Advent of the Bhagavad-gita

Any thought of achieving comfort in this material world is Maya. In Srila Bhaktivinoda's song Jiv Jago, Lord Caitanya asks, 'How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Maya?'

Bhagavad-gita is our wake up call. But we must be ready to hear it.

Only after Arjuna had plummeted into a pit of despair was he ready to hear Krsna speak His divine instructions. Despair derives from Latin, desperare, de — 'down from' + sperare 'to hope'. In other words, Arjuna had lost hope in his own abilities to find a solution to his problems. His optimism ran dry; and with no apparent solution to his grave dilemma, tears came to his eyes and he dropped his mighty bow, Gandiva.

Actually, everyone in the material world is in such a precarious and hopeless situation.

However, in Maya's warm embrace, I think that I am Okay. But I am not. The forceful wheel of time will soon loosen my grip on all that I now possess. My cherished hopes for comfort, permanency and happiness in the material world will slip away.

In his introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada writes:

"Actually we are all swallowed by the tigress of nescience, but the Lord is very merciful upon living entities, especially human beings. To this end He spoke the Bhagavad-gita, making His friend Arjuna His student."

— Bhagavad-gita Introduction, p. 6

Before hearing Bhagavad-gita we will benefit greatly by remembering how we too are swallowed by the tigress of nescience. Like Arjuna, are we also not helpless and lost without hearing and surrendering to Krsna's sweet words?

As Arjuna set aside his bow and arrows, let us set aside any sense of confidence in our own abilities, so that we may hear Krsna's words with full heart and attention.

This kind of submissive hearing is the primary requirement for advancement in spiritual life. The devotee who hears Krsna's words with a submissive heart immediately feels ingress of causeless knowledge and detachment.

Near the end of Bhagavad-gita Krsna tells Arjuna:

"In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me."

— Bhagavad-gita 18.57

Krsna is attentively watching us at every second and is ready to guide and shelter us.

Therefore, today, and every day, may we recite the divine slokas in Bhagavad-gita not by rote. Rather, with the urgency of a man or woman trapped in a burning house, let us sing them aloud, calling for Krsna's protection.

Hare Krishna! With gratitude and affection, Vaisesika Dasa