Interpreting the Gita

[Swami Tyagananda]

I feel a careful study of the Gita makes it pretty obvious that
Krishna's  purpose was not really to teach Arjuna how to fight the war but
what Arjuna's "duty" was at that time and how he should carry out his
"duty." In the historical context, it so happened that at that time
Arjuna's duty was to fight for a just and righteous cause.
         If Gita taught war, it would have no relevance to most of us today
who are unlikely to go and fight a war. But generations of practitioners
can testify to its continued relevance and importance in showing us a way
when we are confused about the nature of our duty and the best way of
carrying it out. That, at least, is my understanding of the Gita.
         A much respected commentary on the Gita in Marathi is titled
Karma-rahasya ("The Secret of Work"). It was written at the beginning of
the last century by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
         Best wishes,
         Swami Tyagananda
         Vedanta Society
         Boston

>Bhadraiah Mallampalli wrote:
>
> > pANDavAs won bhArata kingdom when they were outnumbered by 18:11. The
> > pacifism of Buddha emasculated the armies and India lost its identity, and
> > by the time Sankara brought back gIta it was too late. The invaders already
> > got enough momentum to maintain technological lead in cannon
> technology, gun
> > powder etc. Hopefully gIta will again help in future :-)

Dmitri Semenov wrote:


>I meant a historic event that might be verified.
>And it should be in the context of civil war. Not just any war.
>The problem Arjuna was advised on was who to fight in civil war.
>And that is a lot different from fighting war with foreigners.