Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Om Namo Vasudevaya Namah:

The general perception has been that, The Bhagavad Gita is something one reads when one has nothing better to do, maybe in the old age. Till then focus was to be on academics, job/business, accumulating wealth and setting up a lifestyle, marriage, children, their education etc . These were considered the essence of a successful living.
How wrong that perception was and is.
In fact the definition of success itself was wrong. While it is aspirational and great to have all the above, it is important to be happy and at peace with self. The Bhagavad Gita is called the life manual, which is true. Period. It is as if we are operating our life without even opening the manual.
It was a golden opportunity to be able to enroll for Satishji’s classes and be able to attend them. We have just completed the 4th session. What I like about these classes is the sincerity and simplicity with which Satishji takes us through the journey, without making it sound like preaching, so we individually get closer to the eternal truth. Complex concepts are explained in a simple manner. He takes everyone along and encourages participants to speak up, ask questions, share experiences during and even after the sessions, creating a like-minded community. Despite being extremely knowledgeable, he is humble and behaves like one among us, which is an endearing quality. He lets us absorb and understand concepts by asking questions. By asking questions, self-enquiry, introspection, reflection, observation and application the understanding is deeper than any other way. I respect him tremendously.

The first chapter is called Vishaada Yog, relating to the grief of Arjun over his realization that in order to do what his Dharm is, he will have to mercilessly kill all those he holds close to his heart. Though the war had been planned for over a decade, when the moment was before him, he became weak and gave up. Fortunately for him, he had Lord Krishn as his charioteer to open up the “Satya”, the Truth for him. Through Arjun, the fortunate among us also get to see the Param Satya. This knowledge itself is liberating, to a certain extent. 
Chapter 1 starts with the blind king Dhritarashtra enquiring about what was happening on the battlefield, perhaps knowing that his sons were in the wrong, denying the Pandavas their right and that they could be decimated in no time in the war. It has also brought out the irony that all the mighty warriors, like Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya though loved the Pandavas and knew they were morally right, were bound by their loyalty to the Kauravas. The chapter proceeds further with blowing of conches on both sides, a survey of each other’s strengths and Arjun wanting to go to the centre of the battlefield where he loses his nerve and refuses to fight. Arjun pleads Ahimsa, though he has killed many in wars before this war. There are many symbolic learnings here, but the main learning is that the grief, pain, conflict and the resulting dilemma is because of Me, My and Mine on one side and others on one side. Many answers will appear and mysteries unfold.
With Satishji, we have started an amazing journey and we know that this is going to be transformational. Strongly recommended for a lighter and fearless living.