The genius of the Bhagavad-gitais that it takes a specific real-life situation, examines it philosophically and offers a universal pragmatic solution.
The Gita begins with Arjuna’s weak-hearted capitulation: at the end of the first chapter (1.46) he puts aside his bow. His actions express his intention: “I will not fight.”The message of the Gita infuses Arjuna with clarity of vision and firmness of resolution, as evidenced in his concluding declaration: “I will do your will.” (18.73)
It is significant that Arjuna doesn’t conclude with the specific resolution: “I will fight.” After hearing the profound wisdom of the Gita, his vision has been lifted far beyond the specific battlefield dilemma: “Should I fight or not?” That’s why, though the Gita urges Arjuna to fight repeatedly in the initial chapters, the exhortations to fight become increasingly infrequent as its discussion becomes deeper and broader. The Gita’s battlefield setting is certainly historical, not mythological. At the same time, it is, after all, the setting, not the substance.
The substance of the Gita is its majestic analysis of the universal existential perplexity that confronts all of us: “What should I live for?” The Gita answers by urging us: “Live for love: love of Krishna and all his children.” The Gita’s philosophy, when understood holistically, reveals divinity’s love for humanity and inspires a reciprocal humanity’slove for divinity.
Like Arjuna, we can choose to respond to our specific dilemmas with the universal panacea of loving surrender: “O Lord, I will do your will.”By this attitude of surrender will emerge a perspicacity of vision that will make the specific dilemmaunderwhelming. More importantly, it will also reveal through the dilemma a pathway to Krishna’s supreme abode, the world of eternal love that is free from all material dilemmas.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 01 Text 46
“Sanjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.”
Source : http://www.gitadaily.com/2011/12/05/the-genius-of-the-bhagavad-gita/
