Category:Arjuna and the Bhagavad-gita
Theme Analysis
The Bhagavad-gītā is the foundational text of spiritual science, and its delivery to Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra is a central event in Vedic history. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Arjuna was chosen as the recipient not because of academic scholarship or austere renunciation, but because of his unalloyed devotion. The interaction between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna outlines the perfect paradigm for receiving transcendental knowledge: one must abandon friendly, equal debates and submissively accept the Supreme Lord as the ultimate guru.
When the ancient chain of disciplic succession was broken by the influence of time, Lord Kṛṣṇa utilized Arjuna to rejuvenate the paramparā. Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly instructs that to understand the Bhagavad-gītā today, one must follow in the footsteps of its first disciple, accepting the Lord's words without mundane interpretation or mental speculation.
By analyzing Arjuna's transformation from a bewildered soldier driven by bodily affection to a surrendered instrument of the Lord's will, the Bhagavad-gītā teaches that true spiritual life does not require the cessation of activity. Arjuna did not change his profession after hearing the discourse; rather, he changed his consciousness, fighting not for his own sense gratification but to fulfill the supreme desires of the Lord.
- The Supreme Qualification: Kṛṣṇa bypassed scholars and ascetics, choosing Arjuna—a married military man—because he possessed the required qualification of being a pure devotee and intimate friend.
- The Necessity of Surrender: Friendly dialogue yielded no solution to Arjuna's crisis. True understanding only began when Arjuna formally accepted Kṛṣṇa as his spiritual master.
- Restoring the Disciplic Succession: Because the ancient chain of knowledge was broken, Kṛṣṇa used Arjuna to rejuvenate the paramparā, making Arjuna the standard by which all subsequent generations must understand the text.
- Dovetailing Desires: Arjuna achieved perfection by dovetailing his desires with Kṛṣṇa's, demonstrating that spiritual realization means acting strictly as an instrument of the Supreme Lord.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Arjuna and the Bhagavad-gītā - The Perfect Disciple and the Supreme Science.
Pages in category "Arjuna and the Bhagavad-gita"
The following 117 pages are in this category, out of 117 total.
A
- A guru is necessary. In the Bhagavad-gita, when Krsna and Arjuna were talking as friends, there was no conclusion. So Arjuna decided to accept Krsna as his guru
- According to great learned scholars, the whole Bhagavad-gita contains many authorized prayers, especially in the Eleventh Chapter, where Arjuna prays to the universal form of the Lord
- After hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjuna accepted Krsna as Param Brahma, the Supreme Brahman. BG 1972 Introduction
- After hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjuna dovetailed his mind with Krsna's desire. This is called oneness. This oneness, however, did not cause Arjuna and Krsna to lose their individualities
- After learning Bhagavad-gita, after taking lessons of Bhagavad-gita, he (Arjuna) did not become a bad man. No. He become a transcendental man
- After the Lord's departure he (Arjuna) remained in the same transcendental position, even though it appeared that he forgot all the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita
- Although Arjuna is addressed herein (BG 4.5) as the mighty hero who could subdue the enemies, he is unable to recall what had happened in his various past births. BG 1972 purports
- Although Arjuna was a very intimate friend of Krsna's, before receiving Srimad Bhagavad-gita he surrendered himself, saying, sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam: "Now I am Your disciple and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me." - BG 2.7
- Apparently Arjuna's intelligence became polluted because otherwise there would not have been a chance to deliver the teachings of Bhagavad-gita for the good of all polluted conditioned souls engaged in material bondage
- Arjuna had attained this stage long before on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, and when he apparently felt the absence of the Lord, he at once took shelter of the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita, and thus again he was placed in his original position
- Arjuna has described in the Bhagavad-gita: param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan (BG 10.12): Your personality is unknown to the so-called scholars. But authorities like Vyasa, Devala, Narada, Asita, they accept Your this form
- Arjuna is a good example. On his own sentiment, due to family affection, Arjuna did not want to fight, but finally, after hearing Srimad Bhagavad-gita, he agreed to fight in the interests of the Lord
- Arjuna is direct disciple of Krsna. So if you take Bhagavad-gita as it was understood by Arjuna, then you get the right knowledge. And if you take the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita explained by some so-called scholar and politician, then it is rascaldom
- Arjuna is exampling himself that he's accepting Krsna as the spiritual master, teacher. And then Krsna began to teach the Bhagavad-gita, and he changed his decision, and he was freed from all anxieties. This is spiritual life
- Arjuna refers to the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita, which was imparted to him by the Lord on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra
- Arjuna said in the Bhagavad-gita that controlling the mind is as impractical as stopping the blowing of a hurricane
- Arjuna says that, "Krsna, no more friendly talking. I agree to become Your disciple." So when he agreed to become disciple of Krsna, then He explained Bhagavad-gita
- Arjuna wanted first of all to satisfy his own senses by his decision not to fight with his kinsmen and friends, but Lord Sri Krsna taught him the Bhagavad-gita just to purify Arjuna's decision for sense gratification
- 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 a grhastha, householder, and a politician and a soldier. Why Bhagavad-gita was instructed to him? That is natural. He was not a vedanti. He was not a brahmin. He was not a sannyasi
- Arjuna was a ksatriya, and this conduct was not expected from him (to lament unnecessarily like a sudra). Lord Krsna, however, can dissipate the lamentation of the ignorant man, and for this purpose the Bhagavad-gita was sung by Him. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna was a most intimate friend of Sri Krsna, and thus Sri Krsna explained to him the essence of all scriptures, in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita
- Arjuna was authorized to understand the purpose of the Bhagavad-gita. We should not miss this important point if we are serious about preaching the gospel of the transcendental literature
- Arjuna was hesitant. But the same fighting remained after hearing Bhagavad-gita. And what is the change? The change is that bodily identification gone, spiritual identification taken, that he, as part and parcel of Krsna, it is his duty to serve Krsna
- Arjuna, after hearing the essential four verses of Bhagavad-gita in this chapter, became completely free from all doubts and accepted Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna, in Bhagavad-gita, was trying to accept for himself the responsibility for killing his grandfather and teacher in the fight, but he became freed from that proprietorship of action when he acted under the direction of Krsna
- Arjuna, the great warrior, attained the same perfection (the spiritual platform) simply by making friends with the Lord, who delivered the message of Bhagavad-gita to enlighten Arjuna and his followers
- Aryan means "advanced." Formerly, those who claimed to be Aryans had to be devotees of the Lord. For instance, in Bhagavad-gita (BG 2.2) Krsna chastised Arjuna by saying that he was speaking like a non-Aryan
- As expressed here (in SB 9.19.19) by the words brahmany adhyaya, one should concentrate one's mind upon the Supreme Lord, Parabrahman. This Parabrahman is Krsna, as confirmed by Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita - param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan
- As soon as Arjuna took up the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita, expert as he was, he could at once eradicate the material conception of Lord Krsna, his eternal friend
- As soon as Arjuna turned his attention towards the instructions of the Lord, as they are inculcated in the Bhagavad-gita, his true color of eternal association with the Lord became manifest, and thus he felt freed from all material contaminations
B
- Being an unalloyed devotee of the Personality of Godhead, Marshal Arjuna was able to discuss the transcendental philosophy of Bhagavad-gita even on the battlefield of Kuruksetra
- Bhagavad-gita (BG 7.19) Krsna tells Arjuna: After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare
- Bhagavad-gita is best understood by a person who has qualities similar to Arjuna's. That is to say he must be a devotee in a direct relationship with the Lord. BG 1972 Introduction
- Bhagavad-gita is instructed to Arjuna especially because Arjuna was a devotee of the Lord, a direct student of Krsna, and His intimate friend. BG 1972 Introduction
- Bhagavad-gita is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna, who is a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. The milk is the essence of the Vedas, and Arjuna is just like a calf. BG 1972 Introduction
- Bhagavad-gita is not meant for anyone else except the devotee. Bhagavan Sri Krsna could explain this Bhagavad-gita to the jnanis, to the yogis, to the karmis. But why He selected Arjuna?
