Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 - Lesson 8 of 14

INTRODUCTION

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The truth is that Arjuna is not in control. He has no clue about what is happening to him and around him. He is in the presence of a primal force, before which all that is obvious is his own insignificance. Victory and defeat seem to make no difference. The vision of destruction implies that he too is mortal. Arjuna is terrified.

Death is the ultimate fear.

Even the great warrior Arjuna trembles when faced with death. It is not that Arjuna is not aware of the inevitability of death or the nature of death.

Yet Arjuna is petrified. What is Arjuna so afraid of?

One thing, Arjuna does not expect the cosmic form of Krsna to be anything but loving and compassionate.

Krsna can be the friend, the master, the
beloved, the child, the mother, and all
combined.

In every one of these moods, in each bhava, Krsna is still lovable, still reachable.

[Figure: Peacock feather]

© 2020 Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam. All Rights Reserved However, in the form that Krsna has presented now, the all-devouring monster as it were, Arjuna is unable to comprehend any aspect of Krsna that he has known. For the first time, Arjuna realizes that the master cannot be predicted! The primal energy that the master is, has to be experienced in whatever manner it is presented, without expectations and fears. It is so easy to fall in love with a handsome master.

Arjuna looking bewildered while listening to Krsna

Krsna is the most beautiful of all the gods. He is so easy to fall in love with! To fall in love with a terrifying Kali or an impassive Siva is far more difficult. But anyone can love Krsna, and everyone does. No one expects Krsna to be terrifying.

So when Krsna presents another form to Arjuna, the ground literally slips from under Arjuna's feet. He has no support. He does not know where to turn for help. So Arjuna pleads, 'Please have mercy upon me. Tell me who You are. Tell me why You are here. I would like to know. I bow down to You.'

GOALS:

To understand how fear can
create a barrier between us and
the Divine

ASSESSMENTS

1. Why is Arjuna so terrified?

2. Why does Arjuna feel like he is not in control?

3. Why do you think
death is considered an
ultimate fear?

A portrait of a person in yellow clothing wearing a turban and pearl necklaces, surrounded by a floral arrangement

ART OF THE DAY

ART OF THE DAY:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Pencil,

colours paper

PROCEDURE

Encourage the children to draw the cosmos.

INFERENCE

Arjuna sees the cosmic form of Krsna

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY: AiR DRAWING

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Pen, pencil, chalk paper

PROCEDURE:

Encourage the children to use pen or chalk and draw a picture in the air. Then ask them to draw the picture on paper or on the board.

INFERENCE:

The primal energy that the master is, has to be experienced in whatever manner it is presented,

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY: VAAKYARTHA SADHAS

Explanation:

Topic for discussion is "Arjuna realizes that the master cannot be predicted!" Encourage the children to discuss

What did Arjuna expect from Krsna ?

What do they expect from Krsna ?

How do they relate with the Krsna they heard about today: the cosmic, primal energy?

Illustration of a person playing a flute

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY:

VAAKYARTHA SADHAS

Explanation:

What do they feel about Arjuna when he says, 'Tell me who You are. I bow down to You.'?

Help them understand that even when Arjuna is terrified he asks to know more, and he doesn't run away and hide.

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY: VAAKYARTHA SADHAS

Conclusion: In his heart he knows that what he is about to do is correct. But when faced with the reality , Arjuna loses his will. Why? Arjuna was afraid. Only a courageous person will have the confidence to open himself up so transparently and expose his innermost fears and seek help. Arjuna is courageous.