Page 85 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol III

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Selection from the Bhagavad Gita

The best-known of the Hindu religious texts, the 26 Then Partha (Arjuna) saw there in both armies
Bhagavad Gita has profound significance in Hin- arrayed grandfathers, fathers-in-law, uncles, brothers
duism. In the extract below, Sanjaya, the charioteer, and cousins, his own sons and their sons and grand-
relates the words of Arjuna, a warrior. sons, comrades, teachers and friends.

Sanjaya said: 27 Then he, the son of Kunti (Arjuna), seeing all
his kinsmen stationed in their ranks, spoke thus sor-
20 Then, O Lord of the Earth! the son of Pandu
rowfully, overwhelmed with deep compassion:
(Arjuna), whose ensign was the monkey, seeing Dhri-
tarashtra’s army arrayed and the throwing of weapons
Arjuna said:
about to begin, raised his bow and spoke the follow-
ing words to Krishna: 28 Krishna, seeing these my kinsmen, gathered
here desirous to fight, my limbs fail me, my mouth is
Arjuna said:
parched;
21–23 O Achyuta (changeless, Krishna), place my
29 My body shivers, my hand stands on end,
chariot between the two armies desirous of battle, so
my Gandiva (bow) slips from my hand, my skin is
that I may see with whom I have to fight in this out-
burning.
break of war, for I desire to observe those who are
assembled here for battle wishing to please the evil- 30 O Keshava (Krishna, the slayer of Keshi), I
minded son of Dhritarashtra by taking his side. am not able to stand upright, my mind is in a whirl
and I see adverse omens.
Sanjaya said:
31 O Krishna, neither do I see any good in slay-
24–25 O King! Requested thus by Gudakesha
ing my own people in this strife. I desire neither vic-
(Arjuna), Krishna, having placed the war chariot
tory, nor kingdom, nor pleasures.
between the two armies in front of Bhishma, Drona
and all the rulers of the earth, spoke thus: O son of 32–34 Teachers, uncles, sons and grandsons, grand-
Pritha (Arjuna), behold all the Kuru forces gathered fathers, fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, besides other
together. kinsmen, for whose sake empire, enjoyment and

the country into a holy land, where gods dwell among also important sources of Hindu religion: many Hindus
humans. consider the Bhagavad Gita, a section of the Mahab-
harata, to be an epitome of their religion. The Puranas,
Scriptures which are Bible-like sacred books, are widely read by
Hindu scriptures have come down through the ages in Hindus from all classes. Texts such as the Vaisnava
two major streams: the Vedas and the Agamas.The Vedas Samhitas, Saiva Agamas, and Shakta Tantras are consid-
are the literature of the religious professionals, to be ered to be divinely revealed by the followers of specific
memorized and recited by Brahmans only. They com- worship traditions. They contain creation narratives,
prise the four Samhitas (collections of hymns: Rig Veda, genealogies of kings and patriarchs, myths of gods and
Sama Veda,Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda), a large num- goddesses, edifying stories, and eschatological lore. Based
ber of Brahmanas (ritual texts), the Aranyakas (forest on these texts, poets and playwrights such as Kalidasa
treatises) and Upanishads (mystical writings). The Aga- (flourished fifth century CE) and Bana (seventh century
mas are the sacred literature of the people at large. The CE) produced dramatic literature of a high order in
great epics—the Ramayana and the Mahabharata—are Sanskrit. Poet-saints such as Tulasidasaand Kambha