Chapter 2The Eternal Reality of the Soul's ImmortalityVerse 4

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Anvaya

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Commentaries of the Four Authorized Vaisnava Sampradayas

as confirmed in the Garga Samhita Canto 10, Chapter 61, Verses 23, 24, 25, 26
Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

I am not withdrawing from battle out of cowardice but because it is improper to attack my superiors. This is what Arjuna meant by asking the Supreme Lord Krishna: How shall I fight against Bhishma and Drona? When it is wrong to even speak of fighting against them, how can I then even consider actually fighting them. This is the factual meaning of these words expressed by Arjuna.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Madhvacarya
There is no commentary for this verse.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Ramanuja
There is no commentary for this verse.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

Although Lord Krishna's instructions are perfectly correct still it might be submitted that one coming from noble lineage should only fight a battle which is not antagonistic to ones family traditions regarding righteousness and not fight a battle which would be instrumental in destroying these family traditions. Arjuna is asking how can he engage in battle with his superior Bhishma and his preceptor Drona. When even to argue against them is improper then what to think against attacking them with deadly arrows in earnest. Why? Because preceptors and superiors are always to be respected. Duryodhana by placing Bhishma and Drona directly in the forefront caused the ever righteous Pandavas discomfort at the thought of having to fight against them as it was opposed to the time honored noble traditions of their family lineage. So what Arjuna in fact is stating is why should they engage themselves in this battle being aware of the great sinfulness declared in the Vedic scriptures of disregarding superiors and showing aggression against the preceptor which results in the perpetrator becoming a ghostly demon known as a brahma-raksasa.

Thus ends commentaries of chapter 2, verse 4 of the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita.

Verse 4


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