Category:Arjuna's Questions
Theme Analysis
The Bhagavad-gītā is structurally formulated as a divine dialogue, driven by the profound inquiries of Arjuna and the supreme answers of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is essential to understand that Arjuna, as an eternal associate and pure devotee of the Lord, was not actually ignorant. Rather, he was deliberately put into a state of illusion on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra by the Lord's internal potency. This was done specifically so that Arjuna could pose relevant questions about the problems of life on behalf of the common people. By acting as the perfect, submissive student, Arjuna allowed Kṛṣṇa to speak authoritatively, thereby chalking out the plan of life for all future generations of human beings.
Arjuna's questions cover the entire spectrum of transcendental science. He addresses Kṛṣṇa as Puruṣottama (the Supreme Person) and Madhusūdana (the killer of demons), requesting the Lord to kill the demonic doubts within his mind. Arjuna asks highly technical questions: What is Brahman? What is the self? What are the symptoms of one who has transcended the three modes of material nature? He also seeks practical guidance, inquiring about the fate of the unsuccessful yogī, the cause of a living being's lust, and the difference between renunciation of work and work in devotion. To settle the debate between personalists and impersonalists forever, Arjuna directly asks whether it is more perfect to worship the unmanifested Brahman or to engage in Kṛṣṇa's personal devotional service.
By putting these questions before the Supreme Authority, Arjuna clears the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness for all serious students. He intentionally asks questions that defy the atheistic and demonic mentalities, forcing Kṛṣṇa to clearly establish His own supreme, eternal position without the distortions of mundane scholars. The answers provided by Kṛṣṇa are absolute fact, constituting the true meaning of śāstra. Ultimately, Arjuna's submissive inquiry demonstrates the perfect process for receiving spiritual knowledge: one must approach the supreme spiritual master, stop friendly or challenging arguments, and ask definitive questions to achieve the ultimate perfection of life.
- Divine Arrangement: Arjuna was placed into temporary ignorance so he could ask questions on behalf of all conditioned souls.
- Comprehensive Inquiry: His questions span the deepest philosophical topics, including the nature of Brahman, the field of activities, and the modes of material nature.
- Defeating Atheism: Arjuna deliberately framed questions to force Kṛṣṇa to authoritatively state His supreme position, leaving no room for impersonal or demonic interpretations.
- The Perfect Student: By submissively offering himself as a disciple and asking clear, relevant questions, Arjuna modeled how everyone should approach the Supreme Lord for knowledge.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Arjuna's Questions - Inquiring on Behalf of Humanity.
Pages in category "Arjuna's Questions"
The following 72 pages are in this category, out of 72 total.
A
- A thief knows that stealing is bad. He has seen it also that a thief is punished. Still he commits theft. Why? This is the question atha kena prayukto 'yam papam carati purusah
- Although Arjuna knew all the transcendental science, he questioned Krsna as if he did not know. Similarly, Prthu Maharaja knew everything, but he presented himself before the Kumaras as if he did not know anything
- Although Krsna is manifested before Arjuna in His universal form, Arjuna remembers his friendly relationship with Krsna and is asking pardon and requesting Krsna to excuse him for the many informal gestures which arise out of friendship. BG 1972 purports
- An actual example (of by devotional service even God becomes subordinate to devotee) is that the Supreme Lord Krsna became the chariot driver of Arjuna, and when Arjuna asked Him to draw his chariot between the two armies, Krsna executed his order
- An example of sthayi was exhibited when Arjuna told Akrura, "My dear son of Gandini, please ask Krsna when I shall be able to embrace Him in my arms"
- Are those who create some sort of God by selecting a human being and placing their faith in him worshiping in goodness, passion or ignorance? Do such persons attain the perfectional stage of life? Arjuna is putting these questions to Krsna. BG 1972 pur
- Arjuna addresses the Lord as Madhusudana because Krsna once killed a demon named Madhu. Actually these questions (of BG 8.2), which are of the nature of doubts, should not have arisen in the mind of Arjuna because Arjuna is a KC devotee. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna also inquires about atma, which refers to body, soul and mind. According to the Vedic dictionary, atma refers to the mind, soul, body and senses also. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna has addressed the Supreme Lord as Purusottama, SP, which means that he was putting these (BG 8.1) questions not simply to a friend but to the Supreme Person, knowing Him to be the supreme authority able to give definitive answers. BG 1972 pur
- Arjuna inquired, "My dear girl (Kalindi), you are so beautiful with your raised breasts. May I ask you who you are? We (Arjuna and Krsna) are surprised to see you loitering here (near the Yamuna) alone. What is your purpose in coming here?