- Bhagavad-gita is spoken in the warfield. Bhagavad-gita is spoken when Arjuna was in problem, whether to fight or not to fight. That is the, I mean the, background of Bhagavad-gita
- Bhagavad-gita is the statement of Krsna, and since it is the science of Krsna, it should be understood from Krsna as Arjuna understood it. It should not be received from atheistic persons. BG 1972 purports
- Bhagavad-gita should be understood in the parampara system. When the parampara system was lost, Arjuna was again selected to rejuvenate it. BG 1972 purports
- Bhagavad-gita was specifically spoken to Arjuna, and the visva-rupa was exhibited before him at his request
- Bhagavad-gita was spoken by the Lord just to change this view (bodily concept of life), & at the end Arjuna decides to fight under the directions of the Lord when he says, "karisye vacanam tava." "I shall act according to Thy word." BG 1972 Introduction
- Bhagavad-gita was taught to Arjuna for topmost class of men. They'll understand. Imam rajarsayo viduh. Evam parampara praptam. So be yourself amongst the topmost intelligent class of men and try to understand Bhagavad-gita. Then you'll be happy
- Bhagavad-gita, as it was understood by Arjuna, is also explained (BG 10.12-13), but there are many foolish men who do not follow in the footsteps of Arjuna in understanding the spirit of Bhagavad-gita
- By the grace of the Supreme Lord, Arjuna has understood that the Supreme Truth is Krsna and that He is the perfect one. One should therefore follow the path of Arjuna. He received the authority of Bhagavad-gita. BG 1972 purports
D
F
- For His part, the Personality of Godhead imparted the transcendental knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, because He found Marshal Arjuna the most deserving person to hear it
- From the teachings of Bhagavad-gita we learn very clearly that Arjuna, in the beginning, did not want to fight with his brothers and relatives, but after understanding Bhagavad-gita he dovetailed his consciousness with the superconsciousness of Krsna
G
- God is infallible, and in Bhagavad-gita He is addressed as Acyuta, which means, "He who never falls down." This is indicated because in Bhagavad-gita Arjuna had fallen into delusion but Krsna had not
- God is infallible, and in the Bhagavad-gita He is addressed as Acyuta, which means "He who never falls down." This name is appropriate because in the Bhagavad-gita Arjuna falls into illusion but Krsna does not - CC Intro
H
- He (Arjuna) said that although he could get a kingdom by fighting with his relatives, he did not want to fight with them. But when he was ordered by Krsna and convinced by the teachings of Bhagavad-gita that his duty was to satisfy Krsna, then he fought
- He (Krsna) again spoke the science of Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna because the parampara was broken. Sa kaleneha nastah. Otherwise there was no need of speaking Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna
- How Arjuna accepted this Bhagavad-gita should be noted. His manner of acceptance is given in the Tenth Chapter. BG 1972 Introduction
I
- If we have any knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, we have to see how it tallies with the understanding of Arjuna
- If we understand Bhagavad-gita in the same way that Arjuna did, we should know that our understanding is correct. This should be the criteria for our studying of BG. If we actually want to receive benefit from BG, we have to follow this principle
- If you simply follow the footsteps of Arjuna, if you simply try to understand Bhagavad-gita as Arjuna understood, then your study of Bhagavad-gita is complete. That is not difficult
- In Bhagavad-gita Arjuna has realized, "O Krsna, You are the Supreme Brahman," So you should make Arjuna your guru and Krsna your guru. Arjuna is the representative of Krsna, the friend of Krsna
- In the beginning of Bhagavad-gita Arjuna was talking to Krsna just like a friend, and Krsna was questioning how he, as a military man, could give up fighting
- In the Bhagavad-gita Arjuna recognized Krsna as purusa. Purusam sasvatam adyam. So He's the purusa. God is purusa, male. God is not female. The sakti, that is female, prakrti
- In the Bhagavad-gita we can see that Arjuna desired not to fight with his brothers and relations just to satisfy his own personal desires. But when he heard the message of the Lord, Srimad Bhagavad-gita, he changed his decision and served the Lord
- In the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna accepted Krsna as param brahma param dhama (BG 10.12). Although the living entities or material nature are sometimes described as Brahman, Parabrahman - the Supreme, the greatest of all Brahmans - is still Krsna, the SPG
- In the Fourth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita the Lord (Krsna) informed Arjuna that both He and Arjuna had undergone many, many births previously, but the Lord remembered everything about them whereas Arjuna had forgotten
- In the Tenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna confirmed that it is very difficult to understand the personality of the Lord
