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Chapter 3
First, Arjuna, filled with enthusiasm, ordered Lord Krsna to place his chariot between the two armies so that he could observe the warriors, eager for battle. But, when Lord Krsna, having placed the chariot between the two armies, in front of Bhisma and Drona and other kings, asked Arjuna to behold those Kurus assembled there, his delusion, because of his attachment to his kinsmen, was aroused. So he thought, knowledge to be superior to action, as in the case of knowledge a man has not to perform such savage deeds as the slaughter of warriors in a war. So Arjuna asks Lord Krsna, why he urges him to perform such a savage deed.
Here the term 'Buddhih' has been taken in the sense of knowledge, otherwise he would not have put this question. If Arjuna had understood 'equanimity' by the term 'Buddhih', then the Lord's statement would have not appeared as confusing. The reason is, that the Lord, in the forty-eighth verse of the second chapter, had already asked him to perform action being steadfast in equanimity. Using the term 'confusing words' will be purposeful only, when there might have been two contentions in the mind of Arjuna and only then this question might arise, "If you consider knowledge superior to action, then why do you urge Me to take savage action?" In the third chapter in response to Arjuna's question, Lord Krsna declares, that in this world there are two disciplines—the Discipline of Knowledge and the Discipline of Action. It means, that Arjuna took the meaning of the term 'Buddhih', to be knowledge.
A striver can receive the correct answer to his question, only if he puts it with faith and reverence. Arjuna has full faith in Lord Krsna and holds him in great reverence. Therefore, his question shows, that he is even prepared to perform the savage deed of fighting, in order to attain salvation.
Vyamisreneva vakyena buddhim mohayasiva me:-Arjuna says, that sometimes he asks him to perform his duty (2/48) while another time He asks him to seek refuge in knowledge (2/49). Thus, with an seemingly mixed words, He seems to bewilder his mind i.e., Arjuna is not able to understand whether he should perform his duty or take refuge in knowledge.
Here, the use of the term 'eva (as it were) two times, shows Arjuna's reverence for Lord Krsna. It is because of this reverence for me Lord, that he regards the utterance of the Lord as true, thinking that He is not confusing him. But because of his own lack of understanding, the Lord's utterance seems to him to be perplexing and it bewilders his mind. Had the Lord in fact bewildered his mind, then who would have removed his delusion?
Tadekam vada niscitya yens ireyo'hamapnuyam:-Arjuna requests Lord Krsna to tell him decisively, one principle either of action or of knowledge, by which he may attain the highest good or bliss. Arjuna is repeating the same request which he had already mentioned, "Tell me decisively what is good for me (2/7).
Appendix:-So long as we accept (assume) the existence of the world, an action seems dreadful or pleasant. The reason is that by cognising the entity of the world, we have our eye on an action rather than on our duty. But when we mind our duty, the action does not seem dreadful or pleasant.
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