- Arjuna inquired, "We (Arjuna and Krsna) can guess only that you (Kalindi) are searching after a suitable husband. If you don't mind, you can disclose your purpose. I shall try to satisfy you"
- Arjuna inquired: O my dear Lord, by what symptoms is one known who is transcendental to those modes? What is his behavior? And how does he transcend the modes of nature? BG 14.21 - 1972
- Arjuna inquired: O my dear Lord, by which symptoms is one known who is transcendental to these three modes? What is his behavior? And how does he transcend the modes of nature?
- Arjuna inquired: O my Lord, O Supreme Person, what is Brahman? What is the self? What are fruitive activities? What is this material manifestation? And what are the demigods? Please explain this to me. BG 8.1 - 1972
- Arjuna inquired: Which is considered to be more perfect: those who are properly engaged in Your devotional service, or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested? BG 12.1 - 1972
- Arjuna inquires of the means by which he can attain the transcendental nature. That is very important. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna is asking Krsna how He exists in His all-pervading aspect through His different energies. One should know that this is being asked by Arjuna on behalf of the common people
- Arjuna is asking Krsna to explain His all-pervading nature so that in the future people will understand, especially the impersonalists. One should know that this is being asked by Arjuna on behalf of the common people. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna is asking Krsna to show His Narayana form because He can assume any form. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna is asking not to a third-class so-called philosopher and chemist and economist, but to Krsna. Krsna. Because whatever answer Krsna will give, that is fact. And sastra means the things which have been spoken by Krsna. That is sastra
- Arjuna is asking this question about the fate of the unsuccessful yogi so that in the future people would not be discouraged. By a yogi, Arjuna is referring to the hatha-yogi, jnana-yogi and bhakti-yogi; it is not that meditation is the only form of yoga
- Arjuna is here (in BG 12.1) questioning which position is better. There are different ways to realize the Absolute Truth, but Krsna indicates in this chapter that bhakti-yoga, or devotional service to Him, is highest of all. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna put this question (of BG 4.4) before Him in order that Krsna would describe Himself without being depicted by the demons who always try to distort Him in a way understandable to the demons and their followers. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna questions how one's mind can remain fixed on Krsna's lotus feet at such times (of death). BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna remembers his friendly relationship with Krsna and is therefore asking pardon and requesting Krsna to excuse him for the many informal gestures which arise out of friendship
- Arjuna said: O Krsna, first of all You ask me to renounce work, and then again You recommend work with devotion. Now will You kindly tell me definitely which of the two is more beneficial? BG 5.1 - 1972
- Arjuna submitted the three different questions (BG 14.21), & the Lord answers them one after another. In these verses (22-25), Krsna first indicates that a person transcendentally situated neither envies anyone nor hankers for anything. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna wants to clarify the two distinct subject matters of Bhagavad-gita, namely renunciation (tyaga) and the renounced order of life (sannyasa). Thus he is asking the meaning of these two words. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna was inquisitive about prakrti or nature, purusa, the enjoyer, ksetra, the field, ksetrajna, its knower, and of knowledge and the object of knowledge. When he inquired about all these, Krsna said that this body is called the field. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna was put into ignorance on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra just to question Krsna about the problems of life so that the Lord could explain them for the benefit of future generations of human beings & chalk out the plan of life. BG 1972 Introduction
- Arjuna was put into ignorance on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra just to question Lord Krsna about the problems of life so that the Lord could explain them and man could act accordingly and perfect the mission of human life. BG 1972 Introduction
- Arjuna's asking the Lord's permission is also significant. Since the Lord is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is present within Arjuna himself; therefore He knows the desire of Arjuna. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna's putting this (BG 4.4) question before the Lord is simply an attempt by the devotee to defy the atheistic attitude of persons who consider Krsna to be an ordinary human being subject to the modes of material nature. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna's questions to Krsna: Is it possible for them (who create some sort of God by selecting a human being) to be situated in real knowledge and elevate themselves to the highest perfectional stage? BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna, he loves Krsna, he's a lover of God; therefore he's asking question from Krsna. But whatever question is answered by Krsna, that is perfect, because He is perfect. So our process of receiving knowledge: from the perfect
B
- Both Indra and Visnu are worshiped by yajna performances. But here (in BG 8.2) Arjuna asks who is actually the Lord of yajna (sacrifice), and how is the Lord residing within the body of the living entity. BG 1972 purports
- By his questions he (Arjuna) is clearing the path of Krsna consciousness for all students who seriously want to understand the mystery of the Bhagavad-gita. BG 1972 purports
F
- Factually, there are two classes of transcendentalists. Now Arjuna is trying to settle the question of which process is easier and which of the classes is most perfect