- It is accepted by great devotees that Lord Caitanya is Krsna Himself, and from this point of view He begins His instruction to Sanatana from the point where He ended His instructions to Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita
- It is our position to hear Bhagavad-gita from the lips of Arjuna or his bona fide representative, the spiritual master. After hearing, it is necessary to practice this acquired knowledge in daily life
- It is to be understood that all 8,400,000 species of bodily forms originate from the Lord, who is always adi, or the beginning. In Bhagavad-gita Arjuna addresses the Lord as adyam, or the original
- It was His (the Lord's) wish that His teaching be distributed anew by Arjuna. He wanted Arjuna to become the authority in understanding the Bhagavad-gita. BG 1972 Introduction
J
- Just as Arjuna was made to be illusioned by family affection & thus the Bhagavad-gita was spoken, so the Yadu dynasty was made to be intoxicated by the will of the Lord, nothing more. The devotees & associates of the Lord are completely surrendered souls
- Just to teach us, Marshal Arjuna tried to understand the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita at a time when a moment was virtually impossible to spare. All this he did for the sake of people like us, and he fought the battle with full vigor
K
- Krsna appeared for the mission of diminishing the burden of the world, & Arjuna was assisting Him by fighting on His behalf. Arjuna personally declined to fight, & the whole instruction of the Bhagavad-gita was given to Arjuna to engage him in the fight
- Krsna did not say Bhagavad-gita to the loafer class. Krsna said rajarsi. Arjuna was a rajarsi
- Krsna is the adi-purusa. In... Arjuna also confirms. After understanding Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna also confirms: param brahma param dhama, pavitram paramam bhavan, purusam sasvatam adyam. Adyam: the original person
- Krsna is the original spiritual master of the science of Bhagavad-gita, and Arjuna is the first disciple for understanding the Gita. How Arjuna understands the Bhagavad-gita is stated in the Gita itself. BG 1972 purports
- Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the ideal spiritual master, spoke the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita to Marshal Arjuna, His disciple. Here is a perfect example of the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple
L
- Lord Sri Krsna appeared again and taught Arjuna the truths of the Bhagavad-gita. At that time the Lord spoke this verse (BG 4.11) to His friend Arjuna
- Lord Sri Krsna wanted to explain the Bhagavad-gita, which is the science of devotional service, unto Sri Arjuna because Arjuna was not only His friend but a great devotee as well
O
- One of the real devotees of Krishna was Arjuna during the appearance of Lord Krishna and as such the parampara of the Bhagavad-gita, which was broken prior to the occurrence of the battle of Kuruksetra, was reestablished at the battlefield
- One who is not taught by a bona fide spiritual master cannot understand the Vedic literature. To emphasize this point, Krsna clearly said that it was because Arjuna was His devotee and confidential friend that he could understand the mystery of the BG
- Only the Lord's devotee and friend can understand the Gita. This also means that only one who follows the path of Arjuna can understand the Bhagavad-gita
- Our business should be we should follow the footsteps of Arjuna. How to follow the footsteps of Arjuna? As Arjuna understood Bhagavad-gita, you try to understand in that way
S
- Since God is supremely pure, one cannot rise to the highest perfectional stage of love of God without being purified. In the BG (10.12), when Arjuna accepted Krsna as the Supreme Lord, he said, pavitraḿ paramaḿ bhavan: You are the purest of the pure
- Some less intelligent men say that Bhagavad-gita is not meant for householders, but such foolish men forget that Bhagavad-gita was explained to Arjuna, a grhastha (family man), and spoken by the Lord in His role as a grhastha
- Sri Govindaji acts exactly like the siksa-guru (instructing spiritual master) by teaching Arjuna the Bhagavad-gita. He is the original preceptor, for He gives us instructions and an opportunity to serve Him
T
- The Battle of Kuruksetra was designed by the Lord (Krsna) Himself, but just to give credit to His devotee Arjuna - nimitta-matram bhava savyasacin
- The Bhagavad-gita is therefore meant for terminating all different types of miseries, and Arjuna took shelter of this great knowledge, which had been imparted to him during the Kuruksetra battle
- The Bhagavad-gita teaches Arjuna. Arjuna was overwhelmed of family affection, that "How can I fight with my members of the family? They are my brothers . . ." So this conception, bodily conception, was first of all eradicated in the Bhagavad-gita
- The Bhagavad-gita was spoken to Arjuna, not to any Vedantist philosophical speculator. In the beginning of the Fourth Chapter, you will note that Krsna says, "I am speaking to you that ancient system of yoga." It is stated, - unto you
- The example of clear understanding is there in the Bhagavad-gita itself, in the way the teaching is understood by Arjuna, who heard the Gita directly from the Lord. BG 1972 purports
