(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

God’s Will Is Ultimate And In Surrendering To Him Lies A Devotee’s Welfare

सञ्जय उवाच |

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य
कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमान: किरीटी |
नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं
सगद्गदं भीतभीत: प्रणम्य || 11.35||

sañjaya uvācha
etach chhrutvā vachanaṁ keśhavasya
kṛitāñjalir vepamānaḥ kirīṭī
namaskṛitvā bhūya evāha kṛiṣhṇaṁ
sa-gadgadaṁ bhīta-bhītaḥ praṇamya|| 11.35||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 11- Ver. 35:

Sanjaya said: Hearing Keshava’s speech, the crowned one saluted Krishna with folded palms and trembling, bowed, and addressed Krishna in a strangled voice, despite his anxiety.

Explanation

Arjuna had previously assisted Indra in the killing of two demons. Indra had placed a sparkling crown on his head as a mark of his joy. Sanjaya is referring to Arjun’s crown in this line. However, a crown is also a symbol of monarchy, and Sanjaya uses the term to warn the old king Dhritarasthra that his sons, the Kauravas, will lose the throne to the Pandavas in the upcoming war.

Verse & what we can learn

In the first chapter, Arjuna was filled with anxiety and confusion, but after learning that the war had been pre-determined in his favour, he was filled with thankfulness and delight. His speech was choked and his body trembled because his terror had not subsided completely. Sanjaya stepped in to narrate this shloka because there was a gap between Shri Krishna’s pronouncement and Arjuna’s next statement.

Even though Shri Krishna had previously announced the death of the Kaurava army’s best fighters, Dhritarashtra might have had one final chance to terminate the conflict right now. Sanjaya questioned, without expressing it, if he would issue a command to end the conflict right now. He used the word “crown” to suggest that Arjuna’s consecration as the kingdom’s crown prince was not far off.

Sanjaya’s pleading was, unfortunately, ignored. Dhritarashtras attachment to his sons was so strong that not even Ishvara’s revelation could shake it. But even he realized that his sons’ fate had already been decided.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

What was Arjuna’s response to Shri Krishna? We’ll see what happens in the next shloka.

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