- For Arjuna there is no doubt, Yet he is asking Krsna to explain His all-pervading nature so that in future people will understand, especially the impersonalists, how He exists in His all-pervading aspect through His different energies. BG 1972 purports
- For them (the demons who do not like the idea that Krsna should be accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead) only Arjuna inquires on this point (BG 4.4), as if he were himself not aware of the Personality of Godhead, or Krsna. BG 1972 purports
H
- He (Arjuna) asked further about the actual mission of this devastating force. It is written in the Vedas that the Supreme Truth destroys everything, even Brahma. BG 1972 purports
- He (Arjuna) asked Him (Krsna) to stay there until he had finished observing the enemies he had to face in the battle. When the Lord was so asked, He at once did so, just like an order carrier
- He (Arjuna) is asking Lord Krsna, the supreme spiritual master, to make a definite solution. He offers himself to Krsna as a disciple. He wants to stop friendly talks. BG 1972 purports
- He (Arjuna) wanted to skillfully avoid the fighting by using Krsna consciousness as an excuse. But as a sincere student, he placed the matter before his master and questioned Krsna as to his best course of action. BG 1972 purports
I
- I (Arjuna) fall down to offer You my respectful obeisances and ask Your mercy. As a father tolerates the impudence of his son, a friend the impertinence of a friend, or a husband the familiarity of his wife, please tolerate the wrongs I may have done You
- If there is little doubt, he can submissively make question. Just like Arjuna made question to Krsna
- If we want to curb lamentation for good, then we have to take shelter of Krsna, as Arjuna is seeking to do. So Arjuna asked Krsna to solve his problem definitely, and that is the way of Krsna consciousness. BG 1972 purports
- In answer to Arjuna's question, Krsna clearly says that he who concentrates upon His personal form and who worships Him with faith and devotion is to be considered most perfect in yoga. BG 1972 purports
- In Bhagavad-gita, Third Chapter, verse 36, Arjuna inquired from Krsna about the cause of a living being's lust
- In order to drive out all misgivings which the gross materialists of the world may have, Arjuna asked all relevant questions, and the answers were given by Krsna so that any layman can understand them
- In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna showed Arjuna His universal form because Arjuna was His very dear friend. Upon seeing Krsna as the Lord of the universes, however, Arjuna asked Krsna to forgive the familiarity of his friendship - CC Intro
- In the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, when Arjuna asks about the fate of the unsuccessful yogi, Sri Krsna replies: partha naiveha namutra, vinasas tasya vidyate, na hi kalyana-krt kascid, durgatim tata gacchati - BG 6.40
- In this chapter (of BG 8) Krsna answers these (BG 8.1) different questions of Arjuna beginning with, "What is Brahman?" God also explains karma, fruitive activities, devotional service & yoga principles, & devotional service in its pure form. BG 1972 pur
- In this verse (BG 14.21), Arjuna's questions are very appropriate. He wants to know the symptoms of a person who has already transcended the material modes. He first inquires of the symptoms of such a transcendental person. BG 1972 purports
K
- King Jarasandha was very liberal in giving charity to brahmanas, and thus he informed Lord Krsna, Bhima and Arjuna: "My dear brahmanas, you may ask from me whatever you like. If you so desire, you may take my head also. I am prepared to give it"
- Krsna knew that Arjuna was not interested in seeing a four-handed form of Krsna, but since he asked to see this four-handed form, He also showed him this form again and then showed Himself in His two-handed form. BG 1972 purports
- Krsna knows everything, Arjuna is putting this question to Him about the fate of the unsuccessful yogi
S
- Since Krsna is the authority accepted by all, Arjuna put this question (of BG 4.4) before Him in order that Krsna would describe Himself without being depicted by the demons. BG 1972 purports
- So there were six questions by Arjuna: ksetra, ksetra-jna, jnanam, jneyam, prakrti, purusa. Six questions. So Krsna has already replied what is ksetra, ksetra-jna, and what is the process of knowledge and what is the object of knowledge
T
- The meditator, the philosopher and the devotee are all to be considered yogis. Arjuna is questioning for all those who are attempting to become successful transcendentalists. And how does Sri Krsna answer him
- There are innumerable forms. But Arjuna knew that Krsna is the original Personality of Godhead assuming His temporary universal form. He is now asking to see the form of Narayana, a spiritual form. BG 1972 purports
- There is no question of Arjuna's considering whether he would fight or not. It is sanctioned by Krsna; so fight must be there
- These questions are asked by Arjuna for their (the demons and atheists) benefit. The superior devotee is not only concerned for his own understanding, but for the understanding of all mankind. BG 1972 purports
- This important question (What is the use of such a waste of time) asked of Krsna by Arjuna will clarify the distinction between the impersonal and personal conceptions of the Absolute Truth. BG 1972 purports
- This verse (BG 14.26) is a reply to Arjuna's third question: What is the means of attaining to the transcendental position? As explained before, the material world is acting under the spell of the modes of material nature. BG 1972 purports
- This verse is a reply to Arjuna's third question: What is the means of attaining to the transcendental position? As explained before, the material world is acting under the spell of the modes of material nature
- To clarify this point (it is very difficult for an ordinary man to understand Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead), Arjuna put this (BG 4.4) question before Krsna so that He Himself could speak authoritatively. BG 1972 purports