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No topic - Essay Example Human beings have to attain higher spiritual conception in order to achieve the love of God (Easwaran 15). The Yoga of the despondency of Arjuna (The first discourse) The bloody war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas took place at Kurukshetra. This was a result of the failure of the peace and unity mission by Lord Krishna when he visited Pandavas. They had no choice but to participate in the bloody war in order for them to attain what they perceived as their rightful share of the kingdom. Before the two sides could engage in war, Arjuna questioned the reasons and circumstances of the deadly carnage that was about to happen as he knew that it was not good for the people to fight and in turn kill innocent people for the sake of their pleasures and kingdom (Miller 31). In addition, he wondered if it was right for him to leave or surrender everything in favor of his enemies and retire in peace. Miller (33) state that, as Arjuna was faced with these confusing thoughts, feeling of despo ndency overtook Arjuna. Arjuna had no desire to participate in the war in that he had to turn to Lord Krishna for enlightenment and guidance. It is therefore rational to note that Arjuna realized that ignorance of the law is not an excuse to warrant a sinful act that would lead to destruction of property and loss of life. People should know that a sinful conduct is a serious crime unworthy of knowledgeable and reasonable people. In the Yoga of the despondency of Arjuna recorded in the Upanishads, shows Arjuna casting way his arrow and bow, and sat down on the chariot with his mind engulfed in sorrow. It is rational to argue that Arjuna did not want the two armies to fight because he knew it would be against the will of the Lord who likes to see people live in peace and unity (Easwaran 12). Sankhiya Yoga (The second discourse) Arnold (55) argues that, unlike in the first discourse where Arjuna is seeking guidance and enlightenment from the Lord Krishna, the second discourse began wit h Sanjaya explaining the state or conditions of Arjuna, who was disturbed because of fear and attachment. Lord Krishna rebukes Arjuna for his unwilling to participate in the war because of his attachment or ‘Moha’ and tells him to fight. Arjuna did not succeed in convincing Lord Krishna through his wise thoughts that war was disastrous to the society. According to Arnold, this is wise counsel that the Lord Krishna gives to Arjuna. In turn, Arjuna recognizes his helplessness and devotes fully to the service of the Lord, looking for his direction, wisdom, and guidance to overcome the conflict of his mind. The Lord pitied with Arjuna, went ahead to guide, and enlightened him on what he should do. He tells Arjuna about the immortality of the Atman, for which there is past, present, and future. This meant that the Atman is not mortal; therefore, Arjuna should not be overwhelmed by grieve and fear. This is because the Atman is beyond the earth, fire, water, ether and air sinc e it cannot be cut, dried or burnt, and is eternal. In the first discourse, the Lord Krishna rebukes Arjuna and is unwilling to enlighten him (Easwaran 15). Contrary to the second discourse where the Lord explains to Arjuna that everyone in the world experiences things like pain and pleasure, cold and heat because of the conduct of objects with human senses. A person who is in a position to balance between the pain and pleasure will be able to attain immortality. The Lord advises