This is an attempt to summarize the wisdom of Gita chapters through a reading from Advaitic (non-dualistic) perspective. It is not the aim here to translate, interpret or comment on each Gita verse.

Here, the summary of the first chapter: Arjuna Vishada Yoga, is included. The summary of subsequent chapters will be attempted one by one.

The first chapter of the Gita starts with Sanjaya describing the Kaurava and Pandava armies assembled at Kurukshetra and formally announcing the war by sounding the conch shells. Based on Arjuna’s request to have a view of the warriors taken position on either side, his charioteer Krishna takes their chariot to the centre of the battlefield.

– (Chapter 1; Verses 1-26)

Seeing his relatives and friends on either side, fully prepared to kill one another, Arjuna is overwhelmed with utmost grief. He voices his decision to not be party to such a great sin, even at the cost of letting go of any fortunes that could be received from such a war. He announces that we will not fight the war. The questions and thoughts that Arjuna brings into such a decision are:

“Of what use is any victory, kingdom, happiness or even life as a result of slaying all these teachers, elders in the family, relatives and friends, even if they are ready to attack us? The race will be destroyed, and the families and society will plunge into deep adharma. Won’t we who cause such a state end up in hell? How could we even make such a decision? It is better that they kill me while I am disarmed…”

– (Chapter 1; Verses 27-47)

This is where the first chapter of Gita ends. We can see the context in which Arjuna’s grief appears on him, along with its reasons and his justifications for that. The same continues even in the first ten verses of the second chapter as well. The Gita advice by Krishna to bring a change in heart in Arjuna starts post that.

Here, a common question arises: Why did Yogeswara Krishna influence Arjuna, who had decided that he is not willing to fight or kill others, to fight the war?

Arjuna, stuck in a worldly, dualistic and materialistic perspective, is not weakened or influenced to step back from fighting the war by humane or spiritual/ethical/moral realisations of killing or causing pain to other beings. He was a kshatriya warrior who fought many wars and killed many foes in his life without any such doubts or feelings. At this juncture, the feelings of adharma are budding in Arjuna’s mind due to the sudden realisation of killing ‘my own’ relatives and friends!

What would happen, if Arjuna retreat due to such a feeling? The retraction by the most prominent warrior in the Pandava army would not only weaken that front, but also make the defeat of their side imminent.

What is the problem with that? Majority of the kings and warriors who joined hands with Pandavas in their side have done so, without any direct enmity with Duryodhana or Kauravas, but due to their affinity, respect and love towards Pandavas! Arjuna’s retreat after the war had officially been initiated would be a grave injustice and ever treachery towards them. Such an act would become adharma in that way. In other words, Arjuna’s move would strengthen the Adharmic side in the war, while weakening the dharmic side.

That is the reason Krishna is taking the initiative to advise Arjuna and bring about a mindset change in him. It is worthwhile to remember here, that Krishna was someone who was involved in all efforts to avoid such a war, including going as a messenger from Pandava Side to the Kauravas.