Transformative Power of Śravaṇam - Arjuna's Hearing on the Battlefield
The act of hearing, known as śravaṇam, is the foundation of devotional service. The relationship between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukṣetra illustrates how hearing from the right source can solve the most complex dilemmas of human life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Arjuna is the ideal student because he approached the Supreme Authority with an open heart and a desire to understand the truth. By hearing the transcendental message of Bhagavad gītā, Arjuna was able to transcend his temporary material identities and act in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Hearing from the Supreme Authority
The turning point in Arjuna's life came when he stopped relying on his own sentiments and started listening to Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa is the most authoritative personality, and hearing from Him is the only way to gain perfect instruction. This process of receiving knowledge from the source allows the listener to understand God in full, free from any doubt. Arjuna's hearing was not a passive act but an active engagement with the science of God that led him to accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Brahman.
- After hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjuna accepted Krsna as Param Brahma, the Supreme Brahman.
- The Lord (Krsna) says to Arjuna, "tat srnu," or "Hear from Me." No one can be a greater authority than Krsna, and therefore by hearing from Him one receives the greatest opportunity for progress in Krsna consciousness.
- Arjuna heard from Krsna about Himself, and he agreed. So He is accepted by the direct disciple, Arjuna; He is accepted by Vyasadeva; He is accepted by Narada Muni.
- BG 7.1: "Now, hear, O son of Prtha (Arjuna), how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt." Lord Krsna Himself teaches how one can understand Him perfectly well, without a doubt.
Transformation of Consciousness
Hearing the Gītā changed Arjuna’s heart but not his profession. Before hearing, he was a soldier who did not want to fight. After hearing, he was a soldier who was ready to fight for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. This illustrates that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not about changing one's external activities but about changing the consciousness behind those activities. Arjuna dovetailed his mind with Kṛṣṇa's desire, which is the true definition of oneness. He realized that his duty was not to satisfy his own senses or family affections but to serve the Supreme Lord.
- After hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjuna dovetailed his mind with Krsna's desire. This is called oneness. This oneness, however, did not cause Arjuna and Krsna to lose their individualities.
- Arjuna was hesitant. But the same fighting remained after hearing Bhagavad-gita. And what is the change? The change is that bodily identification gone, spiritual identification taken, that he, as part and parcel of Krsna, it is his duty to serve Krsna.
- Arjuna, although he was fighter, Arjuna did not change his position. He did not become a brahmana. After hearing Bhagavad-gita it is not that he gave up his profession as a ksatriya and went to Himalaya to become a brahmana, meditation.
- In the Bhagavad-gita we can see that Arjuna desired not to fight with his brothers and relations just to satisfy his own personal desires. But when he heard the message of the Lord, Srimad Bhagavad-gita, he changed his decision and served the Lord.
The Importance of the Parampara System
One does not need to be physically present on the battlefield to receive the same benefit as Arjuna. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by hearing from the representative of Kṛṣṇa, one hears from Kṛṣṇa Himself. This is the mystery of the disciplic succession where the bona fide spiritual master acts as a transparent medium. If we follow the decisions and understanding of Arjuna, we are considered to be directly hearing the Bhagavad gītā from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Either you hear from Krsna or from Krsna's representative. Just like Arjuna is hearing from Krsna, and you hear from Arjuna. Then you get the perfect instruction.
- The spiritual master is the transparent medium, although it is true that the experience is direct. This is the mystery of the disciplic succession. When the spiritual master is bona fide, then one can hear Bhagavad-gita directly, as Arjuna heard it.
- This is the way of the parampara system. If we follow the acaryas we attain the same benefit as our predecessors. If one follows the decisions of Arjuna, he should be considered to be directly hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The living entity has to change that conception (of material desires). That change can be effected only by hearing from authoritative sources. The best example is here (Bhagavad-gita): Arjuna is hearing the science of God from Krsna.
Rejection of Impractical Yoga
While Kṛṣṇa explained various systems of yoga, including the meditational system, Arjuna concluded that such paths were too difficult for him. He found the requirements of sitting in a secluded place and controlling the restless mind to be impractical and unendurable. This highlights the supremacy of the path of hearing and bhakti yoga which allows one to remain engaged in their duties while simultaneously hearing about the Lord. Arjuna’s example shows that even in the midst of a battle, hearing the science of God is possible and effective.
- Arjuna heard explanation of meditational system of yoga, all this being conducted in a secluded place alone - he replied: O Madhusudana, the system of yoga, You have summarized appears impractical & unendurable to me, for the mind is restless & unsteady.
- Arjuna had to fight in the battlefield, but at the same time he heard Bhagavad-gita. Our motto shall be like that. Neither we shall fight alone, without Krishna Consciousness, nor we shall give up all possible facilities in Krishna Consciousness.
- Within the discourse, Arjuna heard the explanation of the meditational system of yoga - how to sit down, how to keep the body straight, how to keep the eyes half-closed and how to gaze at the tip of the nose without diverting one's attention.
Conclusion
Arjuna's experience confirms that hearing is the most vital step in reclaiming one's original consciousness. By hearing from Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna was able to overcome his doubts, sentimentality, and bodily identification. He became enlightened and committed himself to the service of the Supreme Lord. This same path of hearing is open to all who follow the paramparā system, allowing every person to attain the same level of clarity and conviction that Arjuna achieved on the battlefield of Kurukṣetra.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Arjuna's Hearing. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.