Bhagavad Geeta: Why preached on the Battlefield?

Introduction to Srimad Bhagavad Geeta by Swami Chidbhavananda Part 7

Why preached on the Battlefield?

Vedanta or Self-knowledge is born of Shaanti, peace. The Rishis of yore resided in forest retreats and made calm inquiries into the principles governing life. The Upanishads had their origin in the seclusion of the forest. But the Bhagavad Gita among the Scriptural Trinity occupies a peculiar place. It did not emanate in the woods. War front was the place of its origin. An exciting setting was deliberately chosen by the Lord. The common notion that Vedantism was concomitant with quietism was repudiated. That passivity or escape-mentality was the goal of virtuous life was given the lie. Vedanta is as much the science of action as it is the science of actionlessness. Equilibrium of mind can be had as much in a sanguinary battlefield as in the solitude of a cave. Vedanta is the sovereign science of human life at all its levels. People in every walk of life profit by putting the Vedanta philosophy to practice. The application of Vedanta energizes man and unfolds the best in him.

Sri Krishna sets an example in regard to the attitude one should assume towards one’s earthly career. Long before he commenced his teens his sprightly sports at Brindavanam had all been completed. He viewed this world as a huge playground. Life here is a delightful game. One ought to be a willing and gay participant in this play. Sri Krishna’s boyish and innocent indulgences are indications of this attitude. One is expected to enter into life in the spirit in which a sportsman enters into his game. To such a person this earth is a mansion of mirth. But to him who plays his part with reluctance or disgust, this earthly career is a painful burden. This is the message of the boy Krishna of Brindavanam.

In the later part of his life he became the Kurukshetra Krishna. Then He threw light of another hue on life. Mundane existence is a veritable warfare. Nothing here on earth is achieved without a fight. He who has not learnt to wage the war of life does not inherit anything here or hereafter. The indulgent child cries to its mother for every trifling thing that it desires to own. That is a kind of battle befitting a baby. In order to secure a post or a job, a workman exhibits his talents and dexterity. That is an engagement of another pattern in the battle for existence. Building empires and strengthening them are the outcome of various kinds of warfare. Statecraft itself is a strategy in war. If man has taken a forward step in any field, it means he has successfully fought for it. Sri Krishna has himself demonstrated how to face baffling situations in life. His earthly career viewed from this angle is an endless warfare. His practice and precept go to corroborate this viewpoint. Bhagavad Gita teaches one to equip oneself for the battle of life.

Without self-preparation the warfare called life cannot be waged successfully. A battle-field like the Kurukshetra was therefore chosen as the proper pulpit for delivering this message.

Source: Srimad Bhagavad Geeta-Commentary by Swami Chidbhavananda