The Myth of Yoga || Acharya Prashant, on Bhagvad Gita (2017)

Acharya Prashant: So, what is the setting of the Bhagwat Gita? The Bhagwat Gita is a part of the epic, Mahabharata, which is a story of princely clans, running over many generations. So, one side, one group of allies by the name of Pandavas, are ranged against their cousin brothers, by the name of Kauravas. The setting is a battlefield. Krishna, is the Charioteer, of the lead warrior amongst the Pandavas, his name is Arjun. We must go deeply into the setting, first of all.

There is a conflict, in which, brothers, relatives, acquaintances, have all been set up against each other. Arjun’s great grandfather is on the opposite side. Many of Arjun’s friends, are on the opposite side. Hundreds of his cousin brothers are on the opposite side. The teacher, who taught him all his martial skills, is on the opposite side. The teacher’s son too, is on the opposite side.

A lot of attachment, a lot of past, a lot of relationships. And on his own side, are his brother, a lot of hurt, carry over from the past, insult that he has seen being meted out to his wife. His woes, his brothers’ woes. The feeling that he has been treated unfairly. The temptation to be a king again. The urge, to get back, what appears justifiably his. This is where Arjun is standing. All attempts, towards pacification have failed. And now, it is certain that…