Bhagavad-gita originally appears as an episode in the Mahabharata,the epic Sanskrit history of the ancient world. The Mahabharata tells of events leading up to the present Age of Kali. It was at the beginning of this age, some fifty centuries ago, that Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad- gita to his friend and devotee Arjuna.
Their discourse-one of the greatest philosophical and religious dialogues known to man-took place just before the onset of war, a great fratricidal conflict between the hundred sons of Dhritrashtra and on the opposing side their cousins the Pandavas, or sons of Pandu.
Dhritrashtra and Pandu were brothers born in Kuru Dynasty, descending from King Bharat, a former ruler of the earth, from whom name Mahabharata derives. Because Dhritrashtra, the elder brother, was born blind, the throne that otherwise would have been his was passed down to younger brother,Pandu. When Pandu died at an early age, his five children -Yudhisthira, Bhima. Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeve- came under the care of Dhritrashtra,who in effect became, for time being, the king. Thus the sons of Dhritrashtra and those of Pandu grew up in the same royal household. Both were trained in the millitary art by the expert teacher Guru Drona and counseled by the revered "grandfather" of clan Bhisma.
Yet the sons of Dhritrashtra especially the eldest, Duryodhana, hated and envied the Pandavas. And the blind and weak minded Dhritrashtra wanted his own sons, not those of Pandu,to inherit the kingdom.Thus Duryodhana, with Dhritrashtra's consent,plotted to kill the young sons of Pandu, and it was only by the carefully protection of their uncle Vidur and their cousin Lord Krishna that the Pandavas escaped the many attempts against their lives. Now, Lord Krishna is not an ordinary man but the Supreme Godhead himself, who had descended tot earth and was playing the role of a prince in contemporary dynasty. In this role He was also the nephew of Pandu's wife Kunti or Pratha the mother of the Pandavas. So both as a relative and as the eternal upholder of religion, Krishna favored the righteous sons of Pandu and proteceted them.Ultimately, However, the clever Duryodhana challanged the Pandavas to gambling match. In the course of that fateful tournament, Duryodhana and his brothers took possesion of Draupadi the chaste and devoted with of Pandavas,and insultingly tried to strip her naked before entire assembly of princes and kings. Krishna's divine intervention saved her, but gambleing, which was rigged,cheated the Pandavas of their kingdom and forced them into thirteen years exile.
Upon returning from exile, the Pandavas rightfully requested their kingdom from Duryodhana, who bluntly refused to yield it. Dutybond as princes to serve in public administration, the five Pandavas reduced their request to mere five villages. But Duryodhana arrogantly replied that he wouldn't spare them enough land into which to drive a pin. Throughout all this, the Pandavas had been consistently tolerant and forebearing.But now war seemed inevitable.Noneheless , as the princes of the world divided, some siding with the sons of Dhritrashtra, others with the Pandavas, Krishna himself took the role of messenger for the sons of Pandu and went to the court of Dhritrashtra to plead for peace. When his pleas were refused,war was now certain. The Pandavas men of the highest moral stature, recognized Krishna to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas the impious sons of Dhritrashtra did not. Yet Krishna offered to enter the war according to desire of the antagonists. As God, He would not personally fight;but whoever so desired might avail himself of Krishna's army and the other side could have Krishna Himself , as an advisor and helper. Duryodhana, the political genius, snatched at Krishna's afmed forces,while the Pandavas were equally eager to have Krishna Himself.
In this way, Krishna became the charioteer of Arjuna,taking it upon Himself to drive the fabled bowman's chariot. This brings us to the point at which Bhagavad-gita begins, two armies arrayed, ready for combat, and Dhritrashtra anxiously inquiring of his secretary Sanjay,What did they do?
At this time Arjuna is not ready for war, then Lord Krishna given spritually speech about of duty. Presenttime this speech also fit for every life. Now starting ....
Contd. be next issue
