“O King, at that time Arjuna, the son of Pandu, who was seated in his chariot, his flag marked with Hanuman, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows, looking at the sons of Dhritarashtra. O King, Arjuna then spoke to Hrishikesha [Krishna] these words:” (Bhagavad-gita, 1.20)

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अथ व्यवस्थितान् दृष्ट्वा
धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपि-ध्वजः
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्र-सम्पाते
धनुर् उद्यम्य पाण्डवः
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यम्
इदम् आह मही-पते

atha vyavasthitān dṛṣṭvā
dhārtarāṣṭrān kapi-dhvajaḥ
pravṛtte śastra-sampāte
dhanur udyamya pāṇḍavaḥ
hṛṣīkeśaṁ tadā vākyam
idam āha mahī-pate

“Krishna is Janaradana. He is the maintainer of the people. He is Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He brings to the devotees what they lack and keeps what they have. He is everything and more. If you have Him in your corner, then you do not need anything else. He is already in that position; He wishes well for everyone.

“That same Krishna was steering the chariot for Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. You could not ask for anything more. You knew that Arjuna was safe, secure, protected, and destined for triumph based simply on the close proximity, both in physical distance and the ability to consult Krishna.

“Why, then, would Arjuna need to fly a flag bearing the mark of Hanuman? Why was this one of the decorations to the chariot? Why should Arjuna receive additional assistance? After all, from but a spark of His splendor, Krishna creates and maintains this entire cosmic manifestation.”

यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोऽशसम्भवम्

yad yad vibhūtimat sattvaṁ
śrīmad ūrjitam eva vā
tat tad evāvagaccha tvaṁ
mama tejo-’ṁśa-sambhavam

“Know that all beautiful, glorious, and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.41)

This is sort of like asking why a child requires two parents. If the father is already around, still alive, vibrant, and capable, why is there a mother? In the opposite way, if the mother is there to provide guidance, to nurture, to comfort, and to control, what use is there for the father? Why would nature automatically supply two people who are to be respected as guru, due to their authority and the wisdom they can pass on?

We could extend the questions further. When the parents are no longer around, the siblings offer support. The eldest son is something like the representative of the father. The three younger brothers to Shri Rama could all be addressed by the name Ramanuja. They were dutiful followers of Rama. With the untimely passing of the father, King Dasharatha, Rama essentially became the father. Queen Sumitra advised her beloved son, Lakshmana, to view Sita and Rama as his parents while roaming the forest. Rama was the elder brother to Lakshmana. Sita is Rama’s wife.

There is no harm in accepting additional support. Arjuna had Krishna with him. That was certainly enough. The assistance offered was sufficient to not only proceed properly in the upcoming conflict, but to also navigate the difficulties of the life experience.

For instance, if we know that everyone will eventually die, we might wonder why there is birth in the first place. I loved my parents so much. I treasured their association. I spent as much time with them as I could. I knew that they would one day pass. Still, now that the reality has manifested, I am devastated. I will forever have a void in my life, a hole in my heart. No one can replace them.

Krishna explains such mysteries and more in His conversation with Arjuna. It is told that destiny is already set. The Divine will simply has to manifest, in the passage of time. Arjuna can choose to act as but an instrument of that destiny.

तस्मात् त्वम् उत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व
जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्
मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वम् एव
निमित्त-मात्रं भव सव्य-साचिन्

tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva
jitvā śatrūn bhuṅkṣva rājyaṁ samṛddham
mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva
nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sācin

“Therefore get up and prepare to fight. After conquering your enemies you will enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasachin, can be but an instrument in the fight.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.33)

Even with such support, there is the flag of Hanuman seen on the chariot. Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Shri Rama, who is non-different from Krishna. Hanuman chooses to offer support. He is known for victory in devotion. Arjuna kindly accepts that support. If you are ever in trouble, there is nothing wrong with remembering Hanuman. Looking to his flag can uplift spirits in a matter of seconds.

In Closing:

Dreaded news to receive,
Now extended days to grieve.

Devastated by that loss undone,
But known that one day to come.

In this troubling moment of time,
Support and strength to find.

In image of that flag flying,
On Hanuman always relying.

Categories: questions

Tags: bhagavad-gita, dailyprompt, hanuman, poem, poems, poetry