Swami Chinmayananda on the Mahabhaarata

In simple words, the Mahabhaarata was a fight between good and evil, namely the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The Pandavas were only five in number while the Kauravas were a hundred men. What does this signify?

It means that in our daily life, we face problems, too many of them, and our life itself is a Kurukshetra. In this, the good forces are few and the bad ones dominate. What an apt analogy!
But, the confused, despondent Arjuna is awakened by the Saarathy, and the Pandavas go on to rout the Kauravas. That is, shedding one’s ignorance and strengthening the resolve to defend Dharma are the only things that are needed to defeat even a seemingly monstrous opposition.

Everyone must have seen the beautiful picture of Arjuna in the chariot driven by Krishna, with the flag of Hanuman, in the Kurukshetra battlefield. Here, the horses pulling the chariot represent the sense organs. Each of our sense organs may attract us to different pleasures in life, but without control of our senses, we will reach nowhere. This control is symbolized by the reins held by the PaarthaSaarathy, which coordinate the movement of the horses. This is the real meaning of self control. Abstinence does not mean running away to the Himalayas when you’re tired with the problems of life. Instead, it means shaping your thoughts appropriately and channeling your energies in search of the purpose of life. That’s why the Geeta itself was not preached in a serene environment in the mountains. The choice of the grueling battle scene to give such a glorious lesson itself says that the message of the Geeta is not just for retired old men and women who have nothing else to do, but one that needs to be understood and practiced during one’s productive lifetime. Postponing the study of scriptures for old age is like thinking of reading a washing machine manual after it has become old, rusted and spoilt!
Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya!

Source: Geeta Lectures given by Swamini Vimalananda and Swami Tejomayananda of the Chinmaya Mission, which the writer was fortunate to attend.