Essay about Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita - 945 Words

Over the course of time in literature, movies, and in reality humans have come across heroes. A hero is not so easily defined though. Is it someone who saves others in dire need? Or maybe it’s someone who defeats the bad guy and gets the girl. It could be an awesome parent or friend or another relative who’s a good role model for someone. A credible definition of a hero can be seen if an observation is placed towards western culture. Heroes are depicted as bigger than life figures that defy the odds and always come on top, with happy endings most often. Their personalities can be bold, arrogant, and almost always carry an undeniable sense of justice. Although it can be out of context based on differences in religion and culture, these†¦show more content†¦Gita details its main protagonist, Arjuna, as he leads his troops into battle. Arjuna is a Sandava prince, who frequently wages war against the enemies of his people. Context clues suggest that this story see s a hero possibly as one who is willing to wage war, or whatever they are called to do, with the reward coming in the form of individually moving closer to nirvana, or enlightenment. A true hero carries out his duties for the sake of those in harm’s way, reward or not. Arjuna does not fit that mold because he carried out his duty on Krishna’s whim. He is a prince who wages war constantly, but not necessarily for heroic purposes, but was simply doing what Krishna had persuaded him to do, with more or less no moral reasoning behind it, other than Krishna’s words. â€Å"If you fail to wage this war of sacred duty, you will only abandon your duty and fame only to gain evil(36).† In doing so Arjuna resembles a soldier falling in line to a higher authority, simply a small pawn in a much grander scheme. Based on the actions of Arjuna before the battle and his ongoing conversation with the god Krishna, Arjuna cannot be considered a hero. In the early stages of the epic, the reader sees Arjuna filled with confusion and grief over his present battle. He must wage war against fathers, grandfathers, uncles, teachers, and friends. He is filled with grief because he does not understand why he must wage war against his kinsmen. â€Å"Dejected, filled withShow MoreRelatedThe Ethical And Moral Dilemma Of The Bhagavad Gita Arjuna910 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout The Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna is invariably challenged with the ethical dilemma of war and the inevitably of physical demise. Arjuna must commit himself to his own morals and ethics, which appease his physical and emotional desires, or allow them to be driven and guided by the will of Brahman. 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