Arjuna Is A Friend of Kṛṣṇa - From Friendship to Surrender
The dialogue of the Bhagavad-gītā is not an academic debate, but an intimate conversation between the Supreme Lord and His eternal associate. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that understanding the profound, multifaceted friendship between Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa is the absolute key to unlocking the mysteries of transcendental knowledge.
The Qualification to Hear the Gītā
When the line of disciplic succession was lost, Kṛṣṇa chose to speak the Bhagavad-gītā again to humanity. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Kṛṣṇa deliberately bypassed great scholars and Vedāntists, choosing Arjuna specifically because of their deep, unalloyed friendship.
- Arjuna asks, "Why are you telling me? Why not another?" Sri Krsna answers, bhakto 'si me sakha ceti: "Because you are My devotee as well as My friend." - (BG 4.3).
- In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna tells His disciple Arjuna, "I am disclosing a most confidential part of knowledge to you, because you are My dear friend." As is stated in the Fourth Chapter, the Bhagavad-gita is spoken to Arjuna because of his one qualification: he was a devotee.
- Krsna especially selected Arjuna for instruction in spiritual knowledge because Arjuna happened to be a great devotee and confidential friend. Similarly, great personalities also speak to the advanced, not to sudras, vaisyas, women or unintelligent men.
- One who is not taught by a bona fide spiritual master cannot understand the Vedic literature. To emphasize this point, Krsna clearly said that it was because Arjuna was His devotee and confidential friend that he could understand the mystery of the Bhagavad-gita.
- Bhagavad-gita is instructed to Arjuna especially because Arjuna was a devotee of the Lord, a direct student of Krsna, and His intimate friend.
From Friend to Disciple
At the onset of the battle, Arjuna was overwhelmed by material compassion. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Arjuna quickly realized that casual friendly talks would not solve his severe crisis, prompting him to formally surrender and accept Kṛṣṇa as his supreme spiritual master.
- A guru is necessary. In the Bhagavad-gita, when Krsna and Arjuna were talking as friends, there was no conclusion. So Arjuna decided to accept Krsna as his guru.
- When Arjuna submitted to Krsna, he said, - My dear Krsna, now I no longer care to talk to You as a friend because friendly talks will not benefit me now.
- Sisyas te 'ham prapannam (BG 2.7): "I am Your surrendered disciple." So Krsna becomes guru, and Arjuna becomes the disciple. Formerly they were talking as friends. But when there is some serious matter, it must be spoken between authorities.
- He (Arjuna) is asking Lord Krsna, the supreme spiritual master, to make a definite solution. He offers himself to Krsna as a disciple. He wants to stop friendly talks.
- As friends, both of them (Krsna and Arjuna) were on the same level, but one of them voluntarily became a student of the other. Krsna was smiling because a friend had chosen to become a disciple.
The Revelation of the Universal Form
To convince the common man of Kṛṣṇa's divinity, Arjuna requested to see the universal form. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that for a pure devotee accustomed to intimate friendship, this terrifying display of cosmic power was deeply disturbing and invoked a profound sense of awe.
- To Arjuna, who was so intimately related with Krsna in friendship, this form of the universal manifestation was not pleasing; rather, it was fearful.
- After the revelation, Arjuna is offering obeisances with great respect, and with folded hands he is praying to Krsna. He is praising the universal form. Thus Arjuna's relationship becomes one of wonder rather than friendship.
- He (Arjuna) is admitting that formerly he did not know that Krsna could assume such a universal form, although He explained it as his intimate friend.
- At that time (when he witnessed the universal form) Arjuna forgot himself and could not understand that he was Arjuna, Krsna's friend, although he was always dependent upon Krsna's mercy. This incident is an example of inferior dependence.
- Before, Krsna and Arjuna had a relationship based on friendship, but here, after the revelation, Arjuna is offering obeisances with great respect.
Begging Pardon for Familiarity
Intimate friendship with the Lord often involves casual behavior. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how, upon seeing Kṛṣṇa's supreme majesty, Arjuna was struck with fear that his previous informalities—like lying on the same bed or calling Him casually—were actually grave offenses.
- When Krsna manifested His universal form, Arjuna became reverent and fearful, and he begged forgiveness for his past impudence toward Krsna as a friend.
- Although Krsna is manifested before Arjuna in His universal form, Arjuna remembers his friendly relationship with Krsna and is asking pardon and requesting Krsna to excuse him for the many informal gestures which arise out of friendship.
- Upon seeing the awesome universal form of Krsna, Arjuna said: I have dishonored You many times while relaxing or while lying on the same bed or eating together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. Please excuse me for all my offenses.
- Arjuna did not know how many times he may have dishonored Him by addressing Him as "O my friend, O Krsna, O Yadava," etc., without acknowledging His opulence.
- 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.
Perfection Through Sakhya-rasa
Perfection in spiritual life does not exclusively mean meditation or philosophical study. As Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes, Arjuna achieved the ultimate spiritual success simply by rendering pure devotional service in the mood of eternal friendship.
- Hanuman became successful by rendering personal service to Lord Ramacandra. Arjuna became successful by being a friend of Krsna. And Bali Maharaja became successful simply by offering all of his possessions to Krsna.
- For his doing so (Arjuna changing his decision to serve Krsna) so, he became a famous devotee of the Lord, for it is declared in all the scriptures that Arjuna attained spiritual perfection by devotional service to the Lord in friendship.
- By sarsti-mukti one can have opulences similar to the Supreme Lord's. Another type enables one to remain always with God as one of His associates, just like Arjuna, who is always with Krsna as His friend.
- Arjuna, the great warrior, attained the same perfection (the spiritual platform) simply by making friends with the Lord, who delivered the message of Bhagavad-gita to enlighten Arjuna and his followers.
- Everyone who follows the path of Arjuna can become a dear friend to Krsna and obtain the same perfection as Arjuna.
Conclusion
As Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully explains, the relationship between Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa is the perfect template for the conditioned soul seeking liberation. Kṛṣṇa did not select a renounced ascetic or an empiric philosopher to receive the supreme science of the Bhagavad-gītā; He selected Arjuna strictly because of his unalloyed devotion and intimate friendship. Yet, to properly receive that transcendental knowledge, Arjuna had to set aside his casual familiarity and fully surrender as a disciple, demonstrating that the Absolute Truth must be approached with submissive inquiry. When Kṛṣṇa revealed His terrifying universal form, Arjuna's awe and subsequent apologies proved the depth of his reverence, showing that pure friendship with God never breeds genuine contempt or disrespect. Ultimately, Arjuna's life proves that one does not need to abandon their occupation to achieve the highest perfection; one simply needs to execute their duties as a loving, surrendered friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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