Changes

== Background of the Gita ==

== Background of the Gita ==

The Gita begins with the words of Dhritarashtra. <blockquote>धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः । मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय ॥१-१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 1].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca | dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ । māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata saṁjaya ॥1-1॥</blockquote>Meaning: Dhritarashtra said: What did the sons of Pandu and also my people do when they had assembled together, eager for battle on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?<ref name=":0" />

The Gita begins with the words of Dhritarashtra. <blockquote>धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः । मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय ॥१-१॥<ref name=":2">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 1].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca | dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ । māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata saṁjaya ॥1-1॥</blockquote>Meaning: Dhritarashtra said: What did the sons of Pandu and also my people do when they had assembled together, eager for battle on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?<ref name=":0" />

It is said that, when both sides were prepared to commence the battle, the sage Veda Vyasa approached blind Dhritarashtra and said, “If you wish to see this terrible carnage with your own eyes I can give you the gift of vision.” The Kaurava king replied, “O Chief of the Brahmarishis! I have no desire to see with my own eyes this slaughter of my family, but I should like to hear all the details of the battle.”

It is said that, when both sides were prepared to commence the battle, the sage Veda Vyasa approached blind Dhritarashtra and said, “If you wish to see this terrible carnage with your own eyes I can give you the gift of vision.” The Kaurava king replied, “O Chief of the Brahmarishis! I have no desire to see with my own eyes this slaughter of my family, but I should like to hear all the details of the battle.”

Here, Kurukshetra, the place of battle is referred to as Dharmakshetra. Sri Velukudi in his discourse, gives the etymology as follows:<blockquote>धर्मक्षयात् त्रायते इति धर्मक्षेत्रम् । dharmakṣayāt trāyate iti dharmakṣetram ।</blockquote>Meaning: That which saves Dharma from getting destroyed.

Here, Kurukshetra, the place of battle is referred to as Dharmakshetra. Sri Velukudi in his discourse, gives the etymology as follows:<blockquote>धर्मक्षयात् त्रायते इति धर्मक्षेत्रम् । dharmakṣayāt trāyate iti dharmakṣetram ।</blockquote>Meaning: That which saves Dharma from getting destroyed.

Also, the question posed by Dhritarashtra here, 'what his sons and Pandavas who have gone to wage war , are doing ?' is vital. Though it seems like an oxymoron, it has to be understood that it was Dhritarashtra's anxiety about Kauravas losing that made him raise this question. That is why Dhritarashtra is considered blind not just by sight, but also ignorant to jnana (knowledge). For, even though he knew that the Kauravas were at fault and were the sole reason for the war, he was blinded by the love for his sons.<ref name=":1" />  

Also, the question posed by Dhritarashtra here, 'what his sons and Pandavas who have gone to wage war , are doing ?' is vital. Though it seems like an oxymoron, it has to be understood that it was Dhritarashtra's anxiety about Kauravas losing that made him raise this question. That is why Dhritarashtra is considered blind not just by sight, but also ignorant to jnana (knowledge). For, even though he knew that the Kauravas were at fault and were the sole reason for the war, he was blinded by the love for his sons.<ref name=":1" />

== श्लोकविवेचनम् ॥ Discussion on the Shlokas ==  

 

== श्लोकविवेचनम् ॥ Discussion on the Shlokas ==

== References ==

== References ==