BG study notes compiled by Dhira prashanta dasa

Bhagavad Gita Overview

Chapter One Overview

 Text 1-27 INTRODUCTION

 Text 1-11 The Battle
 Text 1 Dhrtarashtra’s doubt
{Understanding that Dhåtaräñtra wanted war, Saïjaya then spoke, to make him aware that
there would be war, but that the results would be the opposite of the fulfillment of his
desires.}
Sanjaya continues.
 Text 2
Duryodhana, seeing the arrangement of troops (vyüòhäm) being prepared by the Päëòavas,
then speaks, revealing his inner fear in nine verses, starting from the third verse.
 Text 3-11 Duryodhana’s diplomacy
Duryodhana went to his teacher dronacarya started describing the army of pandavas from
text 4 to text 6.
Thinking that Drona might perceive that he was fearful of the Pandavas army, Duryodhana then
spoke boldly to cover his inner fears. In
Text 7: {Duryodhana did not want to discourage those listening to his own fears concerning
the Päëòavas’ strength. Therefore he added, “Let me tell you about the great warriors on my
side.”}
Duryodhana begins narrating about the warriors from his side from
text 8.
Text 11: {Duryodhana was confident of victory because of Bhisma and Drona and diplomatically he
encouraged his soldiers that you are also important and should give full support to grandfather as he
was commander in chief of the army.

And another reason was that Bhéñma vowed not to fight with a woman. Since Çikhaëòé was considered
a woman, the grandfather had to be protected from him.}

{Bhéñma did not answer Duryodhana’s words. Instead he replied by blowing his conchshell, which
meant: “Despite your heroic words, victory or defeat lies in the Lord’s hands. I will do my duty and
lay down my life for your sake, but that will not guarantee your victory.” The conchshell, being a
symbol of Viñëu, indicated that Duryodhana had no chance of victory in the battle, because Kåñëa, the
origin of Viñëu, was present on the opposing side.} text 12

 Text 12-13 The Blowing Of Conchshells

 Text 14-20 Signs Of Victory

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{In this verse the conch shell blown by the Pandavas are described as Transcedental as compared to
the Kauravas were no such description is mention. Although Kåñëa promised not to fight, He
nevertheless accepted the Kaurava’s challenge and blew His conch. The transcendental sound cheered
the Päëòava army and shocked the sons of Dhåtaräñöra.}

Sanjaya tactfully informed Dhrtarashtra about “his hopeless plans to win” by giving the
following indications and signs:
SIGNS OF VICTORY OF PANDAVAS (9 points)
1. Krishna’s personal presence confirms victory
Supreme Personality of Godhead is the charioteer (1.14) – “jayas tu pandu-putranam
yesam…”
Krishna as Hrsikesha directly controls the senses of a pure devotee
2. Goddess of fortune
Whenever and wherever the Lord is present, the goddess of fortune is also there
She never lives without her husband; therefore all fortune is guaranteed (1.14)
3. Venue
Kurukshetra is a holy place (1.1)
4. Hanumanji on Arjuna’s flag
Hanumanji also helped Lord Rama in gaining victory (1.20)
5. Symbol of Vishnu
Conchshell is a symbol of Vishnu (1.12* & 1.14)
This is indirectly indicated by Bhisma and Pandavas conchshells
6. Transcendental conchshells
Krishna and Arjuna’s conchshell mentioned as divya (transcendental) (1.14)
7. Bhisma’s conchshell to pacify Duryodhana (1.12*)
8. Agnideva’s Chariot given to Arjuna
It was capable of conquering all directions (1.14)
9. Shattering of hearts
Conchshells of Pandavas shattered Kauravas hearts (1.19)
Pandavas hearts not shattered – because of confidence in Krishna

In text 15:{The Päëòavas blew their conches immediately after Kåñëa sounded Päïcajanya. This signifies that
they were Lord’s dependent followers and acted on His behalf. On the other side, the Kauravas acted
independently, pursuing their own selfish desires. This erroneous mentality was the ultimate reason for their
defeat as it is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gétä 18.58:

If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace.
If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you
will be lost.

