Mahabharata/Gita Questions

Spirituality Religion
#1

I have been told there is a place in the Gita (or) the Mahabharata where Krishna offers his help to both sides of the war, and Arjuna chooses to have Krishna be the chariot driver, while the other side chooses his war power/weapons. Can anyone direct me to that link? I have been having some difficulty with this reference, and have found some links which say it is found in the commentaries or discourses, rather than the actual text.

Also, there is a quote often attributed to Vivekananda, which he derived from the Gita, which says, “I am the thread that runs through all these pearls”. Can anyone direct me to the place where this might come from in the Gita or the larger Mahabharata?

Thank you for any help! If you can list chapters/versus and the translations that would really help so I can look into it and study it myself. :slight_smile:

Thanks!

#2

[QUOTE=suryadaya;53251]I have been told there is a place in the Gita (or) the Mahabharata where Krishna offers his help to both sides of the war, and Arjuna chooses to have Krishna be the chariot driver, while the other side chooses his war power/weapons. Can anyone direct me to that link? I have been having some difficulty with this reference, and have found some links which say it is found in the commentaries or discourses, rather than the actual text.

Also, there is a quote often attributed to Vivekananda, which he derived from the Gita, which says, “I am the thread that runs through all these pearls”. Can anyone direct me to the place where this might come from in the Gita or the larger Mahabharata?

Thank you for any help! If you can list chapters/versus and the translations that would really help so I can look into it and study it myself. :slight_smile:

Thanks![/QUOTE]

I have read many legitimate translations of the Mahabharata (which I have at home) and this is actually a part of the story, not a commentary or discourse. I am sorry that I cannot provide you with links.

The “other side” you refer to was Duryodhana.

As for the latter quote, I do not recall reading that in the Mahabharata. I am sure it is in the Gita.

What links are you reading from? I highly recommend you buy a book, translated by a Hindu/Indian who actually knows the Sanskrit, instead of reading from online sources of questionable validity or authenticity.

#3

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;53256]I have read many legitimate translations of the Mahabharata (which I have at home) and this is actually a part of the story, not a commentary or discourse. I am sorry that I cannot provide you with links.

The “other side” you refer to was Duryodhana.

As for the latter quote, I do not recall reading that in the Mahabharata. I am sure it is in the Gita.

What links are you reading from? I highly recommend you buy a book, translated by a Hindu/Indian who actually knows the Sanskrit, instead of reading from online sources of questionable validity or authenticity.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your help. I actually am looking for references to source material so that I can look it up in the translations myself. They are rather large texts, and I’m not sure where the ideas that I am searching for stem from. I have only heard them in lectures and now I am trying to get the background information.

I’m sorry I shouldn’t have used the word ‘link’ when I asked, as I am actually looking for the textual reference / verse & chapter numbers.

#4

[QUOTE=suryadaya;53260]Thank you for your help. I actually am looking for references to source material so that I can look it up in the translations myself. They are rather large texts, and I’m not sure where the ideas that I am searching for stem from. I have only heard them in lectures and now I am trying to get the background information.

I’m sorry I shouldn’t have used the word ‘link’ when I asked, as I am actually looking for the textual reference / verse & chapter numbers.[/QUOTE]

Well then, I can certainly help you with this.

The chapter in which this part occurs is the Udyoga Parva. It should be in the first few pages. I cannot give specific verse numbers because it was omitted in the translation I have, for the sake of unobstructed reading.

#5

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;53265]Well then, I can certainly help you with this.

The chapter in which this part occurs is the Udyoga Parva. It should be in the first few pages. I cannot give specific verse numbers because it was omitted in the translation I have, for the sake of unobstructed reading.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much!

#6

[QUOTE=suryadaya;53268]Thank you so much![/QUOTE]

No problem. Always a pleasure to help another. :smiley:

#7

[QUOTE=suryadaya;53251]I have been told there is a place in the Gita (or) the Mahabharata where Krishna offers his help to both sides of the war, and Arjuna chooses to have Krishna be the chariot driver, while the other side chooses his war power/weapons. Can anyone direct me to that link? I have been having some difficulty with this reference, and have found some links which say it is found in the commentaries or discourses, rather than the actual text.

Also, there is a quote often attributed to Vivekananda, which he derived from the Gita, which says, “I am the thread that runs through all these pearls”. Can anyone direct me to the place where this might come from in the Gita or the larger Mahabharata?

Thank you for any help! If you can list chapters/versus and the translations that would really help so I can look into it and study it myself. :slight_smile:

Thanks![/QUOTE]

BG 7.7

Text 7

mattah parataram nanyat
kincid asti dhananjaya
mayi sarvam idam protam
sutre mani-gana iva

Translation

O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.

#8

[QUOTE=Dwai;53372]BG 7.7

Text 7

mattah parataram nanyat
kincid asti dhananjaya
mayi sarvam idam protam
sutre mani-gana iva

Translation

O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.[/QUOTE]

AWESOME!
Thank you!!

#9

“The organs are the horses, the mind is the reins, the intellect is the charioteer, the soul is the rider, and the body is the chariot” (Swami Viv?kananda, Raja-Yoga, p168 )

#10

[QUOTE=suryadaya;53373]AWESOME!
Thank you!![/QUOTE]
The Mahabharata part:

Offer of aid in war for both Arjuna and Duryodhana
(Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 7) There is a large body of cowherds numbering ten lakhs, rivalling me in strength and known as the Narayanas, all of whom are able to fight in the thick of battle. These soldiers, irresistible in battle, shall be sent to one of you and I alone, resolved not to fight on the field, and laying down my arms, will go to the other. You may, first select whichever of these two commends itself to you.

Wikipedia can be very helpful (in most cases)