The Bhagavad-Gita: A Case Study in Vedic Psychology - Maharishi ...

MODERN SCIENCE AND VEDIC SCIENCE
every individual on earth can succeed in it, and in this way make unnecessary all the petty
complexities and innumerable sufferings in life (pp. 263-264).
After approximately two hours of interaction, Arjun is ready to resume his role as the
leading warrior of his army. Maharishi notes that during this period of time Arjun has
gained from Lord Krishn the knowledge and direct experience of Yog—"union" or
enlightenment.
Arjun learns from Lord Krishn that before enlightenment one is never able to determine
all of the rights and wrongs of action; and that the key to performing right action
is to establish one's awareness in the field of pure consciousness, in the state of yog or
union, and then act. (Please refer to the following article in this series on Maharishi
Vedic Psychology for a detailed discussion of this principle.) Only action from the level
of the unified field of natural law is capable of creating the most evolutionary effect for
the actor and the whole environment.
The Interaction Between Lord Krishn and Arjun
As analyzed by Maharishi, the interaction between Lord Krishn and Arjun, and Lord
Krishna's method of counseling Arjun, illustrate three important characteristics of Lord
Krishna's skill in bringing Arjun directly to enlightenment. These points in this case
study illustrate profound and practical principles of Maharishi Vedic Psychology.
First, the knowledge of enlightenment is portrayed as coming from a representative
of the timeless Vedic tradition to a fully receptive seeker. Maharishi (1967) has
pointed out that the knowledge of the full development of consciousness can be
gained most effectively when the one seeking knowledge is receptive to a teacher who
can speak from the level of enlightenment, from the vantage point of full human
development (p. 303).
Lord Krishna's stature is unveiled in stages as the Bhagavad-Gita progresses, yet his
quiet mastery of the events around him is displayed from the beginning of the work.
This mastery is indicated by the fact that with a few words, Lord Krishn brings Arjun to
seek guidance. Lord Krishna's evenness in adversity is also brought out before he
begins to teach Arjun. To Arjun, who was "sorrowing in the midst of the two armies,
Hrishikesha [Lord Krishn] smilingly spoke" (II. 10). As the armies draw up for battle
and the hero of his army is lost in despair, Lord Krishn is shown as smiling to Arjun.
Thus, Lord Krishn is portrayed as established in evenness, a primary attribute of
enlightenment. He is also identified later as specifically representing the timeless Vedic
tradition and as fully embodying the field of pure consciousness.
Once Arjun turns to Lord Krishn for guidance, the whole flow of knowledge of the
Bhagavad-Gita begins, illustrating the importance of the state of receptivity in the aspirant
for knowledge of enlightenment. With a highly receptive learner, as fully exemplified
by Arjun, knowledge given can be absorbed without loss of information or distortion.
As Maharishi (1967) explains, when the teacher is enlightened—giving expression
to the unified field of natural law—and the listener is fully receptive, the minds of the
two begin to flow together on the same level of cosmic intelligence. In this relationship
the seeker can quickly rise to the level of enlightenment (p. 303).
A second important principle of the interaction between Lord Krishn and Arjun,
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