GITA 1.13

GITA 1.13

According to a sloka, it is said that Sri Krishna gave the essence of Vedas and Upanishads, in Gita. That makes Gita special. Even though is is set in Sanskrit, there are many scholars who have made it in Tamil for the Tamil knowing learners. Sri Ramanuja made bhashyam (commentary) in Sanskrit. Sri Vedanta Desika wrote Tatparya Chandrika in Sanskrit. All these have been rendered in Tamil for enjoyment of Tamil knowing people. On the basis of these we are looking at the slokas in Gita. Today we will have to see sloka 14. There are numerous, supreme opinions found in Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas. How do we obtain them? Sri Krishns appeared in this World and gave these supreme notions through Gita. As an Acharya, He preaches these to His disciple Arjuna. We have seen many teachers in this World. But here only we see the Supreme Deity preaching as Acharya. In that sloka 14:

tatah svetair hayair yukte

mahati syandane sthitau

madhavah pandavas caiva

divyau sankhau pradadhmatuh

On the other side, both Lord Krsna and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells.

This sloka tells that Pandava (here it is Arjuna) and Madhava (Sri Krishna) sitting in their great chariot, blew conchs. Tatah= thereafter, that is after Duryodana spoke to Drona and after Bheeshma blew his conch to encourage Duryodana and after all others raised noises from various instruments like conchs, drums, trumpets and horns, Sri Krishna and Arjuna blew their conchs. By mentioning there after, it is inferred that both Arjuna and Sri Krishna remained silent like a full pot. The enemy had proclaimed that they were ready for the fight. Thereafter, if they remained silent it would mean cowardice and so they made sounds. Svetair hayair yukte = drawn by white horses, mahati syandane = in great chariot, sthitau = both stationed. White horses drawn chariot. It seems Arjuna also liked to dress in white robes. Imagine the battlefield of Kurukshetra, with infantry, horses, elephants, chariots, etc., lined up and amidst them a white chariot pulled by white horses. In that, sky blue hued Sri Krishna is seated as Charioteer. With Arjuna also in white dress, the scene is exciting! The enemy will be defeated by this sight alone! 

We should compare our body as the chariot. Here also the God drives the chariot. He drives it to victory. Like Arjuna in that chariot, here our atman is in the body. So, this atman sitting in this body as chariot, is driven by Paramatman as Charioteer, and should reach Vaikuntam. 

The greatness of this chariot is that even if an amateur sits in it and enters battlefield, he would win! There are some weapons which will destroy enemies, even if one did not know how to wield them. Likewise, Sri Krishna and Arjuna are seated in a famous chariot. Madhavah pandavas caiva = Madhava (Sri Krishna) and Pandava (Arjuna), divyau shankhau = glorious conchs, Their conchs were not just earthly but deific. Both the conchs were without equals. Pradadhmatuh = made sounds or blew. 

There are two persons in the chariot. Similarly, in our body there are atman and Paramatman. In this sloka why name Madhava is mentioned first and then only Pandava? Why not the other way? Because all atman are followers or servants of Paramatman and so this order. Another reason is also there. What is the meaning of Madhava? "Ma" means the Mother, Sri Lakshmi. "Dhava" means Her husband or associate or lover. We call Her, 'Tiru' in Tamil. Why should the name Madhava be used here? Why not Kesava or any other name? Because when once She has envisioned them, was there any doubt about their victory? There was no need to fight to decide victory. When Sri Madhava is seated, the Divine Vision of Sri Lakshmi had graced the chariot and Pandava. So there could be no doubt about victory. In fact towards end of Gita it is going to be told that wherever Sri Krishna is and wherever Arjuna is, there is Sri Lakshmi and so victory is assured. Therefore, if we can get Her grace, we can be sure of victory everywhere. 

In this chariot both Arjuna and Sri Krishna are there. Of these two, who has greatness? Sri Krishna as Charioteer is seated in the front. Bur Arjuna as the owner of the chariot is at the back. Thus from different angles, greatness belongs to both. Sri Krishna used to play rasakreeta. Sri Krishna and a gopika alternate in a circle. That is, between Two Sri Krishnas one gopika and between two gopikas, one Sri Krishna stand and dance together in a circle, putting each others hands on shoulders of the other. This is called rasakreeta. Sri Krishna is interested in dancing. We may think that there were many gopikas and only one Sri Krishna. But Sri Krishna manifested Himself in many forms and danced. In this dance who was important? Gopika or Sri Krishna? If we consider Two Sri Krishnas with one Gopika, Gopika is important. But if we consider two gopikas with one Sri Krishna, Sri Krishna was important. Likewise, here also if we see the seating priority, Sri Krishna was in the front and so great. But if we consider ownership, Arjuna was great! 

Alwar Tirunagari is one of the Nava Tirupatis in Tirunrlveli district of Tamilnadu state. There the temple administration is called Alwar Adinathan Devastanam. Thus both Alwar and the Lord Sri Adinathan are important. Similarly, here also both Arjuna and Sri Krishna are important. Though, Sri Krishna is the Supreme Being, He had given Arjuna a position to make him also look important. If we go to Him as His servant, He does not treat us as servant but equal to Him. No, He puts His devotees on a higher pedestal!

                                                                            (continued)