Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Summary

182 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: The Bhagavad gita

Reflecting on the Bhagavad Gita, the passages seem to be contradicting. Arjuna seems to have no idea what to do in the face of the enemy. In the 1st chapter he does not want to engage in fighting. The idea of killing brothers, fathers, uncles, etc., bothered Arjuna immensely. To quote, "These I do not want to kill even though they should kill me, O Madhusudana, not even for domination over these 3 words, how much less just for this earth!" (Passage 35)

The reluctance to engage in battle is evident in the first chapter. However, he seeks guidance from O Madhusudana. Arjuna is split between pity and duty, stated in passage 7 Chapter 2, "My very being is overwhelmed with the weakness of pity and my mind is puzzled by duty (Dharma). I appeal

Show More
Related

  • The Kite Runner Hero's Journey Essay

    1674 Words  | 4 Pages

    (20). Amir first refuses the call of action due to being afraid of the adventure ahead of him. Call to action is the very first step of the hero's journey, where the hero is disrupted and the At the beginning he did not posses any heroic qualities, but by taking and accepting the first step of the passage he was able to rediscover his true potential. I believe that Amir came looking to redeem his past mistakes belated, however, he found an alternative way to put himself to peace with his past. I learned that we should stand up for who we are and what we believe to be true.

    Read More

  • Contrasting Leadership Styles: Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    The philosopher foreshadows, “Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself” (verse 30, p. 26). Once war is provoked, the peace is broken because it is impossible for violence to end well. Also, while placing his faith in the fact that decent men should find a more cordial, harmonious path to resolving conflicts, Lao-Tzu trusts his instincts and his decision to be the right one. In the next verse, he discusses, “His enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.” How could one possibly be content if their leader were to rejoice in news of battle, and of bloodshed? Lao-Tzu deplores having to enter war, but if he must, he does so with sorrow and compassion. Machiavelli, on the other hand, believes the ability of commanding and being apart of war is

    Read More

  • Understanding Life: Perspectives from Socrates to Bhagavad Gita

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Socrates, “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” To include, Proverbs, 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Bible). In like manner, throughout the sacred text of Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, has a difficult time understanding life and does not want to partake in his natural-born duty as a warrior. On the other hand, Bhagavad Gita, means, “Song of the Blessed One”, and it is based on Hinduism. Hinduism is a well-known religion and The Bhagavad Gita is based on its ancient principles. However, although the sacred text of Bhadgavad

    Read More

  • Bhagavad Gita And The Analects

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hinduism focuses on liberation from the realm of samsara, the cycle of rebirth and death, while Confucianism focuses on the Dao, the correct way to act for society, and ren, or benevolence. Both religions have religious texts that reflect these ideals, the Bhagavad-Gita belonging to Hinduism, and the Analects belonging to Confucianism. While these two texts originate from two distinct religions, the two have some similarities and differences. Both the Bhagavad-Gita and the Analects address the proper way for one to act; however, they differ when it comes to heaven and the main concern of each text. The main concern of the Bhagavad-Gita is a personal journey, achieving moksa through devotion to Brahman, and the main concern of the Analects is a communal journey, maintaining social propriety through the five relationships.

    Read More

  • The Historical Context of The Bhagavad Gita and Its Relation to Indian Religious Doctrines

    2504 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Bhagavad Gita is perhaps the most famous, and definitely the most widely-read, ethical text of ancient India. As an episode in India's great epic, the Mahabharata, The Bhagavad Gita now ranks as one of the three principal texts that define and capture the essence of Hinduism; the other two being the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras. Though this work contains much theology, its kernel is ethical and its teaching is set in the context of an ethical problem. The teaching of The Bhagavad Gita is summed up in the maxim "your business is with the deed and not with the result." When Arjuna, the third son of king Pandu (dynasty name: Pandavas) is about to begin a war that became inevitable once his one hundred cousins belonging to the Kaurava dynasty refused to return even a few villages to the five Pandava brothers after their return from enforced exile, he looks at his cousins, uncles and friends standing on the other side of the battlefield and wonders whether he is morally prepared and justified in killing his blood relations even though it was he, along with his brother Bhima, who had courageously prepared for this war. Arjuna is certain that he would be victorious in this war since he has Lord Krishna (one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu) on his side. He is able to visualize the scene at the end of the battle; the dead bodies of his cousins lying on the battlefield, motionless and incapable of vengeance. It is then that he looses his nerve to fight.

    Read More

  • Bhagavad Gita

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    Arjuna gives up now, he will be full of shame, and a man who has given up

    Read More

  • Chapter Summary Of The Great Gatsby

    2751 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...us parties were typical of the optimistic mood that prevailed in American in the 1920’s. People were euphoric in the post war period. Everything was extravagant and over the top. But such euphoria can only result in a huge collapse. The warning signs were all in place for the great fall: the prohibition of the sale of alcohol which led to illegal practices, unregulated economic activities and a general feeling of being invincible.

