The coromandel express is a flagship super fast train of the Indian Railways that runs on a daily basis from Chennai to Howrah in Kolkata. One man got onto the train at Vizag station. Standing in the aisles he saw two co-passengers playing a game of chess.
The younger player was in a difficult situation and about to admit defeat when the man in the isles pointed out there is one move possible. The younger player invited him to take his place.
This man made a deft move that changed the complexion of the game. Soon he was in the wanted position and he forced his opponent into checkmate. The younger player complimented him on the beautiful move that he had made.
He responded: “In life no matter how challenging our circumstances may be rather than losing hope we should search for that one move that can open the gateways to a brighter future”.
In Chess, one can be forced into a checkmate situation but never in life because the supreme lord Shri Krishna who can make all things happen is sitting within the hearts of all living beings. When all seems lost we should pray to him for inspiration and wisdom and that is what Arjun did in the battle of Mahabharata when he was confounded by the situation he was in!
Arjun said: “My mouth is drying up in fear, my knees are trembling in dread, my hair is standing on end and my famous Gandiv bow is slipping from my hands in sheer terror.
However, in that situation, he approached Lord Krishna for the wisdom on what the right move for him was in the moment and when Lord Krishna revealed divine knowledge to him at the end of the Bhagavad-Gita Arjun exclaimed: “My doubts are dispelled and now I am situated in knowledge by your grace”.
Arjun was extremely fortunate because in front of him the supreme Lord was present in person. It’s highly likely we are not that fortunate because this is not the “Avatar Kaal” but the same Shri Krishna who spoke the Bhagavad-Gita is sitting in our hearts and we can always pray to him for inspiration.
Besides his very words of wisdom are available to us even today in the form of the Bhagavad Gita.
As the Gita says: “We all feel uncomfortable when we are confused because it is not the natural condition of the soul. This feeling of discontent if properly channelled can become a powerful impetus to search for true knowledge.
The appropriate resolution of doubt helps a person acquire a deeper understanding than before. Thus God sometimes deliberately puts a person in turmoil so that he or she may be forced to search for knowledge to address the confusion and when the doubt is finally resolved one reaches a higher level of understanding”.
This is the commentary on verse 2.2 of the Bhagavad-Gita. That is why the first chapter of the Gita is so intelligently titled ‘Arjun Vishaad Yog’. Arjun was lamenting that was the ‘vishad’ but the lamentation, the confusion, the doubt became a springboard for enlightenment.
The enlightenment was the Yog.
There used to be an old-time comedy series called the three stooges one of the students would start screaming I cannot see. The other would ask why not. He would say because my eyes are closed. The other would then bop him on the head which would oblige him to open his eyes and he would say ah now I can see.
So when things seem very difficult just ponder to determine is there another option in this situation.
The story of Alice in the wonderland that continues to be popular over the ages as this episode where the queen of hearts proclaimed for Alice off with her head and Alice was so bewildered my life is coming to an end when all of a sudden she realized ah you are only a pack of cards, she dismissed them and they all fell down.
Likewise when things seem so difficult to you just stand back and think is it so important as my mind is making it out to be and its intensity will reduce and the option of turning to the Bhagavad-Gita for wisdom is always there with us.