Bonds Lead Man to opt not to adhere to Dharma

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Arjuna Vishada Yogam: Chapter 1: Verse 34 – 35

आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: |
मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा: श्याला: सम्बन्धिनस्तथा || 34||
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन |
अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतो: किं नु महीकृते || 35||

āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrās tathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ
mātulāḥ śhvaśhurāḥ pautrāḥ śhyālāḥ sambandhinas tathā

etān na hantum ichchhāmi ghnato ’pi madhusūdana
api trailokya-rājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahī-kṛite

Shloka Translation

BG – Ch. 1- Ver. 34 and 35:

Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and all family members are standing before me willing to give up their lives and possessions? I’m not willing to fight with them, O Protector of All Creatures, not even for the three worlds, let alone for this planet.

Explanation

Arjuna began to think about his relationships with the numerous warriors he could see on the battlefield. His mentors were Dronacharya and Kripacharaya, his maternal uncles Kuntibhoj, Purujit, Shalya, and Shakuni, and his grand uncles Bheeshma and Somadutta. The 100 Kauravas were the sons of his uncle Dhritarashra; their sons, grandsons, and a number of other relatives had gathered there in preparation for a fight to the death.

Arjuna used the term api, which means “even though,” twice in this verse. He says, “O Madhusudan, I do not intend to kill them even though I am aware that they are anxious to do so,” and then addresses Shree Krishna as Madhusudana, the killer of a demon by the name of Madhu. He reconfirms, “Even though for the sake of winning against the three worlds he was not willing to kill them in the battle.”

Verse & Self-Introspection

Arjuna fell into a profound depression. He adds to the delusion by explaining why it is pointless to live or complete the task he had committed to. In this case, Arjuna basically restated his claim that he was not interested in fighting. He addressed Shri Krishna directly in an effort to win his approval.

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, and meditation for stress, and each meditation’s benefits are countless. There are 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.

In the next verse, we will know how Arjuna continues to speak his thoughts having been overcome by sorrow.

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