The fact that the Päëòavas did not sound their conches first shows that they would prefer to settle the conflict
by conciliation. But when they were challenged they accepted the fight. Arjuna and Bhéma, particularly, were so
eager that they even broke the etiquette and blew their conches before Yudhiñöhira.

The devotees should be ready to fight when the Lord desires so.}

In text 16-18 {Sanjaya addressing king dhritarashtra as prthivi pate ‘Lord of earth’, because due to
the attachment to his sons this war is taking place, he is the lord of earth and could have stopped this
massacre.}

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In text 21:{Kåñëa’s first appearance in Bhagavad-gétä. What is He doing? He is driving Arjuna’s

chariot and accepting his orders. This is glorious: Kåñëa, the supreme controller, is taking orders from
His devotee as if He were a menial servant.}

 Text 21-25 Krsna as Bhakta vatsal

Saïjaya describes this scene to Dhåtaräñöra and then goes on to name the other family
members Arjuna sees before him in text 26.

Text 27-46 ARJUNA’S ARGUMENT AGAINST FIGHTING THE WAR

 Text 27-29 Argument 1;Compassion . {Krsna; answers the argument of
compassion in 2.10-30}
Text 28-30 Signs of compassion (9 points)
S.No Body part Sign
1. Limbs Quivering
2. Mouth Drying up
3. Whole body Trembling
4. Hair Standing on end
5. Hands Gandiva bow slipping
6. Skin Burning
7. Legs Unable to stand any longer due to impatience
8. “Forgetting myself and mind reeling” – Due to weakness of the heart
9. Sees only causes of misfortune

 TEXT 31-35 Argument 2, Enjoyment. {Krishna: answers the argument of

enjoyment in 2.31-37.}
In text 31: { Arjuna’s thinking as follows: “I will win the battle, but I will suffer greatly. Those I kill
will be elevated to the sun planet, but no good reaction will come to me.” Arjuna continues to explain
the intolerable results he envisions.}

In text 32-35: {Srila Baldeva Vidyabhusana describes why Arjuna addresses Krishna as Govinda and
give the inner conversation
Arjuna addressing the lord as Govinda means “you know the functions of all my senses (go) therefore please
understand what I am thinking” he tells his reason for not wanting a kingdom.
“Having given up the desire for life (pranam) and wealth (dhanani) they are standing ready to fight.

In giving up their lives, they should have desire for kingdom in order to give happiness to their friend. But their
inclination to fight is useless, since this kingdom will be destroyed.”
Krishna speaks “If you, being merciful will not kill them, they will certainly kill you & your kingdom without
opposition.
Arjuna replys “I have no desire to kill them, even if they attack me, even I attain a kingdom of the three worlds, what
to speak of attaining just this earth”.
Krishna speaks “Apart from others, atleast these sons of dhrtarashtra should be killed, becoz it is possible to be
happy, having killed those that give so much trouble.”
Arjuna replys “Having killed duryodhana and others what peace would we Pandavas who remain have? None at all.”

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BG study notes compiled by Dhira prashanta dasa

“It is not proper to kill brothers for temporary semblance of happiness, but which will lead to long term suffering in
hell. O Janardhana (destroyer of people), If they are to be killed, then you, have come to relieve the earth of its burden,
should kill them. It is not possible for you, the supreme lord, to suffer the effects of sin at all in killing them.”}
 Text 36-38 Argument 3, Sinful reaction. {Krishna answers the argument of
sinful reaction in 2.33-37}
{Six kinds of aggressors to be killed (based on grounds of politics and sociology – Artha-sastra)
Killing them does not incur any sin.
1. A Poison-giver; 2. One who sets fire to the house; 3. One who attacks with deadly weapons
4. One who plunders riches; 5.One who occupies another’s land; 6. One who kidnaps a wife}

 Text 39-43 Argument 4, Destruction of family. {Krishna answers the argument

of destruction of family in 2.45 – 2.46 & 3.24}

Text 44—46 CONCLUSION And Ch 2.6 Indecision {Krishna answers----------- }

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