Lessons and Morals in Indian Literature
There are many stories, legends, and religious texts in Indian literature that attempt to teach its reader lessons and morals. In many of these literary works, there is a teacher, known as a guru, who tries to offer guidance in spiritual and philosophical matters. "The Yoga of Knowledge,aE? an excerpt from the Bhagavad-Gita, tells the story of Arjuna, a mighty worrier, and Krishna, his charioteer and brother-in-law. Arjuna, reluctant to fight against his own blood, is torn between his morals and his duties. Through words of wisdom and methods known as nonattached work, Karma Yoga, and reincarnation, Krishna convinces Arjuna that one should fight in a war without worrying about the consequences or side effects. Krishna can be considered a guru in this story, and he teaches valuable life lessons to Arjuna. At the beginning of "The Yoga of Knowledge,aE? Arjuna is
frustrated and confused. Even though he knows that it is wrong to kill his family members who are on the fighting on the opposite side, Arjuna also knows that it is his duty to fight. Krishna explains to Arjuna that "Just as the dweller in this body passes through childhood, youth and old age, so at death he merely passes into another kind of bodyaE? (176). This belief in reincarnation allows Atman, the eternal and unchanging soul in every conscious being, to be eternal. Krishna continues to say, "Bodies are said to die, but That which possesses the body is eternalaE? (177). Krishna compares the human body to a worn-out garment that can be tossed out, but the soul remains eternal. Through this lesson, Arjuna is taught that he Indian literature offers many lessons and teachings about life morals and values. Usually these lessons are taught by a guru, a personal
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Approximate Word count = 585
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)
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