ARJUNA'S DELUSION IN MAHABHARAT.

In fact, what was problem with Arjuna? When a reader, in first instance, reads the logics given by Arjuna, he sometimes gets the impression that Arjuna seems quite innocent and is a personality full of compassion. Arjuna felt that it would be foolishness on his part to kill his near and dear ones just because of materialistic gains. Rather he meant that instead of bloodshed, he should leave the world to renounce. He seemed unconvinced as to why should he fight for gains, which are not of permanent nature. The reader also gains sympathy for him, as Arjuna seems to be pious noble person caring for others. Was he wrong?

That is crux of problem. Now in fact, adoption of principle of non-violence is not bad. But adoption of same at wrong time and in contravention of one’s expected role is objectionable. Just see, Arjuna could have renounced his worldly life long back to become a saint and preach principles of spirituality including non-violence. But at the battle ground, he is leading Pandava's army in between these thoughts come to his mind. Just as if there are wars in two countries and in crucial moments army chiefs preach peace and non-violence completely forgetting their expected roles and forgetting that non-adherence of their warranted duties could damage the country - countrymen and generations to irreparable extent. So the role of army chief is to fight the war in a pre-decided and pre-planned way and not to be nervous.

Thus Arjuna was having such identity crisis. Arjuna was representing weak persons like us.
The lesson what I perceived long back in my mind is to remain aware of one's expected role and to play the role to the best of capability. It means when you are at home, you be mentally present there too - forget about worries of your office/business. When you are in office, not only your body should be there but your mind must also remain there. And with full sincerity and capability one should perform his duties in field of activity without any kind of moral pressures. There had been instances in history too when kings had to punish their own kith and kin's for their faults. Many times we are trapped in dharmasankatas Moh-janit strategy (under delusion) vs. Kartvaya-janit strategy (as per our expected role - duty wise). One must and must adhere to his duties only.

We again return to Arjuna. He was under delusion and due to pessimistic chain of thoughts he was trapped in negative thinking. He felt like leaving the battleground. Moral here is one must remain alert about chain of thoughts (vichar - pravah). And should ensure that his affirmations keep him morally elevated in high spirits and his mind is ABLE to take right decisions.

Again when we have more than one option at any point in our life too, we decide to adopt one way and now our mind is well-equipped to justify what action we propose to take. Naturally it is biased and based on the data/opinion provided by a mind under delusion (particularly if a pessimistic or contrary to expected role step is proposed). Arjuna also did the same. Lord could see through it. And here Lord is counseling him to remind him that he is warrior (kshatriya) and not a Brahmin or rishimuni. And if he (Arjuna) is justifying the stand taken by him, it is wrong justification under delusion and cowardice.

My cent. I shall be obliged to have your opinion of other learned persons too.

HARE KRISHNA..

WHY LORD DID NOT PROVIDE ME COAT ???

Question:

I tried my best sincerely to clarify the position to an enquiry about spiritual journey. The person misunderstood me. Why?

Answer emailed to him:

I want to share an incident quoted by a gentleman over TV. He says he was having pride of being blessed son of Lord and, interalia, believed that Lord would provide him what he wanted. He happened to see a beautiful coat which one of his friends was wearing. He requested Lord that he too be provided with such type of coat.
Second day, another friend rang his call bell. He was having big parcel in his hands. Now this gentleman concluded that that parcel is having something like coat (may be for him only). He smiled. A little friendly conversation took place. That friend opened the parcel and showed the item to gentleman. It was just that type of coat only befitting to his size. But friend told that, that day was his (friend's) birthday and after a birthday party enroute, to his home, he preferred to share a cup of tea with this gentleman. He bade goodnight and walked away along-with that parcel/coat.
Now gentleman lodged his grievances to Lord. He protested and asked Lord why he did not send him coat and instead of same, coat was given to his friends and lo he came to his residence only to show same. He asked reasons.
And Lord gave him reply in dream. He told that he (gentleman) is HIS sincere devotee and as a reward, devotee will be provided what he requires to strengthen him and his SADHNA and not what is demanded. He did not require coat which could increase his ahankara (pride) but he was required to maintain quality of sthitpragyata (perfect tranquility of mind) even in unfavourable circumstances. And Lord, to strengthen his guna (quality) ran this show of Leela (cosmic play).

Now to your letter. That aspirant not only was made convinced by other person but he conveyed it to you TOO. Try to understand secret of Lord's leela behind it. You are sincere devotee of Lord. He wants you to act without expectation of results and not be moved by Maan-apman etc.etc. dwandhas.

In old times, in cases of renunciation, even kings were made to approach gristhas(households) for begging. It was imposed to make them pucca (firm) in case of insults.

So Lord will protect your efforts and earnings (yoga kshemam vahamyami). Do not worry.

Hare Krishna........

Kapidhwaja

Since Arjuna had had banner of Shri Hanuman jee on his chariot, he has “Kapidhwaja” as his name.

One day Arjuna was just walking on the banks of a river. He saw an old Brahmin. He asked for his introduction, to which Brahmin replied that he is Ram Dass (servant of Lord Rama). Arjuna said sarcastically that the same Rama who could not arrange building of bridge and had to depend on monkey army for same. Arjuna boasted that if he could be in place of Rama, he could have made a bridge of his arrows and could have crossed the sea. To this Hanumanjee expressed his doubts and asked Arjuna to prove it by preparing bridge over the river, as he felt that if Arjuna could have made a bridge then, it could not have taken load of a single monkey and collapsed, what to speak of an entire army. Arjuna agreed to make a make a bridge by his arrows across the river. Let Hanuman cross it.

A bridge was prepared. Hanumanjee remembered Lord Rama and with much confidence put his step forward (with expectation that bridge would break). The bridge cracked but did not break. Hanuman jee was surprised as to why it did not break and why the Rama’s power was not working. Hanumanjee was disturbed and went under the bridge to find out the reason for same. On the other hand, Arjuna was also stunned. He remembered Lord Krishna and prayed to help in the matter, as it was matter of prestige of pandavas. He thought that the bridge cracked because of weight of a weak old Brahmin and what could be position if monkey army or more persons had to cross. He also went under the bridge to find out the reason.

Hanumanjee was astonished to see blood under the bridge as Lord Rama was taking load of and protecting the bridge. Arjuna saw Lord Krishna instead of Lord Rama there. Both were perplexed and after worshipping Lord, they prayed for edict.

Lord smiled and told that He is Krishna, He is Rama. Hanuman and Arjuna both are his blessed devotees. Lord wanted Hanuman jee to be present in chariot of Arjuna and protect/support him in Mahabharat.

Arjuna adopted banner of Hanumanjee and was known as Kapidhwaja…

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