Chatur-Shloki Gita illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship – The Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11) can be analyzed in terms of what devotees do for Krishna (10.08-09)  and what Krishna does for devotees (10.10-11). Let’s see how this dynamic plays out in the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna. 

When Krishna descends to this world, his divinity isn’t always manifest equally to everyone; he reveals himself in reciprocation to how they approach him (04.11). The overall flavor of the Krishna-Arjuna relationship is of friendship. Though Arjuna is aware of Krishna’s divinity, their friendship often pushes that awareness into the background for him. 

When the Kurukshetra battle is about to begin, Arjuna becomes overwhelmed at the prospect of the impending fratricide and loses his will to fight, as illustrated in the Gita’s first chapter (01.46). Krishna speaks the Gita to help bring Krishna’s divinity into the foreground of Arjuna’s consciousness. This helps him to see the war as a divine plan, wherein Arjuna is meant to be an instrument for Krishna (11.33). This explanation convinces Arjuna to determinedly do Krishna’s will (18.73), thus illustrating the Chatur-Shloki’s first verse: those who know Krishna’s supreme position wholeheartedly devote themselves to him (10.08). 

During the subsequent war and thereafter, Arjuna offers his entire being to Krishna, thus illustrating Gita 10.09: devotees serve Krishna with their mind, body and words. Throughout the war, Krishna provides Arjuna game-changing guidance, thus illustrating Gita 10.10: Krishna gives devotees the wisdom to come to him. 

Later, when Krishna departs from the world, it leaves Arjuna devastated (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15). Krishna from within his heart solaces him by reminding him of the Gita’s message, thus illustrating Gita 10.11: indwelling Krishna dissipates the darkness in devotees’ hearts. 

One-sentence summary:

The Chatur-Shloki’s description of bhakti-yoga as a personal reciprocation between divinity and humanity is vividly illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship. 

Think it over:

  • How does the Krishna-Arjuna relationship illustrate Gita 10.08?
  • Can you think of any specific incident from Mahabharata that illustrates Gita 10.10?
  • How does Bhagavatam (1.15) illustrate Gita 10.11?

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10.10: To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.

Chatur-Shloki Gita illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship

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