01/D.O.U.B.T

OBSERVING THE ARMIES ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE KURUKSETRA

The spiritual journey often starts with a doubt. Over the passage of our life, our friends, family, society and the media paint the perfect picture of ‘success’ and we subsequently build our future in determined pursuance of it. At a certain point, however, we begin to doubt whether that ‘perfect life’ is achievable or will actually make us happy. We begin to question the conventional goals, aspirations and measures of success that people unquestioningly follow. We wonder: Could there be some deeper purpose to life? While this initial doubt usually brings some uncertainty and confusion, it also brings us to the start of our spiritual journey. It is this very doubt that Arjuna expresses in Chapter One, at the onset of this sacred conversation.

D

Innumerable soldiers have assembled on the battlefield of Kuruksetra due to the selfish, deep-rooted aspirations of these two characters, hell-bent on usurping their cousins’ kingdom. Sitting in his palace, King Dhritarastra inquires about the latest events on the battlefield, while his son Duryodhana is busy firing up his army as it prepares for fratricidal war. Dhritarastra is physically blind, but he and his son are also blinded by greed, envy and material desire. When one’s mindset revolves around ‘I, me and mine’ engrossed in thoughts of selfish gain and material pleasure, then anxiety, frustration and disappointment are inevitable. Such materially entangled persons become oblivious to the ill-effects of their actions.

O

The conchshells resound, signifying the battle will soon commence, much like a referee’s whistle at the onset of a football match. The commentators study the scene and identify hidden signs in them. Despite Duryodhana’s boastful words, the ominous result of this confrontation is made clear from the onset. Too many signs indicate his inevitable defeat at the hands of the Pandavas. Those who stand on the side of purity and integrity always emerge victorious, regardless of whether the worldly odds are stacked against them. One who is a carrier of goodness and spirituality is never overcome by evil.

U

Despite his righteous and noble position, Arjuna develops an uncertainty, standing in uncomfortable opposition to his family and teachers. The chariots are readied, arrows are drawn, battle cries are sounded, but Arjuna remains hesitant. He then does the unthinkable! He tells Krishna to drive to the middle of the battlefield – not for strategic warfare purposes, but to step back, hit the pause button and reconsider life. It’s impossible to capture the sheer unexpectedness of Arjuna’s act! Despite being faced with practically every pressure under the sun to dive into action, Arjuna prioritises introspection. Some things are so important that it’s not about having time, it’s about making time.

B

Foreseeing the suffering and death that is the inevitable consequence of warfare, Arjuna begins to lose his composure. At this stage, bereft of broader spiritual vision, his uncertainty transforms into bewilderment, baffled as to what his next move should be. He is plunged into existential confusion. When one lacks an understanding of his spiritual identity, his relationship with God, and the fundamental purpose behind this world, one inevitably becomes confused and frustrated by events and experiences of life.

T

Arjuna looks for immediate relief, offering solid arguments to justify leaving the battlefield: 1) It would be cruel and heartless to prematurely terminate the lives of so many soldiers; 2) Even an unrivalled kingdom would bring no happiness, since he’d be bereft of his near and dear ones; 3) One would surely accrue bad karma as a result of such brutal violence; 4) The wholesale killing involved would destroy the family unit and social structure, wreaking havoc for future generations. His mind overwhelmed by grief, Arjuna sets aside his weapons and resolves not to fight. Though his points sound convincing, Krishna will soon impart timeless wisdom to seismically shift his paradigms.

“THE IMPORTANT THING IS NOT TO STOP QUESTIONING. CURIOSITY HAS ITS OWN REASONING FOR EXISTING” ~ ALBERT EINSTEIN