An analysis of Arjuna and Odysseus, heroes of "The Bhagavad-Gita" and "The Odyssey," who, although from vastly different cultures, reveal through their heroic roles the quest of all human beings for identity.
Abstract Two epic heroes of vastly different cultures search for identity, representing all human kind. In the similarly chaotic worlds Arjuna, hero of "The Bhagavad-Gita", and Odysseus, hero of "The Odyssey", learn about themselves in depth and come to terms with death, war and the afterlife, revealing that heroism in these two worlds is quite similar. This paper examines the major differences in their responses to the challenges of their respective quests, their relationship to their gods.
From the Paper "Two ancient epic poems, The Bhagavad-Gita and The Odyssey, from vastly different cultures, reveal the ongoing search of the human race to understand the significance of the self and humanity's role in a world it cannot comprehend. In both these epics the quest for the individual human's sense of self is presented in the form of the hero metaphor in which a larger than life figure takes on the symbolic search for identity. Arjuna and Odysseus, the heroes of the two epics, both strive to bring order to the everyday chaos of the human world. In many ways the quests are similar. Central to both epics is the way their heroes struggle to discover what their relationship to the gods has to do with their identity. The major difference between Odysseus and Arjuna in the quest for identity, arises from their contrasting cultural conceptions of the gods, those superhuman forces, and how they influence, control, or guide mortal men."
Abstract This paper shows how "The Bhagavad Gita"'s main character, Arjuna, must make a decision about whether or not to fight and why. The Bhagavad Gita is writings about Lord Krishna and his power. It shows how only Lord Krishna can help provide answers. The writer provides an analysis of these moral struggles and themes which constitute the major focus of the novel.
From the Paper "War is a powerful experience. How many individuals have had to take their places on the bloody front of killing and wonder what exactly their actions will result in? For one man, Arjuna, these moral issues of killing his kinsmen and pondering the resulting state of his spiritual well-being are paralyzing. War, he realizes, not only involves the "simple" act of physically taking lives, but it also affects the deeper universal soul, or Ātmā. What should he do? What should he think? Who should he seek help from? These answers and many more come in the form of his God, Krishna, the ultimate source of clarity for Arjuna in his crippling confusion."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the book "Bhagavad Gita". The writer maintains that the book looks at the distinction between the temporary material body and the eternal spiritual soul and characteristics of the self-realized person. The writer points out that from the beginning of this religious work to the end, the character Arjuna grew from a person who was overcome by the trappings of life to the understanding that the way that he conducts his life is all important for this world and the next. The writer further discusses that the book relates not only to how Arjuna should conduct himself, but to how one should do so to this day, as well.
From the Paper "This can be done, further explains Krishna, through the practice of meditation. Arjuna, however, questions how a defected mind can actually meditate. Here, as the entire Bhagavad Gita, the emphasis is on education. It is not possible to immediately reach a meditative state--the mind is difficult to restrain. So, it takes much practice and continual renunciation.
Once individuals are in this meditative state, they can see things they never could before, because of the constraints of the lower states of mind. It is possible, for example to see God in the here and now, as long as one stops a fascination for the various objects of the world. However, it is only when people love God can they become open to see him in all. This trip starts with seeing God and then ends in the state of 'being' God."
Analyzes this Indian Hindu epic, focusing on education and the spiritual development of the character of the warrior prince Arjuna, disciple of Krishna.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 10 sources, 1999, $ 79.95
Abstract Arjuna is an important character and presence in the Indian epic the Mahabharata, and he is a member of the main family whose actions serve as the centerpiece of this epic. The Mahabharata is the oldest of the great epics of Hindu literature and is the longest poem ever written, with 100,000 stanzas arranged in 18 books.
