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Re: A question on the Geeta
In article <3igqsq$meu@ucunix.san.uc.edu>, <pwoc@darkwing.uoregon.edu> writes:
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> From: Patrick William Oconnor <pwoc@darkwing.uoregon.edu>
> Newsgroups: alt.hindu
> Subject: A question on the Geeta
> Date: 23 Feb 1995 02:11:38 GMT
> Organization: Univ of Cincinnati
> Lines: 37
> Approved: editor@rbhatnagar.ececs.uc.edu
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> Message-ID: <3igqsq$meu@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
> NNTP-Posting-Host: rbhatnagar.ececs.uc.edu
> Originator: editor@rbhatnagar
>
> There is a passage in the Bhagavhad Gita that has puzzled me since I
> first read it, and I was hoping that someone in this group could
> straighten me out.
>
> I think it occurs near the end of the second chapter. As Krishna is
> trying to convince Arjuna to return to the battle, he resorts at one
> point to trying to shame Arjuna into action - telling him that if he
> refuses to fight, all the generals, the other soldiers, his family,
> etc., will all think less of him and it will severely tarnish his
> reputation. This really bothered me when I first read it, because if
> it convinced Arjuna to fight, then he would really be fighting out of
> a self-interest to maintain his reputation rather than desiring to
> perform his duty.
>
> So, am I completely misinterpretting this passage, or was Krishna
> actually testing Arjuna's motives, or what? I would greatly appreciate
> any help you could give me.
>
> Also, could anyone recommend good, faithful English translations of
> the Raamayana and the Mahabharata?
>
> Thank you.
>
> Pat
> Ihave read many and I find the small Penguin Paperback translation of th Gita
by Swami Prabhabanada and Christoffer Isherwood to be excellent. I would also
recommend the Movie Video "Mahabarata" (six hours). In the video the Pandavas
misrepresent an Elephant they killed as a person. Certainly this deception is
not Dharmic. the reason I was told that this could happen was that it is the
age of Kali Yuga and not everyone is perfect. Even the heroes! this might also
be why Arjuna is tempted by Chrishna ins such a fashion.
Sai Ram
Frank Greenhalgh
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