The Dilemma of Arjuna

The Dilemma of Arjuna

Until he made his appearance on the battle-field Arjuna was actually panting for a deadly encounter with the wicked. He was erstwhile a stranger to doubts and despair. Just as an arrow darts through a cobweb, he had easily waded through several meshes in life. The calibre he was made of knew no problem that could not be solved. Even the combat that he was once obliged to have with Mahadeva, the Great God was no strain to him. Vijaya or born-conqueror as he was, he was wont to take all issues easy. He had not for a moment stopped to ponder over the consequences of the impending dreadful war. His conviction was that the man who dared to oppose him opposed righteousness itself.

Impatiently he asked Sri Krishna to drive his car in between the two arrayed armies so that he might have a glance at those who were on the side of the sinful war-mongers. The unswerving Charioteer took this opportunity to put to test the valour as well as the power of understanding of this accredited “bull among men.’ He drove the chariot just in front of Bhishma the grandsire and Drona the revered preceptor. They were both, till then, persons worthy of veneration to Arjuna. Was it possible to switch on to a counter attitude at a moment’s notice? Arjuna was between the horns of a dilemma. He became perplexed. To fight or to flee was the question which he could not decide. Life always bristles with problems of varying magnitude. They are as incessant as waves on the sea. Individuals solve them, each according to his discernment and ability. This process of surmounting problems constitutes progress in life. But sooner or later a major crisis crops up, proving itself insurmountable. Valour and worldly wisdom are of no avail to meet it. Self-knowledge inspired by Divine Grace alone can equip a person to overcome the crisis. Arjuna, magnificently equipped as he was for the battle of life, now found himself unequal to the challenge of the situation. He was therefore now obliged to seek that enlightenment which would help him probe into the mystery of life and tide over the difficulty.

Source: Srimad Bhagavad Geeta-Commentary by Swami Chidbhavananda

Swami Chidbhavananda belonged to the Ramakrishna Order of Monks. He was a disciple of Swami Shivananda who was a direct disciple of Parmahamsa Sri Ramakrishna.  Swami Chidbhavanandaji founded the Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam and has written over 125 books, the most famous being his commentary on the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta.