Recently, I was forwarded a post on WhatsApp that outlined a spiritual aspect of the Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata. This message was delivered by Lord Krishna to King Arjuna. Below you will find the post as I found it forwarded to me.
“It is said in the texts that 80% of the fighting male population of the civilization was wiped out in the eighteen days Mahabharata war.
Sanjay, at the end of the war went to the spot where the greatest war took place; Kurukshetra.
He looked around and wondered if the war really happened, if the ground beneath him had soaked all that blood, if the great Pandavas and Krishna stood where he stood.
“You will never know the truth about that!” said an aging soft voice.
Sanjay turned around to find an Old man in saffron robes appearing out of a column of dust.
“I know you are here to find out about the Kurukshetra war, but you cannot know about that war till you know what the real war is about.” the Old man said enigmatically.
“What do you mean?”
The Mahabharata is an Epic, a ballad, perhaps a reality, but definitely a philosophy.
The Old man smiled luring Sanjay into more questions.
“Can you tell me what the philosophy is then?”
Sanjay requested.
Sure, began the old man.
The Pandavas are nothing but your five senses,
sight,
smell,
taste,
touch
and sound...,
and do you know what the Kauravas are? he asked narrowing his eyes.
The Kauravas are the hundred vices that attack your senses every day, but you can fight them... and do you know how?
Sanjay shook his head again.
“When Krishna rides your chariot!”
The Old man smiled brighter, and Sanjay gasped at that gem of insight.
Krishna is your inner voice, your soul, your guiding light and if you let your life in his hands, you have nothing to worry.
Sanjay was stupefied but came around quickly with another question.
“Then why are Dronacharya and Bhishma fighting for the Kauravas, if they are vices?”
The Old man nodded, sadder for the question.
It just means that as you grow up, your perception of your elder’s change. The elders who you thought were perfect in your growing up years are not all that perfect. They have faults. And one day you will have to decide if they are for your good or your bad. Then you may also realize that you may have to fight them for the good. It is the hardest part of growing up and that is why the Geeta is important.
Sanjay slumped down on the ground, not because he was tired but because he could understand and was struck by the enormity of it all.
What about Karna? he whispered.
“Ah!” said the Old man. “You have saved the best for last. Karna is the brother to your senses, he is desire, he is a part of you but stands with the vices. He feels wronged and makes excuses for being with the vices as your desire does all the time.
Does your desire not give you excuses to embrace vices?”
Sanjay nodded silently. He looked at the ground, consumed with a million thoughts, trying to put everything together and then when he looked up the Old man was gone.... disappeared in the column of dust..... leaving behind the great philosophy of Life! “
Srimad Bhagvad Gita is an elixir of life, where the truth of our soul and its existence, the secrets and enormity of the divinity, and how to connect the soul (Atma) with the Divinity (Param-Atma), amongst many other secrets of life are divulged. It is not a religious textbook but rather a book of philosophy which when carefully studied can unfold the secrets of the universe. It has been interpreted and translated by many sages, seers, and philosophers who attempted to understand the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita in their own context. Likewise, the quote forwarded above, is yet another interpretation of the events in a form that may be suitable and easy to understand for some people.
Whether the war of Mahabharata happened or not remains to be agreed upon by scholars, researchers, archeologists, and historians. The Srimad Bhagvad Gita is the documented discussion between Lord Krishna (574 verses of teachings) and Arjuna (84 verses of questioning). This entire discussion is relayed by Sanjay to King Dhritrashtra of Hastinapur (present day Delhi). Sanjay was able to see and hear the happenings in the battlefield with his divine vision from a distance - thanks to sage Ved Vyasa. Sanjay’s additional narration is a total of 41 verses. This makes the total of the Srimad Bhagvad Gita 700 verses (shlokas). This discussion divulges several truths that assist in motivating the great warrior Arjuna to action. He was devoid of strength, courage, and spirit to fight for his right in the battlefield, given his opponents were his own teachers and kin. The beauty of this text is that Lord Krishna never tells Arjuna what to do, despite Arjuna’s repeated requests for direction. Lord Krishna instead encourages Arjuna to use his critical thinking skills to eventually arise to the right conclusion.
Geographically, Kurukshetra is a place in the state of Haryana, about 175 kms north of New Delhi in India, where the war of Mahabharata took place between Kauravas and Pandavas in about 3176 BCE or 5,200 years from now. The Mahabharata war continued for 18 days where about 20 million soldiers including horses and elephants died which included 18 Akshauni Sena (1 Akshouni = 218,700 X 18 = 3,936,600 soldiers) and Narayani Sena (10 million soldiers) of Lord Krishna gifted to king Duryodhana.
The dialogues between Lord Krishna and Arjuna are so intricate and dense that it can take multiple reviews and studies before grasping its meaning. Given the original language it is written in – Sanskrit, we also have to account for meanings that are lost in translation. A good way to consume this text can also be through the interpretations and commentaries of other renowned writers in conjunction with the original text. Our culture highlights the importance of a guru, and a great guru can assist in discovering the nuanced meanings in this text as well.
The teachings of Srimad Bhagvad Gita are meant for seekers who are interested in learning about the complexities of life, the ultimate source of true happiness, and also to decipher the cause for their misery, sorrow, or plight together with their duties (Karmanye Karma) towards divine. It can assist people who are confused between right and wrong, just & unjust, dharma & adharma, atheism, monotheism, or polytheism. Additionally, it can assist people in understanding the reasons behind certain events in life that may be contrary to our belief and expectation despite best efforts. This way it offers direction and clarity in life.
By spiritualizing the story in the form of a dialogue between “Sanjay and the Old Man”, it compels to look within us and recognise the presence of strength or weaknesses, so that we can try to control and overcome them. Overcoming our weaknesses is not that easy unless we know the tools and techniques to identify them or the Kauravas (evil spirits) within us.
In Srimad Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna has already elaborated the tools and techniques to look within us and to identify our weaknesses, but those tools are not easy to use and utilise in normal circumstances. He has eloquently described those tools and techniques in several verses to king Arjuna compiled in various chapters, by explaining the importance of Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Gyan Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga.
In Karma Yoga (The Path of Action to realise God), Lord Krishna has explained to perform duties (karma or action) with righteousness and without expecting the fruits or results of action in the famous verse:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्à¤ूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ २-४à¥
(Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,
Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani)
In Gyana Yoga (The Path of Knowledge to realise God) chapter-4, Lord Krishna has described the Gyana or Jnana Yoga in 42 verses. In this chapter he also divulged the methods of God realisation not only by worshipping forms of God but also formless divine termed as brahman.
In Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion to realise God). In Chapter-12, Lord Krishna has described the realisation of God or ultimate truth by practicing absolute faith in the divine.
I have tried to explain all three yoga’s in simple language for the beginners to understand the core contents of Srimad Bhagvad Gita. The links are:
1. Philosophy of Karma Yoga: http://sssinha.blogspot.com/2011/06/philosophy-of-karmayoga.html
2. Philosophy of Gyana/Jnana Yoga: http://sssinha.blogspot.com/2011/09/philosophy-of-jnana-yoga.html
3. Philosophy of Bhakti Yoga: http://sssinha.blogspot.com/2011/04/philosophy-of-bhakti-yoga.html
Raja Yoga is a study of the human mind. To become aware of its habitual tendencies and thereby transcend it. Raja Yoga comprises of Kriya Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. The practice of Kriya Yoga is a technique for divine realisation by mastering the breath, and Ashtanga Yoga is a technique to master the body, mind, and soul.
Ashtanga Yoga was propounded by Maharishi Patanjali in the 2nd century BCE. He has provided tools and techniques in eight steps of self-realisation ((Atma (soul) to Parmatma (divine)) by way of doing Yama (Self Control), Niyama (Discipline), Asana (physical yoga postures), Pranayama (controlling pranic forces), Pratyahara (complete withdrawal from the Senses), Dharna (concentration), Dhyan (meditation) and Samadhi (freedom from illusion).
The dialogue between “Sanjay and the Old Man”, has been spiritualized to make us understand the deeper and philosophical form of Kurukshetra war. It has been presented as an analogy of the emotional and psychological war we continuously experience within ourselves as human being.
I have been advocating three ways to fight war in our self-created “Kurukshetra”. Spiritually, Kurukshetra is our body, and we are constantly at war with our senses. In a conventional war we use arms and artilleries, intelligence, and utilize the army, navy, and air support to kill enemies. Likewise, to kill emotional and psychological enemies inside us, we must take the help of karma yoga. Karma yoga (action) can be performed only when a person is physically fit to perform duties (Karmanye Karma).
Duties performed with absolute righteousness in a normal course of daily life is not Karma Yoga or Karmanye Karma. Action done with righteousness and action done for the divine with devotion and righteousness are two different things. Lord Krishna has also explained the meaning of Karmanye Karma to achieve the objective of Karma Yoga in Srimad Bhagvad Gita. Karmanye Karma is the action performed for the service of divine in normal course of life.
