“O son of Pritha, do not yield to this degrading impotence. It does not become you. Give up such petty weakness of heart and arise, O chastiser of the enemy.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.3)

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क्ल‍ैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते
क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप

klaibyaṁ mā sma gamaḥ pārtha
naitat tvayy upapadyate
kṣudraṁ hṛdaya-daurbalyaṁ
tyaktvottiṣṭha paran-tapa

1. You are being so mean

“Wow. That is really not nice. I expected a little compassion out of you. After all, we have been friends for years. We go way back. You can obviously see that I am in distress. In a vulnerable state, I kindly presented my concerns before you. I am at a crossroads. This is a serious matter. Life and death are at stake. The least you can do is have a kind heart.”

2. It is as if you did not even hear me

“Did you even hear what I said? There are people I respect on the other side. We are looking at a bloodbath here. Not your typical military conflict. Many people will perish. It will be my fault, since I am the aggressor. I understand that I am only defending dharma, that it is the time to finally administer justice, but people will still blame me for everything. You have to know that is true. See things from my perspective, for a change.”

3. Do you know who I am?

“How dare you speak to me that way! I am seriously offended. I mean that. You are failing to show respect for my position within society. I am a celebrated bow-warrior. I have proven myself time and time again. Do you not remember the svayamvara of princess Draupadi? You should show a little respect. Those harsh words are unwarranted. I am a civilized human being. It is about time you begin treating me like an adult.”

4. You are being abusive

“This is a classic case of abuse. Is this how you treat all of your friends? You keep this up and the trauma will linger. The stinging words will leave a lasting imprint in my consciousness. I think you should get some help. Learn how to communicate more effectively. Become trained in what they call ‘empathic communication.’ Stop laughing; I am serious. With a little training, your message might resonate better. Because the kind of language you are using now is not helping matters.”

5. I am never talking to you again

“You are so mean. You don’t even apologize for it. I can’t believe I ever trusted you. Never again. I will forever give you the silent treatment. Well, of course, only after we have left the battlefield. I still need you to steer the chariot. You will stay in that role, won’t you? But after that, I swear, we are no longer friends. Find someone else to hang out with.”

…

Due to the rapidly degrading condition of society, basic and mostly harmless interactions that we took for granted several decades ago are now disappearing. Rather than exchange ideas and philosophies in a civil manner, with each side provided the opportunity to present their case, the mere heading to such a discussion can trigger a violent response:

“How dare you! You are a racist. How does it feel to be a fascist? I don’t have to listen to you. See me with my ears closed? Go away, monster! You are such a white supremacist it makes me sick. We will make sure you are cancelled from every platform. Then try spreading your hate.”

Fortunately, at the moment we still have access to some important historical works, preserved in the original medium. We could argue that nothing is of higher importance than the science of self-realization, which encompasses the life experience, from birth to death, and the meaning to the experience itself.

राज-विद्या राज-गुह्यं
पवित्रम् इदम् उत्तमम्
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं
सु-सुखं कर्तुम् अव्ययम्

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.2)

We have access to the Bhagavad-gita conversation that involves the disciple Arjuna and the teacher Krishna. Arjuna basically goes first. He presents his doubts. He has justifications for choosing a certain direction. At the same time, he is not really sure. He wants to run the proposal by his dear friend, who happens to be nearby, temporarily serving the role of chariot driver.

At the outset, Krishna does not mince words. With a smile on His beautiful, lotus-like face, Krishna mildly chastises the disciple. He wonders how such impurities could have arisen. After all, Arjuna is supposed to be arya. This is the culture Arjuna grew up in. Everything that Arjuna did was with the destination of heaven in mind, svarga-loka. Because of his heroism displayed in the past, Arjuna was always associated with kirti, which is fame of the positive kind.

Arjuna accepted these stinging words, which were delivered with the utmost kindness. It was compassion from Krishna to speak so openly with the disciple. The distressed was looking for answers. They wanted their confusion cleared. They did not want to be lied to or made to feel as if the wrong way were okay.

The conversation took on that nature due to the closeness of the relationship. In fact, every individual has the potential for the same relationship, as the same chariot driver is our constant companion. He is always accompanying us, birth after birth. He sits as if neutral, until we are wise enough to turn in His direction, asking for help, in the manner of Arjuna.

ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमस: परमुच्यते ।
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य विष्ठितम् ॥

jyotiṣām api taj jyotis
tamasaḥ param ucyate
jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyaṁ
hṛdi sarvasya viṣṭhitam

“He is the source of light in all luminous objects. He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested. He is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, and He is the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyone’s heart.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.18)

If we are so fortunate, Krishna or someone who thinks like Him, namely, His representative, will boldly correct our mistakes. Our flawed way of viewing the world, in misaligned priorities tied to temporary and unprofitable goals [anartha], will be highlighted in a clear and concise manner. We will understand, without doubts, the proper destination for the living being, who has the highest potential in reaching that destination when appearing within the auspicious human birth.

In Closing:

Thinking himself wise and smart,
When Arjuna conversation to start.

That plight of welfare of others taking,
With a bold proposal making.

But Krishna immediately to dispel,
With stinging words to tell.

That ideas not towards svarga bound,
Or anywhere in arya culture found.

Categories: the five

Tags: bhagavad-gita, counseling, friendship, god, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry