Chapter 1: Arjuna Viṣhāda Yoga – Transforming Grief into Yoga / Verse 24

Explanation of verses 1.24 and 1.25:

Humility is a close associate of the great. How humbly Krishna obeys the Master of his chariot!

But the greater truth should not be missed. If a devotee takes one step towards his God, God will advance Himself by two. This is what transpired in the dharmic Kurukshetra too, affirming the abstruse law of divinity.

Anything Krishna does will have its special flavour and purpose. Krishna drove on, but stationed the chariot right in front of Bheeshma, Drona and other notable leaders, and told Arjuna: “See, who all will battle against you.”

Arjuna’s intention is quite clear. But Krishna’s is subtle. He wanted Arjuna to examine himself and discern whether he was equipped to fight his grandfather, teacher and other elders.

True, throughout the long forest exile, Arjuna did severe austerities, suspending even sleep, thereby winning the name Gudakesha (conqueror of sleep). But would all this make one amply resourceful to face all crises, confrontations? Will material acquisitions and physical prowess alone empower one fully? Or is something more needed? If yes, how to discern and gain it?

Krishna has long been waiting for an occasion to instruct Arjuna about this powerful inner realm. Now he felt that the time was ripe for it. So, he stationed the chariot in such a place that it would reveal to Arjuna his own hollowness and compel him to seek redress.

As grandfather, Bheeshma had nursed Arjuna right from childhood. As for Dronacharya, how could Arjuna employ the archery skill against his own teacher? Both would be grave betrayal. Where lies the solution then? How to access it?