The mind is a wild boar and like it, can swiftly change thoughts and worries. Duties or actions cannot be performed unless a person is mentally fit to make correct decisions and use their physical strength or energy wisely. Therefore, one must be mentally fit to fight the war of inner Kurukshetra.
A person cannot be mentally fit unless they have a strong belief system in the divine. And the strong belief system will not take into effect unless one is spiritually fit. Spiritual fitness can be awakened by two ways only – One is total surrender to the divine by way of practicing prayer, japa, mantras, penance and invoking God. Another is by way of practicing yoga to kick start bhakti yoga.
For physical fitness one may embark upon yogic exercise or other exercises. Unless one is physically fit, it would be difficult to maintain an equilibrium in the brain. The energy gained from the physical fitness makes a positive impact and forces the mind to think or act positively towards the life, which is mental fitness. But a slight glitch beyond control in life, may pull us down towards the abyss once again. This is the reason to have the third and the most important aspect – spiritual fitness.
Through Yoga, spiritual fitness comes from the sadhana (penance) as propagated in the 8 limbs of Yoga. They are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. If these 8 limbs of Yoga together with awakening of Kundalini are practiced in sincerity, then automatically Bhakti Yoga will enhance spiritual fitness.
Spiritual fitness is a practice of Raja Yoga or Bhakti Yoga which transfers all doubts, confusion, success, stress, or failure to the divinity. By offloading the current success or failures and future outcomes of all events to the divinity, one gets the peace and tranquility in the mind. An equilibrium pervades in for broader outlook once a person comes to know the truth behind all gains or losses. To create an analogy – If one keeps valuable at home like gold, silver, diamond, or cash, then one may always be stressed out for the fear of losing it by theft, fire, or other unknown happenings. But the moment those assets are transferred to a bank for safe keeping, one is stress free and relieved.
Similarly, if one can offload all issues, pain, or pressure from his or her mind and upload those worry to divine by way of prayer, penance, trust, or unflinching belief, then the person is relieved from all outcomes. It allows the divine power to handle the issues on his or her behalf. Unless we are badly inflicted with the bad karmas of past, we feel safe and secured. We become mentally stable, and ready to face all consequences good or bad with confidence and ease.
Therefore, like any other war, the Kurukshetra war within us can be won or managed only by preparing ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. This three fitness’s provide tremendous strength and positivity to overcome the situation, otherwise any stray arrow of Kauravas (negative energies) present within us, may destroy us physically, mentally, and spiritually by forcing us to the path of anxiety, stress, sorrow, and pain.
Physical fitness, Mental fitness and Spiritual fitness are interdependent on each other and cannot be mastered without practicing any one of them in a sequential way.
Practicing spiritual fitness is not easy. Divine power or divinity does not come easily to help someone in overcoming his or her issues. To start, one must practice in full sincerity the first two parts of Ashtanga Yogawhich is Yama and Niyama.
By practicing Yama one has to follow:
1. Ahimsa (non -violence)
2. Satya (truth)
3. Asteya (Non-stealing)
4. Brahmacharya (Non-Indulgence) and
5. Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness)
And For Niyama one has to practice:
1. Sauch Cleansing (Cleansing of thought)
2. Santosha (Contentment)
3. Tapas (Self-Discipline)
4. Swadhyaya (Self Study) and
5. Isvara Pramnidhana (Connection with Divinity)
Unless one follows Yama and Niyama in its true sense, other six limbs of yoga have no use. One may experience some physical and mental benefits by doing asana, pranayama, and meditation but they will remain devoid of their progression towards divinity by not encompassing the initial major aspects. It is like jumping to a higher degree without even starting the elementary. In this manner they may not feel substantial impact on life, and it will remain a hurdle to the path of Kundalini awakening or God realisation.
Now, Yoga has become a part of life internationally and many of us have some or advanced knowledge and experience of this age-old science. Hence, I am not going to elaborate the other six parts of Yoga – Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana and Samadhi.
No matter our vocation, unless we are physically, mentally, and spiritually fit, it would be difficult to overcome the complexities of inner life and fight the visible or invisible enemies and ill effects of our past karmas present in our body, mind, and soul, on a daily basis.
If you like this article and my thought process, then you may kindly leave a comment for the enlightenment of myself and other readers.
Suman Saran Sinha
A pursuer of logical quest
Buffalo, NY
24th, October, 2023
Disclaimer: This article is purely work of the writer and has no resemblance of any article, book, research, or white paper published internationally on print or electronic media except some data and pictures. The international copyright is enforced, and any copy, quote, or reproduction of any type without permission is strictly prohibited. Violator would be dealt under international copyright provisions.
[AS1]For consistency, what chapter is Karma Yoga about?