- The listener must also be advanced to understand the words of such exalted, spiritually advanced people as Jada Bharata. Bhagavad-gita was spoken to Arjuna, not to others
- The Lord left behind Him the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita not for the benefit of Arjuna alone, but also for all time and in all lands. The Bhagavad-gita, being spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the essence of all Vedic wisdom
- The principles of the Bhagavad-gita were spoken to Arjuna, and, for that matter, to other highly elevated persons, because he was highly advanced compared to ordinary persons in other parts of the world. BG 1972 purports
- The supremacy of Lord Visnu is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (BG 10.12) in this statement by Arjuna: You are the primal God, transcendental and original, and You are the unborn and all-pervading beauty
- The supremacy of Lord Visnu is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (BG 10.12) in this statement by Arjuna: You are the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate, the supreme abode and purifier, the Absolute Truth and the eternal divine person
- The Supreme Lord is known as Acyuta, and Lord Krsna is addressed as such by Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita (BG 1.21) - senayor ubhayor madhye ratham sthapaya me 'cyuta BG 1.21
- The Supreme Personality of Krsna is the Supreme Brahman. This is confirmed by Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita (BG 10.12). param brahma param dhama: You are the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate, the supreme abode
- The teachings of Bhagavad-gita were imparted to Arjuna for his happiness and for the happiness of all men. This is indicated by Krsna, at the beginning of the Tenth Chapter - of Bhagavad-gita
- The Vedic civilization, however, is based on spiritual education, and spiritual education is the special basis on which Bhagavad-gita was spoken to Arjuna
- The whole Bhagavad-gita was spoken just to induce Arjuna to kill the godless, the sinful. That is Bhagavad-gita
- The word brahma-vadinam is very significant. Brahma-vadi refers to the devotees of the Lord. Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan are different terms for the Supreme Brahman, and the Supreme Brahman is Lord Krsna. This is accepted in BG 10.12 by Arjuna
- The word purusarcanam in this verse (SB 3.28.4) means worshiping Supreme Personality of Godhead, especially the form of Lord Krsna. In Bhagavad-gita it is confirmed by Arjuna that Krsna is the original purusa, or Personality of Godhead, purusam sasvatam
- The yoga system of Bhagavad-gita was lost before the meeting of Krsna and Arjuna. Therefore Krsna again enunciated the same ancient yoga system to Arjuna, who could actually understand Bhagavad-gita
- There is no difference between the sound representation of the Lord and the Lord Himself. One can derive the same benefit from the Bhagavad-gita as Arjuna did in the personal presence of the Lord
- This (CC Madhya 9.158) is the way to understand the truth about the SP of Godhead. After hearing the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna said very much the same thing: sarvam etad rtam manye yan mam vadasi kesava, na hi te bhagavan vyaktim vidur deva na danavah
- This is the way of the parampara system. If we follow the acaryas we attain the same benefit as our predecessors. If one follows the decisions of Arjuna, he should be considered to be directly hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- This long chain of disciplic succession was broken during the advent period of Lord Krsna (five thousand years ago), and for this reason Krsna restated the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna, thereby making him the first disciple of this knowledge in this age
- To make him (Arjuna) desireless the Lord preached the Bhagavad-gita, in which the ways of karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, hatha-yoga and also bhakti-yoga were explained
- To read Bhagavad-gita and try to understand how Arjuna understood it, and anyone following the footprints of Arjuna, he's mahajana
U
- Undoubtedly Bhagavad-gita was spoken by the Lord on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra just to encourage Arjuna to fight, and yet to complete the transcendental knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, the Lord instructed Uddhava
- Unless one is favored by a devotee, he cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Arjuna also confirms this in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 10.14): My Lord, it is very difficult to understand Your personality
W
- What Krsna says, you do that. Just like Arjuna. Arjuna was not willing to fight, but when he listened Bhagavad-gita from Krsna, then he agreed to fight
- While speaking to Arjuna about the importance of Bhagavad-gita, Krsna said, imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam vivasvan manave praha: (BG 4.1) This instruction was given to Vivasvan, the sun-god, who in turn instructed his son Manu
- Why specifically it (Bhagavad-gita) was spoken to Arjuna? The reply is, bhakto 'si - The only qualification is that you are My devotee. That's all