A note from the Gita on friendship

Rohit Khare (rohit@uci.edu)
Sat, 6 Mar 1999 20:51:52 -0800


[I can't say I didn't think of Adam :-]
http://www.webcom.com/ara/col/books/BG/gita/chapter2.html

VERSE 10
... at that time Krsna, smiling, in the midst of both the armies,
spoke the following words to the grief-stricken Arjuna.

PURPORT
The talk was going on between intimate friends, namely the Hrsikesa
and the Gudakesa. As friends, both of them 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. As Lord of
all, He is always in the superior position as the master of everyone,
and yet the Lord agrees to be a friend, a son, or a lover for a
devotee who wants Him in such a role. But when He was accepted as the
master, He at once assumed the role and talked with the disciple like
the master-with gravity, as it is required. It appears that the talk
between the master and the disciple was openly exchanged in the
presence of both armies so that all were benefitted. So the talks of
Bhagavad-gita are not for any particular person, society, or
community, but they are for all, and friends or enemies are equally
entitled to hear them.

VERSE 11
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: While speaking learned
words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who
are wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.

...

VERSE 37
... either you will be killed on the battlefield and attain the
heavenly planets, or you will conquer and enjoy the earthly kingdom.
Therefore, get up with determination and fight.