Contradictions in the Gita - Help One To Think by Gurudev in the Speaking Tree (Times of India) on 20th August 2009
Truth is contradictory; if it is not contradictory, then it is not truth! The Bhagavad Gita is full of contradictions. You can understand it only if you see it in totality.
At
one point, Krishna tells Arjuna that action is the most important thing
and without action one will be nowhere. But after that, He tells him
that action is all right but knowledge is better! Then Krishna says,
"You must become a yogi and drop everything around you."
Krishna
tells Arjuna in Chapter Six that since he is confused, there is no use
talking. He asks him to meditate. Finally He says, he is the greatest
amongst yogis who keeps Me in his heart whether he meditates or not. He
is the real yogi, because I am with him in whatever he is doing.
At
one juncture, Krishna says, Arjuna, there is nobody dear to me, nobody
whom I love. And then gives a whole list of qualifications for those He
really loves!
In another instance, Krishna tells Arjuna to act
without looking for the fruit of action. Later He asks Arjuna to act
properly, according to natural law. Then He tells him that he ought to
fight if he wants to win the war. So, at this point He is bringing
Arjuna's attention to the fruit of action, but then He also tells him
not to worry about the fruit of action.
Krishna was like a
dear friend to Arjuna. In the Bhagavatam, except for Vidura and Udhava,
nobody even thought he was enlightened; they all thought that he was
just very smart. The Pandavas
and the gopis knew who Krishna was and how complete He was from all
angles. But many of them, including Arjuna, did not see him that way.
Krishna, however, shows him that He is infinite.
Krishna tells
Arjuna, I will give you a special eye of knowledge, which I have
haven't given anybody in ages. I am giving it to you now because it is
time. With that, He gives him a vision. For that one moment the
universe appears as a manifestation of Krishna to Arjuna.
Arjuna
sees all of creation, everything the mountains and the rivers, the
past, the present and the future dissolving in Krishna. For an instant,
the whole of life, the universe, all memories play out like a movie and
it frightens Arjuna. Then Arjuna pleads, Oh! Please show me your
simple, natural and friendly face. I like your simple smile and I want
to see my friend. I don't want to see anything beyond. It is too much
for me. This is called Vishva Roopa Darshana the vision of the universal.
Thereafter,
Krishna tells Arjuna about the yagyas, principles and laws of the
universe. Then He talks about sanyasa and how to be centred. Arjuna
tells Krishna that what he says is not easy to follow. Krishna says, I
agree It is difficult but not impossible. With practice, dispassion and
by getting to the centre again, you will succeed.
Krishna
tried everything. Finally, it was the display of the universal vision
that worked on Arjuna. When Arjuna says, I give up, Krishna says, Think
and do whatever is best for you after pondering over what I have said.
And then Arjuna says his mind is now clear. Krishna had to speak
through 18 chapters to get him to that point. He could have done it at
the very first chapter. But the way this knowledge flows is really
beautiful.
Everything may appear to be all contradictory from all angles. But that is reality!
http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/articleshow/ 4910701.cms
Jai Gurudev!!
"Our highest identity is that We are all part of One DIVINITY" SriSri
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