4. Arjuna States His Case

Arjuna and Krishna continue their conversation. Krishna has invited Arjuna to "arise like a fire that burns all before it." But Arjuna is still impaled on the horns of his dilemma.

So are we all. We are thrown into this world like gladiators in an arena. What shall we do? The Gita, as it unfolds, gives answers to this question. We shall see if those answers have relevance to us a-theological spiritual anarchists of today's post-post-modern world, we who live on the Edge with ungritted teeth.

Arjuna says:
I owe veneration to Bhishma and Drona. Shall I kill with my arrows my grandfather's brother, great Bhishma? Shall my arrows in battle slay Drona, my teacher?
Shall I kill my own masters who, though greedy of my kingdom, are yet my sacred teachers? I would rather eat in this life the food of a beggar than eat royal food tasting of their blood. --Chapter 2, verses 4-5, The Bhagavad Gita (Tr. Juan Mascaro)

In his commentary, Gandhi points out that if we are ready to cast aspersion on someone in an opposing camp, we should also be ready to point the finger at close comrades (including ourselves) guilty of the same offense. If we are going to take the head of our distant kin (and all are our kin), we should be willing to take the head of our close kin. "The Gita permits no distinction between one's relations and others."

If I am going to kill fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, children, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces in Afghanistan or anywhere "over there," then I must be willing to kill the same relations here in my home town, my home state. This is high and tough spiritual ground.

At the same time. Gandhi says, "I might be ready to embrace a snake, but, if one comes to bite you, I should kill it and protect you."

You see the moral dilemma here. This ancient dilemma which the Gita addresses is still here, fresh and new.

Arjuna continues:
In the dark night of my soul I feel desolation. In my self-pity I see not the way of righteousness. I am thy disciple, come to thee in supplication: be a light unto me on the path of my duty.
For neither the kingdom of the earth, nor the kingdom of the gods in heaven, could give me peace from the fire of sorrow which thus burns my life." --Chapter 2, verses 7-8

Rather than putting on an arrogant front, Arjuna admits that he is caught in the desolate wasteland of self-pity. While burning in the fires of sorrow, he cannot open to the arising fire that Krishna invites him to become.

Arjuna is stating his case, but he hasn't given up. He is asking Krishna for help. Arjuna is like Job sitting in the ashes of the fire of sorrow. But as we shall see, Krishna is not like Yahweh. He does not come thundering in with might and power asserting his superiority and asking Arjuna who the hell he thinks he is.

When Arjuna the great warrior had thus unburdened his heart, "I will not fight, Krishna," he said, and then fell silent. --Chapter 2, verse 9

He had come to a decision and had nothing more to say. But Krishna does. Krishna has plenty to say.

3. Krishna Speaks To His Friend

We left Arjuna crumpled down in his vehicle (our body is our vehicle, our chariot) "overcome by despair and grief."

But Arjuna was not alone. He was not going to be allowed to wallow, to get his bonbons and pink fuzzies, and sit on the sofa of despair for long.

Then arose the Spirit of Krishna and spoke to Arjuna, his friend, who with eyes filled with tears, thus had sunk into despair and grief. --Chapter 2, verse 1, The Bhagavad Gita (Tr. Juan Mascaro)

The Spirit, Source, Godhead, Wellspring, the One-Who-Breathes-Us is our friend, is friendly to us, sees and cares, is closer to us than we can imagine. In fact, imagination gets in the way.

What does one say to a friend in despair? Here is what Krishna said:

Whence this lifeless dejection, Arjuna, at this hour, the hour of trial? Strong men (humans) know not despair, Arjuna, for this wins neither heaven nor earth. -- Chapter 2, verse 2

This is the crucial time. No time to lay down now, paralyzed by indecision. You have tossed away your strength. That has changed nothing. The energies of heaven and earth are still going on. Going into stupor accomplishes nothing.

Fall not into degrading weakness. . . . Throw off this ignoble discouragement, and arise like a fire that burns all before it. --Chapter 2, verse 3

Hoo Boy! That is Spirit talking alright.

Three directives are given. Stop the descent into the black pit. Throw off (an active vigorous movement) this cloak of discouragement. Arise like a fire.

This transformation Krishna is asking of Arjuna is sometimes called a turning about or an orthogonal rotation of consciousness. It is done both deliberately and with grace.

Deliberately through physical change of posture and movement and breath and direction of attention. With grace through the immediate responding of our Energetic Source. The more spiritual energy we manifest, the more we are given. We forget this, do not want to even know this, when we are in despair.