T. Subba Row

NOTES ON THE BAHGAVAD GITA

INTRODUCTORY

studying the Bhagavad Gita it must not be treated
as if isolated from the rest of the Mahabharata as
it at present exists. It was inserted by Vyasa in the
right place with special reference to some of the
incidents in that book.

One must first realise the real
position of Arjuna and Krishna in order to appreciate
the teaching of the latter. Among other appellations
Arjuna has one very strange name he is called at
different times by ten or eleven names, most of which
are explained by himself in Virataparva.

One name is omitted from the list, i. e., Nara. This
word simply means "man." But why a particular man
should be called by this as a proper name may at first sight
appear strange. Nevertheless herein lies a clue, which
enables us to understand not only the position of the
Bhagavad Gita in the text and its connexion with
Arjuna and Krishna, but the entire current running
through the whole of the Mahabharata, implying
Vyasa's real views of the origin, trials and destiny of man.
Vyasa looked upon Arjuna as man, or rather the real
monad in man; and upon Krishna as the Logos, or the
spirit that comes to save man. To some it appears
strange that this highly philosophical teaching should
have been inserted in a place apparently utterly unfitted
for it. The discourse is alleged to have taken place
between Arjuna and Krishna just before the battle...… (plus d'informations)