Arjuna's Fear - From Material Illusion to Divine Awe
The Bhagavad-gītā is not only a profound philosophical dialogue but also an intense psychological study of a soul facing ultimate crisis. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Arjuna experienced two distinct types of fear during the Battle of Kurukṣetra: the material fear of losing his bodily relationships, and the spiritual, awe-struck terror of witnessing the unlimited power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Paralysis of Material Fear
Before the battle began, Arjuna's mind was consumed by the bodily concept of life. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Arjuna's initial trembling and loss of composure were symptoms of material fear, rooted in his false ego and a misguided desire to enjoy the kingdom with his relatives.
- Arjuna was a military man, and born of the nature of the ksatriya. Therefore his natural duty was to fight. But, due to false ego, he was fearing that by killing his teacher, grandfather and friends, there would be sinful reactions.
- Why should Arjuna be afraid of or aggrieved at the death of his relatives since he was discharging his proper duty? He did not deserve to break the law, thereby becoming subjected to the reactions of sinful acts, of which he was so afraid.
- Everyone wants to show his opulence to friends and relatives, but Arjuna fears that all his relatives and friends will be killed in the battlefield (of Kuruksetra), and he will be unable to share his opulence after victory.
- There is no fear in transcendental realization. Arjuna's symptoms (his trembling body, hair standing on end, his bow slipping from his hand, and his burning skin) in this situation are out of material fear - namely, loss of life.
The Danger of Ill Fame
Lord Kṛṣṇa refused to validate Arjuna's cowardice. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the Supreme Lord chastised Arjuna, warning him that retreating from his prescribed duty out of fear would destroy his reputation—a fate worse than death for a noble warrior.
- Arjuna as a ksatriya should not abandon his duty out of fear that his grandfather and teacher - Bhisma and Drona - will die in the battle.
- For a respectable man like you (Arjuna), ill fame is worse than death. So, you should not flee for fear of your life; better to die in the battle.
- Lord Krsna continued to give His verdict to Arjuna: They (Duryodhana, Karna, and other contemporaries) will think that you have left out of fear for your life. And thus their high estimation of your personality will go to hell.
- Lord Krsna says to Arjuna: you should not flee for fear of your life; better to die in the battle. That will save you from the ill fame of misusing My friendship and from losing your prestige in society.
The Terror of the Universal Form
As the dialogue progressed, Arjuna requested to see Kṛṣṇa's majestic, all-encompassing manifestation. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the sight of the universal form evoked a completely different kind of fear, shattering Arjuna's equilibrium with its terrifying, limitless display of power.
- O all-pervading Visnu, I can no longer maintain my equilibrium. Seeing Your radiant colors fill the skies and beholding Your eyes and mouths, I am afraid. Bhagavad-gita 11.24.
- After seeing this universal form, which I have never seen before, I am gladdened, but at the same time my mind is disturbed with fear. Bhagavad-gita 11.45.
- To Arjuna, who was so intimately related with Krsna in friendship, this form of the universal manifestation was not pleasing; rather, it was fearful.
- Sanjaya said to Dhrtarastra: O King, after hearing these words from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjuna trembled, fearfully offered obeisances with folded hands and began, falteringly, to speak as follows: Bhagavad-gita 11.35.
Begging Pardon and Finding Peace
Overwhelmed by awe, Arjuna felt profound regret for his previous informal dealings with Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that it was only when the Lord mercifully withdrew the fearful universal form and displayed His original two-armed feature that Arjuna's fear was finally banished.
- After seeing that universal form, he (Arjuna) is afraid that he has committed so many offenses to Krsna out of his unalloyed friendship. Thus his mind is disturbed out of fear, although he had no reason to fear.
- When Arjuna saw the universal form of the Lord, he was so afraid that he begged pardon for his dealings with Krsna as an intimate friend. As a friend, Arjuna often behaved unceremoniously with the Lord.
- He (Arjuna) was afraid to see the gigantic form of the Lord. He therefore prayed to the Lord to assume His four-handed Narayana or Krsna form, which alone could please Arjuna.
- When He was present, everyone was attracted simply by Krsna's form, and because Krsna is director of the universe, He just banished the fear of Arjuna, His devotee, and showed him again His beautiful form of Krsna.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evolution of Arjuna's fear perfectly illustrates the journey from material ignorance to spiritual enlightenment. Initially, Arjuna's trembling was a symptom of mundane attachment; he feared the loss of his bodily relations and the sinful reactions he mistakenly believed would follow the execution of his duty. Lord Kṛṣṇa swiftly eradicated this illusion by explaining the eternal nature of the soul and the supreme importance of occupational duty. However, when Kṛṣṇa revealed His universal form, Arjuna experienced a new, transcendental fear—one born of absolute awe and reverence for God's infinite majesty. Realizing the unimaginable greatness of his friend, Arjuna feared he had committed offenses. Ultimately, by withdrawing this terrifying manifestation and revealing His beautiful, original form, Kṛṣṇa demonstrated that the highest perfection of spiritual life is not found in awe and reverence, but in the fearless, intimate exchange of pure, unalloyed love.
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