Chapter 1 Shloka 24

संजय उवाच

एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत।

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्।।२४।।

Sanjay says:

O Dhritrashtra! On Gudakesh’s request,

Hrishikesh steered the splendid chariot

and stood it between the armies.

Chapter 1 Shloka 24

संजय उवाच

एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत।

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्।।२४।।

Sanjay says:

O Dhritrashtra! On Gudakesh’s request, Hrishikesh steered the splendid chariot and stood it between the armies.

Arjuna has been called ‘Gudakesh’, that is:

1. One who has gained victory over sleep.

2. One who is untainted by laziness.

3. The master of his senses.

4. One who is ever awake.

(For the connotation of ‘Hrishikesh’ refer shloka 15 of this chapter.)

Now little one, understand carefully!

1. Lord Krishna was Arjuna’s charioteer.

2. Arjuna was not only a brave warrior but also the master.

3. Lord Krishna was merely Arjuna’s servant and thus it could be said that He was dependent on him.

4. Lord Krishna was so to say, striving to fulfil Arjuna’s wishes.

Lord Krishna, the Embodiment of Truth had assumed the position of a divine servant. Arjuna had to be established. His name and fame had to be re-established.

The Lord was endeavouring to impart the credit of victory to Arjuna by persuading him to take up arms. Thus the Lord gains a victory for the other, through the individual himself. The Lord merely serves as the seeker’s strength and intellectual guide. When the individual’s mental aberrations and blocks abate and his mind becomes peaceful, then his physical capability is enhanced.

Why did Krishna take Arjuna’s chariot in the midst of the two armies despite knowing that:

1. Arjuna was ridden with moha?

2. Arjuna would be beset with sorrow?

3. Arjuna would probably flee the battlefield?

4. Arjuna would be upset upon seeing his own kith and kin confronting him?

5. Arjuna’s very limbs would tremble with perturbation?

Why did the Lord accede to Arjuna’s request? Little one! You must remember that Lord Krishna was now placed in the position of a charioteer; a mere servitor whose duty it was to obey the master’s command.

Besides, Arjuna’s request to Lord Krishna, to place his chariot between the armies, was legitimate because he wanted to make a true assessment of the forces he had to fight.

Arjuna had deep faith in Krishna. He was quite sure that Lord Krishna would not leave or desert him, having once clasped his hand. However, had the Lord not obeyed Arjuna’s request, Arjuna would have been quite capable of changing his choice of charioteer! He would even have forgotten his friendship with Krishna in the heat of the moment and would have broken any relationship between them!

Confronted with such a problem, Lord Krishna bows to the other’s wishes for the other’s victory. However He explains the pros and cons to the other. Therein lies His strategy. But He gives no instructions in the gross unless He is asked. The Lord says nothing to the one who is happy with his own abilities.

A seeker too, should clearly ascertain his friends and foes before he embarks on his battle of spiritual endeavour or sadhana, so that later:

a) his steps do not falter;

b) his hands do not hesitate when he lifts them to sever his negativity;

c) his head does not rise when it should bow down;

d) the asuras do not gain ascendency over the devtas;

e) no concepts, attachments or moha interfere in the attainment of his goal.

A sadhak therefore takes full stock before embarking on his journey towards the Self.