Srimad Bhagavadgita-Rahasya OR Karma-Yoga-Sastra -Bal Gangadhar Tilak
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CHAPTER XIV
THE CONTINUITY OF THE CHAPTERS OF THE GITA
If one refers to the various commentaries for clearing one's doubts, one gets all the more confused, since almost all the commentaries are in support of some doctrine or other, and it becomes extremely difficult to harmonise the mutually conflicting opinions of the commentators. I know several even very learned readers, who have got confused in this way. In order that such a difficulty should no more remain, I have so far expounded the various subjects described in the Gita, by scientifically arranging them in a way I thought best. If I now explain how these various subjects have more or less figured in the conversation between Sri Krsna and Arjuna, by reference to the questions or doubts expressed by Arjuna, my whole Exposition will become complete, and it will be easier for me to sum up the entire subject-matter in the next chapter. My readers must first remember that the Gita was preached by one omniscient, all-powerful, prosperous, and highly revered Ksatriya to another powerful archer-warrior, in order to induce the latter to perform his duties according to the law of warriors at a date when our India was well-known on all sides as enjoying the happiness of Spiritual Knowledge, material wealth, worldly success, and complete self-govern ment. Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, the protagonists of the Jain and Buddhist religions respectively, both belonged to the warrior class ; yet, Sri Krsna did not, as was done by both of them, adopt only the Path of Renunciation from the Vedic religion, and open the door of the Path of Renunciation to all classes, including the warrior class; and the advice given in the Bhagavata religion is that not only the warrior class, but even Brahmins must adopt the path of taking part in all worldly activities, till death, with a desireless frame of mind, while possessing the Peace ( santi ) pertaining to the Path of Renunciation. But whatever advice is given, it is necessary that there should be some occasion for giving it ; and in order that the advice given should become fruitful, a desire to receive the Knowledge of that advice must, in the first place, have arisen in the mind of the disciple. Therefore, in order to explain both these things, Vyasa has explained in detail in the FIRST CHAPTER of the Gita, the occasion for Sri Krsna to give this advice to Arjuna. The armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas were standing on the field of Kuru, to fight with each other, and the fight was about to start, when Sri Krsna, at the desire of Arjuna, took and left his chariot in the middle of both the armies, and said to him, "look at these Bhisma, Drona, and others with whom you have to fight". |
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