable. Also, they had not kept their word when the paaNDavas came back from the forest and a year of incognito. They did not give the kingdom back to them which was rightfully theirs either.
The important point to remember here is, the same Krishna who taught the whole Bhagavad Geeta to Arjuna as to why he has to fight the war, had asked Duryodhana to refrain from the same war just a few days before!! Why?! Was Krishna biased? Was he showing favoritism towards the paaNDavas?
The difference was - intention! The intention of Duryodhana was selfish, immoral and adhaarmic. Whereas Arjuna and his brothers were fighting to uphold righteousness, morality and dharma in society. Selflessness and dharma override selfish intentions always!
We further discussed how we lose our peace of mind due to the war within, the conflicts we have with our own positive and negative tendencies. Which one wins is based upon which one we feed! If we strengthen the positives within, we will turn out like Arjuna, if not, we can lean towards the attitudes of Duryodhana.
We also saw that Arjuna lament and rant in the entire first chapter and Krishna let him... Arjuna was not being logical or thinking his words through, before speaking. This is a great psychology lesson! When someone is upset, it is better to allow them to rant away and offer advice or solutions only when they have calmed down and are willing to listen, else it will just fall on deaf ears :).
The takeaway for us from this situation is expressed perfectly in the picture below. So, let's keep it connected :).
With that thought, we will take leave until the next class.
Regards,
Rashmi and Raghav.
Rashmi and Raghav.