TOKUMEIKAN
Library
Welcome to our library. This section contains a collection of stories, poetry and writings that we enjoy and believe you will enjoy as well. Please have a look around and should you find anything you like or know of any pieces that you would like to share with us please let us know. library@tokumeikan.com
To encourage Duryodhana, Bhishma, the glorious old warrior of the Kurus, sounded loud his war-cry like the roar of a lion, and then blew his far-sounding conch-shell. Then the rumbling of war drums, the stirring sound of cymbals and trumpets, and the roaring of conch-shells and horns filled the sky with a fearful thunder.
The flight of arrows was now to begin and Arjuna saw Duryodhana and his warriors drawn up in their ones of battle. He thereupon took up his bow and spoke these words to Krishna:
‘Drive my chariot, Krishna immortal, and place it between the two armies. That I may see those warriors who stand there eager for battle, with whom I must now fight at the beginning of this war.’
…Then Arjuna saw in both armies fathers, grandfathers, sons, grandsons; fathers of wives, uncles, masters; brothers, companions and friends. When Arjuna thus saw his kinsmen face to face in both lines of battle, he was overcome with grief and despair and he thus spoke with a sinking heart:
‘When I see all my kinsmen, Krishna, who have come here on this field of battle, life goes from my limbs and they sink, and my mouth is sear and dry; a trembling overcomes my body and my hair shudders in horror… And I see forebodings of evil, Krishna. I cannot foresee any glory if I kill my own kinsmen in the sacrifice of battle… O day of darkness! What evil spirit moved our minds when for the sake of an earthly kingdom we came to this field of battle ready to kill our own people?’
Thus spoke Arjuna in the field of battle, and letting fall his bow and arrows he sank down in his chariot, his soul overcome by despair and grief.
Then arose the Spirit of Krishna and spoke to Arjuna:
‘Whence this lifeless dejection, Arjuna, in this hour, the hour of trial? Fall not into degrading weakness, for this becomes not a man who is a man.’
Arjuna: ‘In the dark night of my soul I feel desolation. In my self-pity I see not the way of righteousness. I am thy disciple, come to thee in supplication: be a light unto me on the path of my duty.’
Krishna smiled and spoke to Arjuna – there between the two armies the voice of God spoke these words:
‘Thy tears are for those beyond tears; and are thy words words of wisdom? The wise grieve not for those who live; and they grieve not for those who die – for life and death shall pass away.
If any man thinks he slays, and if another thinks he is slain, neither knows the ways of truth. The Eternal in man cannot kill; the Eternal in man cannot die.
As a man leaves an old garment and puts on one that is new, the Spirit leaves his mortal body and wanders on to one that is new. Beyond the power of sword and fire, beyond the power of waters and wind, the Spirit is everlasting, omnipresent, never-changing, never-moving, ever One.
The Spirit that is in all beings is immortal in them all: for the death of what cannot die, cease thou to sorrow. Think thou also of thy duty and do not waver. There is no greater good for a warrior than to fight in righteous war.
But to forego this fight for righteousness is to forego thy duty and honour. Men will tell of thy dishonour both now and in the times to come. And to a man who is in honour, dishonour is more than death. The great warriors will say that thou hast run from the battle through fear; and those who thought great things of thee will speak of thee in scorn. And thine enemies will speak of thee in contemptuous words of ill-will and derision, pouring scorn upon thy courage. Can there be for a warrior a more shameful fate?
In death thy glory in heaven, in victory thy glory on earth. Arise therefore, Arjuna, with thy soul ready to fight.’
From: The Bhagavad Gita. (Mascaro, J. (Trans.) (1962). London, UK: Penguin Books)