Bhagvad Geeta – Chapter 1, Verses 16, 17, 18
Bhagvad Geeta – Chapter 1, Verses 16, 17, 18
TRANSLATION
TRANSLATION
King Yudhishtira, the eldest son of Kunti blew his conch shell named Anantavijaya. Nakul and Sahdeva blew Sughosh and Manipushpak respectively. The King of Kashi, great warriors like Shikhandi, Dhrishtdhyumna, Virat, and Satyaki blew theirs. They were joined by Drupada, the five sons of Draupadi, Abhimanyu, the mighty son of Subhadra, all blew their shells, O ruler of the Earth.
King Yudhishtira, the eldest son of Kunti blew his conch shell named Anantavijaya. Nakul and Sahdeva blew Sughosh and Manipushpak respectively. The King of Kashi, great warriors like Shikhandi, Dhrishtdhyumna, Virat, and Satyaki blew theirs. They were joined by Drupada, the five sons of Draupadi, Abhimanyu, the mighty son of Subhadra, all blew their shells, O ruler of the Earth.
PARAPHRASE
PARAPHRASE
In these three verses of the Bhagvad Geeta, Sanjaya uses the title of ‘king’ for Yudhishtira, the son of Kunti. He does so because Yudhishtira not only was meant to be the king but had the grace and nobility for the same. Whether in the palace or in exile, he was often referred to as king by the people. This is also because Yudhishtira had performed the Rajasuya Yajna. This royal sacrifice eventually earned him the title of Samraat or the ‘King of Kings.’
Sanjaya then recites the names of all the warriors in the Pandavas army to remind Dhritrashtra of the cost of this war. By mentioning the names of these mighty warriors, he tries to remind him of the kingdoms involved in the conflict indirectly. He also refers to him as the ‘ruler of the Earth.’ Sanjaya was firmly trying to bring sense to the King of Hastinapur because he was the only one who could stop this catastrophic mammoth of a war.
In these three verses of the Bhagvad Geeta, Sanjaya uses the title of ‘king’ for Yudhishtira, the son of Kunti. He does so because Yudhishtira not only was meant to be the king but had the grace and nobility for the same. Whether in the palace or in exile, he was often referred to as king by the people. This is also because Yudhishtira had performed the Rajasuya Yajna. This royal sacrifice eventually earned him the title of Samraat or the ‘King of Kings.’
Sanjaya then recites the names of all the warriors in the Pandavas army to remind Dhritrashtra of the cost of this war. By mentioning the names of these mighty warriors, he tries to remind him of the kingdoms involved in the conflict indirectly. He also refers to him as the ‘ruler of the Earth.’ Sanjaya was firmly trying to bring sense to the King of Hastinapur because he was the only one who could stop this catastrophic mammoth of a war.
Lessons from the Wisdom of the Bhagvad Geeta
Lessons from the Wisdom of the Bhagvad Geeta
The above-mentioned three verses of the Bhagvad Geeta show the concern of Sanjaya behind reciting the names of the warriors. It is interesting to see how a page is trying to convince his king, who is unable to see things clearly. It is the king’s duty to place the interests of his subjects before anything. Dhritrashtra, on the other hand, was blinded by his insatiable greed and love for his wicked sons. Therefore, through these verses, we can understand that leaders shouldn’t be driven by selfish interests. Leaders should make it their sole purpose ‘to lead’ the organization, country, community, or religion not to their doom but towards growth.
The above-mentioned three verses of the Bhagvad Geeta show the concern of Sanjaya behind reciting the names of the warriors. It is interesting to see how a page is trying to convince his king, who is unable to see things clearly. It is the king’s duty to place the interests of his subjects before anything. Dhritrashtra, on the other hand, was blinded by his insatiable greed and love for his wicked sons. Therefore, through these verses, we can understand that leaders shouldn’t be driven by selfish interests. Leaders should make it their sole purpose ‘to lead’ the organization, country, community, or religion not to their doom but towards growth.
Difference Between a Leader and a Dictator
Leadership is a quality infested by few. Leadership is a responsibility bestowed upon those with broad shoulders. An exceptional leader can lead his subjects to glory and victory, as did Mahatma Gandhi in India’s struggle for freedom, or is being done by Prime Minister Modi to establish India as the world leader. On the contrary, a bad leader can doom not only their subjects but also others, as was done by Hitler, who drew the whole world into war and destruction.
From all such examples, whether from the ancient era, medieval era, or the modern era. It is evident enough that no matter what the consequences are, in the end, it is always the leaders who are to blame or credit. Not only the consequences but leaders are also held accountable for the well-being of their subjects. It is also evident that true leaders aren’t motivated by selfish gains, and if they do, then certainly the followers are doomed. A selfless leader is motivated not by personal gains but by the greater good. And this is where a thin line is drawn between a leader and a dictator.
Leadership is a quality infested by few. Leadership is a responsibility bestowed upon those with broad shoulders. An exceptional leader can lead his subjects to glory and victory, as did Mahatma Gandhi in India’s struggle for freedom, or is being done by Prime Minister Modi to establish India as the world leader. On the contrary, a bad leader can doom not only their subjects but also others, as was done by Hitler, who drew the whole world into war and destruction.
From all such examples, whether from the ancient era, medieval era, or the modern era. It is evident enough that no matter what the consequences are, in the end, it is always the leaders who are to blame or credit. Not only the consequences but leaders are also held accountable for the well-being of their subjects. It is also evident that true leaders aren’t motivated by selfish gains, and if they do, then certainly the followers are doomed. A selfless leader is motivated not by personal gains but by the greater good. And this is where a thin line is drawn between a leader and a dictator.
