Class Summary for Jan 21, 2018 - Chapter-1: 24-31

Summarized by Partha:

We did a recap of the previous slokas in Chapter-1 (Sloka-1 to 23)

Then we proceeded to Slokas-24 to 31.

These few verses start describing the emotions that overtake Arjuna as Krishna gets the chariot between both the armies at the behest of Arjuna. In his wisdom, Krishna bring the chariot closer to  Bheeshma & Drona than other kings assembled in the vast Kuru army.  Arjuna sees the entire army in front of him. In the army he sees his fatherly figures, grand fatherly figures, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends & fathers-in-law. 

The veneer of confidence of arrogance that made him 'command' Krishna to get the chariot closer to army was now removed. The anger that was directed against Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra made him eager to fight. Now, seeing so many of his closed and loved ones in the enemy line-up that could be collateral in his fury against Duryodhana, he gets overwhelmed with emotion.

Arjuna is also referred as 'Partha' - this could mean son of Pritha (Kunti) or someone is Mortal. In these few lines, his mortal side is accordingly getting depicted.
Arjuna seeing this laments that the assembled kinsmen are emotionally affecting him physically too. He limbs are weakening and mouth is drying up.

This set of verses show the beginning of emotional breakdown of Arjuna. The mind is getting disturbed and body loses its strength.  The trigger for this seems to the sight of his loved ones in the Kuru army. Maybe Krishna deliberately brought his chariot closer to Bheeshma and Drona to overwhelm or test Arjuna's mental capacity.
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Summarized by Inder:

Verse 24 - 26

Objective Meaning:

As requested by Arjuna, Krishna placed the chariot in between the two armies. Here Arjuna is referred to as Gudakesha meaning the one who has conquered sleep / laziness. Krishna Bhagwan is Hrishikesha, the one who has mastered the senses.

Krishna purposely placed the chariot infront of Bhishma & Drona and said to Arjuna to take a look at all the Kaurava's gathered on the battle field. Here Arjuna is also called as Partha meaning made of clay/earth(mortal).

Arjuna saw his Grandsires, teachers, kith and Kin in both armies which shook his confidence. 

Subjective meaning :

In life, when you take on any challenge, at some stage you will face confusion. The results will depend on how you deal with the confusion. Choose the path of good over pleasant.

Verse 27 - 31

Objective meaning:

These verses show lack of Arjuna's mental preparation before the war. As soon as he saw his kith and kin, he realized the full extent of sacrifice the society would have to make. This state of Arjuna's mind may have been the result of Dhritarashtra's clever message to him, before the start of the war, to consider the cost of winning the war by killing his near and dear ones.

Arjuna then tells Krishna about the physical changes he is noticing in himself like limbs failing, mouth parched, body quivers, the bow is slipping from his hand and his skin is burning. In this state of mental confusion, Arjuna's emotions have overcome his intellect and he has competely forgotten his duties and the evil deeds of the Kurus.

Subective meaning :

There will be times when self control will succumb to emotional tendencies.

Class Summary for Dec 3, 2017 - Chapter-1: 15 - 23

Summarized by Narayan Vishnubhotla:

We recapped the previously discussed shlokas – Chapter 1: Ver 12, 13, 14
Objective Analysis:
Up until now, Duryodhana was desperately attempting to boost the egos of the great warriors and
family patriarchs who have decided to side with him, either due to loyalty or due to compulsions, in the kurukshetra war.
But the very words that meant to boost the confidence was leading to despair among the assembled
warriors. Duryodhana began to sound defensive and was descending into a state of confusion.
Bhisma, sensing the despair, decided to jolt everyone from this state by blowing his war conch. For he knew that, if left alone, each of them would plunge more deep into despair and would eventually
become ineffective.

Subjective Analysis:
We could correlate the state of the warriors with our battle with tendencies. If let unhinged, we easily
get preoccupied with these tendencies and have a constant struggle in satisfying them. We are
compelled to act upon them. This preoccupation would eventually make us unproductive.
Bhisma’s action of blowing the conch can be correlated with our need for deep silence. We need to
silence the tendencies to limit the frequency of its occurrence and the resulting preoccupation. We need to bring out the absolute deep silence.

We continued our discussion by reviewing the verses 15, 16, 17, 18

Objective Analysis:
In these verses, Sanjaya continued to portray the environment that was slowly building up tension.
Krisna and Pandavas, one after the other started blowing their superior conches to let everyone know
that they are ready for the war. Sanjaya was very meticulously mentioning the names of each conch to emphasis pandava’s might.
Hrisikesa (Krisna) blew Pancajayana
Dananjaya (Arjuna) blew Devadatta
Vrkrodara(Bhima) blew Paundra
Yudhisthira blew Anantavijaya
Nakula blew Sugosa
Sahadeva blew manipuspaka
Sanjaya continued to describe a few of other great warriors who aligned with pandavas.

Subjective Analysis:
Sounds from the conches of pandavas can be correlated to mix of five elements
Sahadeva: Smell – Earth
Nakula: Taste – Water
Arjuna: Sight – Fire
Bhima: Touch – Air
Yudhistira: Hearing – Sky
Krisna’s conch sound is the absolute harmony of the elements.

Verses: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

Objective Analysis:
Up until now, through Sanjaya, Vyasa has set the stage for what is about to come. Sounds emanating
from conch’s of the great warriors sent tremble across. From this point on the main part of Bhagwat
Gita is about to begin.
Sanjaya continued to describe the might of Pandava’s maharathis and saradhis in the hope that
Dhrutharashtra realizes that his sons are no match to this might.
As in the modern days, there were markings that distinguished accomplished warriors from ordinary
soldiers. Chariots of these hero’s had flags with images to distinguish them. Arjuna had Kapi (Hanuman) on his flag.
Now that armies on both sides are ready in their war formations, Arjuna asks Krisna to take him to a  position from where he could review the enemy lines.

Subjective Analysis:
Vyasa’s description of each persona was to subtly indicate the state of the mind. For example, Kapi on Arjuna’s chariot flag can be correlated to state of Arjuna’s mind.
Just as kapi, our mind keeps wandering in many directions. This wandering compels us to act on these thoughts. Sometimes these actions give us satisfaction, but most times it leads to unhappiness if
desired outcomes are not realized.
This is where consciousness helps. Just as sound from krisna’s conch is considered absolute harmony,
consciousness helps you to control the kapi (wanderings).
Meditation helps mind to take a witness role to observe the thoughts and not to act on each one of
them or to be overcome by them.