Krishna revives the wilting spirit of Arjuna that makes him reluctant to fight when the Mahabharata war is about to begin. Arjuna typifies the human predicament when all beings confront problems and dilemmas of endless variety and proportions in the course of life, pointed out Srimati Prema Pandurang in a discourse. Arjuna is well learned in the sastras, knows Vedanta, and is an accomplished warrior. Yet he confesses to Krishna that he is unsure about the dharma in waging war against one’s own kith and kin. How can one find peace in such a victory? By abandoning war and allowing the Kurus to rule, he says his problem would be solved.
Arjuna displays physical signs of depression characteristic in one who is about to break down and he seeks surrender at Krishna’s feet. The all knowing Krishna smiles at his pseudo knowledge and decides to grace Arjuna and mankind with practical wisdom and jnana on basic issues related to life and work. It is a wake up call to shed wrong notions that only delude and lead to despair, especially during critical situations in life.
The advice begins with the exhortation to sift between the eternal as opposed to the ephemeral in existence. Birth and death have to be viewed in a matter of fact manner just as one accepts normal and cyclic occurrences in nature such as the sun rising and setting, birds chirping, etc. There is nothing to grieve about these. What matters to each one is to be alert to the welfare of the immortal atma rather than on the body that is born, grows and perishes. The second advice pertains to the performance of one’s ordained duties and the consequences that continue to bind one to samsara. Since none can escape from these, the way out is to be detached for Lord’s sake without an eye on fruits.