In another age and clime

In a place held sacred and divine,
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra
The Great War to commence.

Soldiers in expert military formations
Famous heroes with resolute determination,
Arjuna, peerless among archers, beheld in the enemies’ line
A sight most troubling to his mind.

Saw his Guru, kinsmen and elders in the enemies’ ranks
His heart in despair and sorrow sank,
Famed Gandiva bow from his hand fell
As if in witness to deep anguish felt.

In the arena of decisiveness and blazing action
Arjuna overwhelmed in melancholy and sad reflection.
To Bhagwan Shri Krishna, charioteer and dear friend
He uttered reasons this unwanted war to condemn.

No victory worthy, no duty compelling
When there is slaughter of relatives and friends,
Only ruin and sin can accrue
If he must wage this war in truth.

And so mighty Arjuna, scorcher of foes
With opportunity so rare and splendid,
To slay oppressors cruel and wicked
Decided not to fight.

But his sorrow and despair he could not put to flight
Could fathom no relief in sight,
From this sudden unbearable plight.
In the very depths of utter despair and losing all composure
Arjuna lifted up his heart to Govinda,
In supplication and complete surrender.

To the Universal Teacher a disciple seeking guidance
Imploring his fears and doubts be put to silence,
The shackles be broken of his illusions
His path to action clear in all situations.

Arjuna’s desperate cry for freedom
Became Govinda’s opportunity for man’s deliverance,
Through knowledge absolute, imperishable, purifying and clear
To dispel dense darkness of ignorance and fear,
Ever clouding man’s intelligence
Root cause of suffering and miserable existence.

A clarion call to man
When held captive to Maya’s command,
At the crossroads of life no clear path to discern
When the whole bottom seems to have fallen from his life,
Then seeking release from chains forged with his own hands
Like Arjuna, must he turn to Govinda.

And as clear as day it will be seen
That man is only defeated,
When life’s battles he quits
And happiness can be found only within himself.

Cecil Ramkirath,

Bayonne, NJ, USA