Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 1, Verse 24
Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 1, Verse 24
TRANSLATION
TRANSLATION
Sanjaya Said –
O descendent of Bharata, having thus been addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna drew up the fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties.
Sanjaya Said –
O descendent of Bharata, having thus been addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna drew up the fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties.
PARAPHRASE
PARAPHRASE
Arjuna is called Gudakesha, meaning the one who has conquered the sleep. Sleep is often used as a metaphor for ignorance. Arjuna, with his devotion to Krishna, was able to win over his sleep and ignorance. It also reflects that by nature, a devotee is never forgetful of Krishna either in waking or in sleep. The one who devotes their life to Krishna is in constant remembrance of His name, form, qualities, and pastimes. This is termed Krishna Consciousness.
The term Hrishikesh here is used again in this context to denote that He is the director of the senses and mind of a living entity. Krishna is the sole regulator and knower of our senses. Therefore, He understood Arjuna’s purpose behind his request to place the chariot amid the armies.
Arjuna is called Gudakesha, meaning the one who has conquered the sleep. Sleep is often used as a metaphor for ignorance. Arjuna, with his devotion to Krishna, was able to win over his sleep and ignorance. It also reflects that by nature, a devotee is never forgetful of Krishna either in waking or in sleep. The one who devotes their life to Krishna is in constant remembrance of His name, form, qualities, and pastimes. This is termed Krishna Consciousness.
The term Hrishikesh here is used again in this context to denote that He is the director of the senses and mind of a living entity. Krishna is the sole regulator and knower of our senses. Therefore, He understood Arjuna’s purpose behind his request to place the chariot amid the armies.
Krishna Consciousness – Interpretations From Gita
Krishna Consciousness – Interpretations From Gita
In the pursuit of material knowledge, we have come so far that we are now gradually becoming ignorant of transcendental knowledge. The limited scientific knowledge of the world has been extremely rewarding. So much so that we simply ignore its shortcomings. Perhaps the reason why human values and ethics are diminishing is that we are convinced that we are nothing but a biological machine in terms of Science.
When we willingly become ignorant of our own nature then we are said to be sleeping. The knowledge of the self or of our true nature is certainly beyond the horizons of the material sciences. Not everything in this world can be reasoned with intelligence and instinct. Some things are felt with our human intuition. For instance, our intelligence can define our body stature but to understand what actually makes us human, we ought to go beyond intelligence.
In the pursuit of material knowledge, we have come so far that we are now gradually becoming ignorant of transcendental knowledge. The limited scientific knowledge of the world has been extremely rewarding. So much so that we simply ignore its shortcomings. Perhaps the reason why human values and ethics are diminishing is that we are convinced that we are nothing but a biological machine in terms of Science.
When we willingly become ignorant of our own nature then we are said to be sleeping. The knowledge of the self or of our true nature is certainly beyond the horizons of the material sciences. Not everything in this world can be reasoned with intelligence and instinct. Some things are felt with our human intuition. For instance, our intelligence can define our body stature but to understand what actually makes us human, we ought to go beyond intelligence.
The question then arises.
What can be done to awaken to the truth of the self?
The Bhagavad Gita talks about the Krishna Consciousness. A person in the constant realization of this level of consciousness can become aware of his own nature. While in theistic realism, this consciousness is a synonym for the lord of all senses present within us. However, in non-secular terms, it is nothing but our innate abilities to know the truth, uphold righteousness, and disposition to compassion.
When we come to the realization of these capabilities, we begin to understand that we aren’t just our bodies. We are more than that. We are just ignorant of our true nature.
The question then arises.
What can be done to awaken to the truth of the self?
The Bhagavad Gita talks about the Krishna Consciousness. A person in the constant realization of this level of consciousness can become aware of his own nature. While in theistic realism, this consciousness is a synonym for the lord of all senses present within us. However, in non-secular terms, it is nothing but our innate abilities to know the truth, uphold righteousness, and disposition to compassion.
When we come to the realization of these capabilities, we begin to understand that we aren’t just our bodies. We are more than that. We are just ignorant of our true nature.
