Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Chapter 1 shlok 47

Arjuna’s reluctance to engage in the war had now reached its zenith. He found himself engulfed in profound dejection, a surrender to the weight of his own attachments, leading to a dereliction of his duty. This unexpected behavior was particularly striking given Arjuna’s reputation as the epitome of devotion and self-surrender to God. Prior to the battle, when both factions were assembling their armies, Arjuna had the choice between the entire armed Yadu army and the unarmed Lord Shree Krishna. Astonishingly, Arjuna chose the latter, showcasing his unwavering faith in the divine.

To understand Arjuna’s predicament, it is crucial to delve into his background. Arjuna was no stranger to spiritual knowledge; he was the celestial son of Indra, the king of heaven. Having visited the heavenly abode, he received numerous boons from celestial beings. In his previous life, Arjuna was Nar, part of the Nar-Narayan duo, where Nar represented the perfected soul immersed in transcendental knowledge and Narayan symbolized the Supreme Lord. Given this illustrious lineage and spiritual foundation, the question arises: why, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, did this formidable warrior, with such a rich spiritual heritage, contemplate abandoning his weapons? What was the root cause of his distress?

In the grand tapestry of cosmic design, Lord Shree Krishna sought to disseminate the timeless wisdom encapsulated in the Bhagavad Gita for the benefit of future generations. By intentionally confounding Arjuna, the Lord orchestrated this opportune moment. In this chapter, Arjuna presented several arguments and justifications to the Lord, expressing why he was reluctant to participate in the war. In the subsequent chapters, Shree Krishna meticulously addressed and dismantled each of Arjuna’s concerns, providing profound insights and guiding him towards a path of righteous action.