Book Title: World of Philosophy
Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
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He is therefore convinced that even if the sons of 'Dhritrastral kill him, unarmed, unresisting, it will be more graceful to him. This sounds to be the limit of dejection that Arjuna is relinquishing even his ultimate duty of self-defense! He could surely make a more reasonable, law-abiding, righteous ruler, much superior than the sons of Dhritrastra. The psycho-somatic fit of Arjuna is making him blind to his social duty as a king, which is much greater & larger than duty to his family only. He slumps powerless, in his chariot, Gandiva (the bow) dropped.
I think, when dilemma sets in deep, dejection becomes strong, similar reactions exhibit, for any individual. I experienced lack of confidence in the face of certain difficulties of my work-place 1988. I submitted resignation from Group - A service of Govt. of India! My superior authority asked me if I would like to tear off the (resignation) paper myself or he should do it. I could only reply, "Sir, I have not submitted the paper to withdraw it"! I had no other job, no finance to support me! Logical faculty had stopped functioning, completely.
Arjuna had given-up. He was in complete dejection with tears in his eyes. This state of pitiable incompetence at the critical moment was obviously shocking. The Lord argues with Arjunaa, probably to keep him involved in conversation, to save him from falling into a bottomless psychological abyss. I believe, to keep such a person involved in constructive argument, is the first & most important requirement! The Lord argued;
कुलःत्वा कश्मलं इदं विषमे समुपस्थितम्। 3777f-1124-3491277 - 370 lait-024-37of7 11(2/2) क्लैयं मा स्म गमः पार्थ न-एतत-त्वमि उपपद्यते ।
G4 -atam44 747 91 3fa8 94-7911 (2/3) "Arjuna, whence did you get such weakness of nerves, at this critical moment? The behavior of yours' is not compatible with 'Aryan' standards. O sun of 'Kunti', do not fall into this mean-importance, it does not befit you. O scorcher of foes; reject this weakness of heart & get up to fight)". Arjuna responds to the friendly rebuke and that is most important thing at the moment.
कथं भीष्मम्-अह्म संख्यै द्रोणं च मधुसूदन । fufen uforineft 451-376 37f-4G7 II (2/4)
गुरुन हत्वा हि महानु भावान् शेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यम् - अपि इह लोके (2/5) Arjuna replies, "O Mudhusudan, how can I attack with arrows, the adorable people like Bhishma (his grandsire) & Drauna (his teacher)?" The root of his dilemma is now clearly expressed by himself. He is a warrior, he leaves the option of war, he will invite disgrace if he fights he has to kill adorable people; unfortunately because they are standing on the enemy side.
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