Posted on: 14 Aug 2023
[Ms. Bhanu Samykya asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, Lord Krishna told the Gita only to Arjuna. But it is said that every human should read and understand the Gita. Then, why did Lord Krishna not involve any soul other than Arjuna while teaching such important knowledge? Because God is not partial, does it conclude that everyone was undeserving to listen from Krishna directly? If so, why should an undeserving person read the Gita from a book? Please excuse me if there's anything wrong in this question Swami. - At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Bhanu Samykya.]
Swami Replied:- Whether somebody hears the Gita directly from God Krishna or reads the Gita from a book, what is the difference between both these persons? Arjuna heard the Gita directly from God on the first day. On the 18th day, when Krishna asked Arjuna to first get down from the chariot, Arjuna hesitated because he was the owner of the chariot and Krishna was the driver of the chariot. The driver shall get down first and shall open the door of the car so that the owner gets down. This ego did not leave Arjuna even on the 18th day. Why 18th day? Even on the 13th day, Arjuna said that he would withdraw from the war because his son was killed. On the first day, Arjuna realized Krishna as God and promised Krishna to fight in the war for protection of justice, which was the work of God. In the fascination of his son, he forgot all that. Now, take Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva, who read the Bhagavad Gita from books and did not hear the Gita directly from God. All their worldly bonds were dropped and they wrote beautiful commentaries on the Gita. Shankara left His old mother and participated in the work of God. Now, tell Me, who is greater and more blessed between Arjuna and Shankara?