From the Paper "INTRODUCTION
Arjuna is an important character and presence in the Indian epic the Mahabharata, and he is a member of the main family whose actions serve as the centerpiece of this epic. The Mahabharata is the oldest of the great epics of Hindu literature and is the longest poem ever written, with 100,000 stanzas arranged in 18 books. The work is actually a compilation of material from a number of sources from different periods, and there may have been earlier versions of varying lengths. There is no single version of the work today because not all of it has been translated and released, and the text is under restoration at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Poona, India, with successive portions of the text having been edited and published from there since 1927. The work in its present form dates from about the ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the Bhagavad-Gita's philosophy of reconciliation of divinity with earthly responsibility. It discusses how the Bhagavad-Gita, the first-century B.C. Hindu Sanskrit poem describes salvation in the afterlife as described by Krishna (God) to the Pandava warrior Arjuna on the eve of an important battle. The paper describes the lessons learned from the poem.
From the Paper "Arjuna's fighting in this battle then, which he wishes, rationally, not to do but which Krishna illustrates that he must, is but a part of the multiple cycles of life and death that the warrior prince has yet to complete on the way, ultimately, to his final state of nirvana. While Krishna does not deny to Arjuna the importance of earthly rationality, Krishna nevertheless shows Arjuna how Arjuna's current resistance to fighting on this battlefield, based on earthly attachment, must be overcome in order to eventually reach nirvana, the ultimate spiritual state of mind within which all further reincarnations cease."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of the classic Vedic text, "The Mahabharata". The author discusses how and where the codes of moral honor and worldview are perceived in respect to their structure within the Hindu society. The story demonstrates various forms of codes, where the role of honor, and women's places are defined, and how leading a spiritual and moral life is the ultimate goal. The paper includes a detailed outline.
From the paper:
"The worldview as is presented in the classic Hindi epic, "The Mahabharata" of moral and philosophical values still hold true today. "The Mahabharata" is considered to be an ideal source for examining the qualities found within Indian society. A sense of mortality is presented in many aspects of the text as we refer to the societies of the kuru and the Pandu dynasties of India. A Religious/philosophical teaching of Dharma is to live the path of our life that has been chosen for us. The independent elements of the early Indian society displayed in the Vedic text is more than just a story of Arjuna; but key elements to how world view is portrayed with emphasis on the values presented therein and the role of women in the work."
Tags: english, hindu, indan, liturature, mythology, world, gods, hindi
From the Paper "This study will examine the central teaching of the Bhagavadgita with respect to the role of action. The study will consider this teaching in general and as it addresses the tragic dimensions of Arjuna's situation and the situation of the average human being.
There are two distinct aspects of action which are spelled out in the Gita and which apply to the situation of Arjuna and to any human being, in the view of the authors of the work. As editors Radhakrishna and Moore write, "In the Gita the Supreme is at once the transcendental, the cosmic, and the individual reality. In its transcendental aspect the Supreme is the pure Self unaffected by any action or experience, detached, and unconcerned. In its dynamic aspect, it not only supports but also governs the whole cosmic action. The same Supreme which is one..."
Abstract The paper explores the effects of a religious text, the Bhagavad Gita, on social stratification in India. Observations are made on the way in which the book communicates with its reader and some of the literary techniques used to instill in its readers the religious ideas.
From the Paper "The Bhagavad-Gita is widely regarded as one of the most influential and intimate glimpses into the Hindu religion. The Bhagavad-Gita is book six of a grand epic poem called the Mahabharata, which recounts a story of a war between two clans of a royal family. Specifically, the Bhagavad-Gita tells of a great warrior, Arjuna, who is hesitant to go to battle against members of his own family. Arjuna is advised by the Hindu god Krishna to overlook this obvious obstacle and fulfill his duty as a warrior. Indeed, this concentration on duty and moral code is consistent throughout the text. One might then be compelled to ask how the Bhagavad-Gita instills in its followers the moral code and values that it preaches and what sort of effect this text had on the class system in India. Upon a closer examination of the text, it becomes clear that the Bhagavad-Gita is a story meant to justify the rigid class system and maintain social stability in India through its emphasis on duty and moral code."
