During Kurukshetra war, Arjun refused to take up arms against the Kauravas. Though he was a brave warrior yet he was confused with a moral dilemma about fighting against the members of his own family. Arjun expressed his hesitation about fighting against the people who had raised, nurtured and taught him. He loved his grandfather Bhishma and his guru, Drona.
Lord Krishna said, “During this great war, there will be killing and immense losses on both sides. I understand your love and respect for Bhishma and Drona. They are noble men but they have sided with Adharma by not protesting against injustice to you, Pandavas. In a war, there are no relations, but before the war there were relations. But Bhishma and Drona did not exercise their seniority and authority against injustice.”
Lord Krishna was not just Arjun’s charioteer. He used His power of words to influence Arjun who felt dejected and depressed on the battlefield. Seeing the despondent Arjun, Lord Krishna blessed him with the divine vision to enable him
to see the cosmic dimension (Vishva/Virat roopa) of the Lord. Lord Krishna said, “Arjun, attachment to anyone is an obstruction in the path of spiritual progress. My own detachment with my parents, foster parents, brothers and soul mates is an example of the philosophy of life. So, I am neither a friend nor an enemy of anyone.”
Lord Krishna encouraged Arjun to choose a cause over concern for the members of his family. He described the three-fold path to moksha–jnana, karma and bhakti. Lord Krishna convinced Arjun about the importance of Karma and Dharma. His philosophical sermons to Arjun became the great text of the Bhagavad Gita.
The ultimate secret of the Bhagavad Gita is devotion and surrender. The holy text also speaks of essential food habits for a healthy body, devotion, surrender, doing duties, regardless of results. These were the keys to avoid grief and attachment.
The blind king, Dhritrashtra, was eager to know the happenings of Mahabharata war.
Sanjaya was Dhritrashtra’s advisor and charioteer. The great sage, Vyas, had granted him the divine ability of seeing events from a distance. So, Sanjaya narrated the daily events of the war for Dhritrashtra. Sanjaya was the first one who narrated the Bhagavad Gita other than Lord Krishna Himself. The Bhagavad Gita is a discussion between Lord Krishna and Arjun. However, this discussion was repeated as a recital by Sanjaya to Dhritrashtra.
One day, after describing the scene on the battlefield, Sanjaya told King Dhritrashtra, “I know you are hoping that the Kauravas will be victorious since they are assisted by great warriors like Bhishma, Drona and Karna. However, in my opinion, victory lies on the side where Lord Krishna is present.” Victory was certain for the Pandavas because Lord Krishna was with them as Arjun’s charioteer.
