Bhagavad Gita

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Sankhya Yogam: Chapter 2: Verse 1

BG1.2

It is Very Important To be Aware of When, Where & to Whom We Are Being Compassionate

A quick Recap of Bhagavad Gita chapter 1

Before stepping into the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, let us review the first chapter. When Shri Krishna moved the chariot between the Pandava and Kaurava armies, Arjuna, who was ready for battle, became weak under the influence of his ego and intellect and said I do not want to fight and kill my own people.

सञ्जय उवाच |

तं तथा कृपयाविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम् |
विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदन: || 2.1||

sañjaya uvācha

taṁ tathā kṛipayāviṣhṭamaśhru pūrṇākulekṣhaṇam
viṣhīdantamidaṁ vākyam uvācha madhusūdanaḥ || 2.1||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 2- Ver. 1:

Shree Krishna spoke the following words to Arjuna when he saw him overcome with pity, his mind grieved, and his eyes full of tears.

Explanation

Sanjaya uses the word kripaya, which means sympathy or compassion, to characterize Arjuna’s feelings. There are two types of compassion. One is God’s and the saints’ divine compassion for souls in the corporeal realm who are suffering because of their separation from God. The other is material compassion, which we feel when we observe others in physical pain. Material sympathy is a wonderful emotion that isn’t always addressed correctly.
Arjuna is dealing with the second type of emotion. He is overcome with material pity for his opponents who have gathered for battle. The fact that Arjun is overtaken with grief and despair reveals that he is in desperate need of compassion himself. As a result, the idea of him being merciful to others has no significance.

Verse & What we can learn

Compassion is a great quality but it makes sense only when used towards right (person or in right situation) for the right reason.

Even the greatest person can become weak in every way when his Viveka is suppressed.

In the next verses, we will see Lord Krishna addressing Arjuna after hearing all his concerns from previous chapter.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…

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