    Read More

  • The Iliad: Achilles' Rage

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...Achilles enraged? His rage is a personal choice. He decides to confront Agamemnon. He decides to withdraw from the war. He decides to join the war after Patroclus' death. However, the gods do their parts in making sure that his destiny is carried out. Thetis has new armor made for him and encourages him to fight. Apollo taunts him. Athena intervenes, first to make sure he does not kill Agamemnon and then later to make sure that he does kill Hector. Zeus weighs his fate. Rage is the spawn of many emotions. Injustice, jealousy, un-holiness, revenge, and heartbreak are emotions that sparked Achilles' rage. Homer's tale, the Iliad, shows how Achilles' rage is his destiny.

    Read More

  • Bhagavad Gita And Confucius Analects: An Analysis

    1105 Words  | 3 Pages

    A large amount of ancient texts contain themes relating to violence, power, and war, while others, such as The Bhagavad Gita and Confucius’ Analects, focus on individual and collective development through a series of selfless acts. The two texts provide an in-depth system of duties and learning created to provide direction for the betterment of the self, as well as society as a whole. The Bhagavad Gita places a greater focus on the duties of individuals that must be fulfilled to achieve an enlightened state with the divine forces. Contradictory consequences are presented for those who choose to act in an egotistical manner and deny their duties. Confucius’ Analects, on the other hand, places its main focus on collective development and responsibility

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Goin Gangta, Cholita By Nell Bernstein

    121 Words  | 1 Pages

    In "Goin’ Gangsta, Choosin’ Cholita," Nell Bernstein argues that some young people claims racial and ethnic identities other than their own, which is a nice thing in motivating diversity in our community. People tend to do that because they are influenced by music and television, that contains interracial interaction and cultural diversity. After that, these people start to imitate the culture that they are affected with. As the days pass, Bernstein mentions that the suburbs and small towns are becoming more diverse and multiracial, which inspired most people, who inhabit in these areas, with city life and claiming other racial identities. Finally, Bernstein believes that being who you want to be is the most significant goal and aim in

    Read More

  • Red Badge Of Courage

    2140 Words  | 5 Pages

    He then thinks what his reaction to fighting in battle will be. A flashback to when he first enlisted against his mother’s wishes occurs. He remembers fantasies of glorious and bloody wars of times past. Henry thinks that war is a courageous adventure. This transports us to a different setting at his farmhouse. During this time, the people live a simple life mostly based on agriculture. The youth also recalls his mother’s lecture before departing. “She could . . . give him many hundreds of reasons why he was vastly more important on the farm than on the field of battle” (p. 4). His mother warns him about taking care of himself and staying away from bad companions.

    Read More

  • Writing Effective Combat Scenes The Stormtrooper Effect

    1319 Words  | 3 Pages

    What are the stakes of your battle? What are the possible consequences for your main character if he doesn’t win? Will he die? Or is it worse? Will his army/companions/country fall into the hands of the enemy? Will his entire race be obliterated? Or is it better? Will he win the hand of the princess and the day? Will he amass a fortune that he will use to take over the world? The higher the stakes, the more tension there is to build. Make the consequences high enough that something MASSIVE will be lost or gained. Put it all on the line. Make your readers clamor for the outcome!

    Read More

  • The Red Badge Of Courage Diction

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    These actions the characters do are in reference to what they actually physically do. In Stephen Crane’s novella “The Red Badge of Courage,” when the soldiers are at camp, he describes their actions. “It appeared that two light-footed soldiers had been teasing a huge, bearded man, causing him to spill coffee upon his blue knees. The man had gone into a rage and had sworn comprehensively.” In this passage Stephen Crane leaves it up to the reader to depict and understand what the rest of the soldiers were doing. He also gives the reader permission to decide whether or not this was friendly argument or true strife among the men. These are the sort of actions Crane uses to describe and present his purpose. Sharma says, “Henry decides to run away and he too runs, following the actions of the other soldiers who have already fled.” Sharma is recognizing the significance of Henry, the star of “The Red Badge of Courage,” to run away. The reader is left with the impression that he ran away, but he or she can only conclude what he or she’s mind concludes with the given information. For instance, was Henry being cowardly or knowledgeable? This interpretation is left up to the reader, continuing the idea of

    Read More

  • Summary of Chapter Two of The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    The system of caste in India is a bond of union, but splits up the

    Read More

  • Gandhi: Different varieties of Pacifism

    1348 Words  | 3 Pages

    some person violence but reject war as always wrong. Mohandas K. Gandhi believed in the

    Read More

More about Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Summary

Open Document