5. Krishna Smiles

Krishna smiled and spoke to Arjuna -- there between the two armies the voice of God spoke these words: -- Chapter 2, verse 10, The Bhagavad Gita (Tr. Juan Mascaro)

All that Krishna is about to say is contained in that smile. How beautiful that the Source of all being meets our doubts, our fears, our willful refusals, our angers with a smile! Not a frown. Not laughter. A smile.

Krishna first responded to Arjuna's complaints nonverbally. The nonverbal contains about 70 - 80% of the meaning of a communication; the verbal only about 20 - 30%. If Arjuna had been tuned in to Krishna rather than lying dejected on the floor of his chariot, he would have seen the smile and understood immediately. The Gita would have ended right there. Fortunately for us, Krishna had to spell it out for him.

Krishna begins by reminding Arjuna that we humans get caught up in the cycle of life and death, rooting for life and fearing and hating death. Krishna says that both life and death shall pass away. Neither is the ultimate outcome.

Thy tears are for those beyond tears; and are thy words words of wisdom? The wise grieve not for those who live; and they grieve not for those who die -- for life and death shall pass away. -- Chapter 2, verse 11

He then reminds Arjuna that the Spirit which animates us is indestructible.

Because we all have been for all time: I, and thou, and these kings of men. And we all shall be for all time, we all for ever and ever. -- Chapter 2, verse 12

We are made of the same stuff as our Source. At our core is indestructible Spirit. We have been with our Source since the beginning of time. And we shall be with our Source for ever.

I laugh when I realize that before I was born into and as this body, I was doing very well, happy and content. Then I was told I had to leave, take form in a human womb and be born into human society. I did not want to do that, sounded kind of risky to me. I was fine where I was.

Now I have grown accustomed to this embodying and I am told I have to leave here. Once again, a part of me does not want to go, sounds kind of risky to me.

It is so easy to forget I am a process. I want to make of myself a small never-changing kingdom. Fortunately, I am not listened to, for that would be sure death. When I lie on the floor of my chariot and complain, Krishna (our Source) smiles.