Gita 02.07 Seek First To Understand The Question To Best Understand The Answer

Audio Link 1: https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/gita-02-07-seek-first-to-understand-the-question-to-best-understand-the-answer/

kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ
pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ
yac chreyaḥ syān niścitaṁ brūhi tan me
śiṣyas te ’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam (Bhagavad-gītā 2.7)

In this verse, Arjuna tells Kṛṣṇa, “I surrender to you.” This verse defines a pivotal moment in the Bhagavad-gītā, capturing the essence of its teachings. It defines the crux, the core message, and the underlying purpose of the dialogue that follows.

When someone provides a comprehensive answer to a question that covers various aspects, it is essential first to understand what the original question was. Suppose we join a class during a question-and-answer session, or we receive a QA recording where the question is unclear or inaudible. If we begin by listening to the answer without understanding the question, we will struggle to grasp the essence of the response fully.

To understand the core of an answer and identify its essential point, it is crucial to know the question it addresses. Without this context, interpreting the answer becomes fragmented and ineffective.

While we may appreciate individual points from the response, liking one idea or another, we cannot piece them together into a coherent whole without understanding the question being addressed. To truly comprehend the answer, we must first focus on the question it seeks to resolve.

If someone has asked a complex question and we have not understood it, straining to comprehend the answer will not be very helpful. While we may gain some knowledge from the response, we will lack a clear understanding of what the question is addressing. Without grasping the question, we cannot fully appreciate the context or significance of the answer.

Therefore, it is vital for us to first understand the question being answered. The more we focus on clearly understanding the question and then proceed to the answer, the better equipped we will be to move forward in life and gain a proper understanding of the subject at hand.

This is the mood with which the Gītā approaches us here. It presents the question that defines the entire conversation—pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ—”I am asking you, what is dharma?” To the extent we understand this question—that Arjuna seeks to know dharma—we can move forward in discussing the Gītā.

The Bhagavad-gītā is fundamentally about understanding dharma. It explores what we are truly seeking in life, what we want to know, and what constitutes our greatest privilege and responsibility. It addresses profound questions—What am I meant to do in life? What is life meant for? How can I live in harmony with my purpose and place in this world?

For example, imagine being recruited into a large company without being assigned a specific role—without clarity, we wouldn’t know what to do. Similarly, in life, if we don’t understand our position or purpose, we cannot move forward meaningfully.

When Arjuna asks Kṛṣṇa about dharma, he is essentially seeking guidance on what he is meant to do. In the first chapter, we saw Arjuna grappling with this question—what is my dharma? As a kṣatriya, his dharma is to fight against aggressors, but as a protector of his lineage, his kula-dharma urges him to preserve his dynasty. Conflicted between these two dharmas, Arjuna turns to Kṛṣṇa for clarity.

The entire Gītā provides various frameworks and perspectives to analyze and ultimately understand dharma, helping us navigate our responsibilities and purpose in life.

Arjuna finds his life in a state of catastrophic disorder. He has no idea how to restore order or stability. Everything seems to have gone so wrong that whatever action he considers appears to bring more trouble.

He is unsure of what action to take that would genuinely protect him from further difficulties and enable him to move forward. Arjuna wants to act in a way that does not leave him negatively overwhelmed, disturbed, or distressed. He seeks a path that avoids getting entangled in temporary or superficial matters, allowing him to focus on what truly matters.

Arjuna recognizes that he needs to understand his fundamental, foundational duty and the identity upon which to discern this duty. After all, we cannot discern our duty without a proper sense of identity. Our identity defines our responsibilities, and only by understanding who we are can we determine what we are meant to do.

Even the awareness of a lack of knowledge is a level of knowledge. For instance, if someone is blind but unaware of their blindness, they risk falling into dangerous situations and creating significant trouble for themselves. However, if they recognize their condition and understand their circumstances, they can navigate life with awareness and move forward effectively. Without this realization, they remain unable to take any constructive steps.

Similarly, for each of us, when we do not know what we are meant to do in life, it sparks a process of inquiry. This inquiry helps us discover our purpose and understand our responsibilities.

This is the knowledge that the Bhagavad-gītā provides to Arjuna, guiding him toward clarity and a deeper understanding of what he is meant to do.

Thank you.