During a class, the questions a student asks tells the teacher how much the student is involved in the learning process. 

Arjuna’s questions in the Bhagavad-gita reveal him to be an exemplary student. Let’s consider some of his attributes seen through his questions. 

Unashamed eagerness to learn: Arjuna asks the Gita’s starting seminal question (02.07) — what is dharma, the right thing to do — on a battlefield in the middle of the two armies, when he is already expected to know and do the right thing. The very fact that Arjuna asks such a question shows that he is more concerned about becoming wise than about looking wise. 

Attentiveness in hearing: When Krishna concludes the sixteenth chapter (16.23-24) by describing two opposite options — those who faithlessly reject scripture and those who faithfully follow scripture — Arjuna immediately asks about the middle possibility (17.01): what about those who faithfully follow something other than scripture? 

Wanting clear understanding: When Krishna describes the state of self-realization (02.52-53), Arjuna wants to put a face to the idea or to translate the abstract concepts into visualizable examples. Hence his question about the characteristics of the self-realized (02.54).  

Seeking practically applicable guidelines: When Krishna mentions the state of consciousness beyond the three modes of material nature, Arjuna wants to attain that state; hence his immediate question about the process for transcending the modes (14.21). When Krishna declares the importance and glory of remembering him in the Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11), Arjuna asks how Krishna can be remembered while functioning in the world (10.17). 

No wonder Arjuna’s Gita study becomes spectacularly successful: his doubts are dispelled and he becomes ready to do Krishna’s will (18.73). 

One-sentence summary:

Arjuna’s questions in the Gita reveal how he is unashamedly eager to learn, hearing attentively, wanting clear understanding and seeking practically applicable guidelines. 

Think it over: 

  • What do a student’s questions tell a teacher about the student?
  • Which attributes of Arjuna are seen through his questions?
  • Which of Arjuna’s attributes can you emulate to make your Gita study more effective? 

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10.17: O Krishna, O supreme mystic, how shall I constantly think of You, and how shall I know You? In what various forms are You to be remembered, O Supreme Personality of Godhead?

To know more about this verse, please click on the image