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Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita verses 19-23

Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita verses 19-23

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm by Ambaa Choate

Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita verses 19-23 2015-03-13T22:30:13-04:00 Ambaa Choate

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We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages. This is the fourth post on The Bhagavad Gita.

From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita…

19. The noise burst asunder
The hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra,
And the tumult caused
The sky and the earth to resound.

20. Then, Arjuna, having seen the sons of Dhritarashtra
Drawn up in battle array,
Raised his bow as the clash of weapons began.

21. Arjuna then spoke these words to Krishna:
O Lord of the earth,
Cause my chariot to stand in the middle
Between the two armies, Imperishable One,

22. Until I behold these warriors,
Battle-hungry and arrayed.
With whom must I fight
In undertaking thus battle?

23. I behold those who are about to give battle,
Having come together here,
Wishing to do service in warfare
For the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana).

Despite their higher numbers, it sounds like the Kaurava are nervous, their hearts “burst, tore, rent” by the sound of the conchs.

In verse twenty, Arjuna is actually referred to as the “Monkey Bannered.” The text explains that his standard was a monkey flag and suggests a connection with Hanuman and Rama (another incarnation of the same God as Krishna).

In verse 21, “Imperishable One” is <em>acyuta</em>, which is also possibly translated as unchanging, unshaken, not fallen, and firm.

Verse 22 is definitely confusing me. I don’t understand the second sentence, so I looked up some other translations:

“Arjuna said: O Krishna please place my chariot between both of the armies so that I may look upon those warriors arrayed for battle with whom I have to fight in preparation for combat.” –http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-01-19.html

That’s making more sense to me. In preparation for combat, Arjuna wants to look upon all the warriors hungry for battle. Here’s another translation:

“Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see those present here, who desire to fight, and with whom I must contend in this great trial of arms.” –http://bhagvadgitaa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bhagavad-gita-chapter-1-verses-21-22.html

This is the real moment when the Gita is about to begin in earnest. Arjuna rides between these two vast armies, the earth shaking with the sound of battle and he is just about to question the purpose of his actions. By next week we should see Arjuna’s full despair and from that despair, he is ready to hear and understand what Krishna has to teach him. As someone pointed out in Sai Baba discussion group this week, Arjuna has known Krishna his entire life. Krishna has always been a family friend. Yet it is not until now that he actually receives this teaching. Perhaps because it is in moments of despair that we are most motivated to find the peace that the Truth can bring us.

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