Brave

Here is an extract from Maggi Lidchi Grassi's version of the Mahabharata (the best work I believe, to understand truth and let all the lies fall off----I shall leave this for another time, space and medium to explore ;-) now getting on), that I'd written down from the books that found me about a year ago because it felt good AND it felt right. Reading it again now, I see why. I see more meaning in it and feel it's worth sharing it here now that I understand better and see value in that feeling :-) So, here you go!


Scene 1
Context: Arjuna in his visit to his Greatfather for some solace after he found out that the Karna (his life-long enemy) that he killed in the battle, was in truth his eldest brother.

Do you remember in the forest you said, "Wait your exile out for thirteen years before you think of fighting. Then Dharma will be with you."
When Krishna came, he said, "Fight now!"

He looked at me with deep-set, glowing eyes that filled the sky, the universe.

"I gave you of my knowledge. What else can anybody give? I walk within my Dharma. Krishna is free of Dharma as humans understand it."
After a pause he said, "It will not work to act as if we are free if we are not unless... unless..."

He waved his hand towards the river. I waited for him to finish. He did not.

I prompted him.
"Unless..."

"You see the river," he said.
"It has no self. It gives itself and does not know it gives itself. If you annihilate the self that thinks it is doing, then you can act within this Freedom. If you can be the arrow that Krishna lets fly, then that is Freedom. Without that, each one of us must walk within his human Dharma."
"Arjuna, just as you have lived obsessed with Karna, he lived with you. All these years you have lived in each other like brothers in one womb. You were too close."

"When Balarama taught you wrestling, he spoke to you of body-eyes. When they are working, you do not have to think. And when you see with the eyes of your soul, you do not have to think."

He got up.

I took the dust from his feet and gazed upon the retreating figure.
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Scene 2
Context: Uttara, Arjuna's daughter-in-law to Arjuna in compassion; when teary-eyed guilt-ridden Arjuna went to see her after the battle where he lost his son and she, her husband.

She said, "Do you know who the bravest people are?... Warriors who save the lives of other warriors in battle may be brave but those who give courage through telling of their fear are by far the braver."
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SO! Coming back to the real world of now;
Hmmm...
If I've gotta be brave, that's one kind of a brave I'd like to be!

How 'bout you? What kinds of brave are you reminded of?

I am reminded now of another: To be brave enough to seek, follow and speak your own truth; moment-to-moment.

And this film.

And I'll stop and leave some room for your own individual thoughts. I've loaded you enough already.
Shh.


2 comments:

  1. I also think bravery is following your heart when it's much easier to follow your head. Just something I've always thought :)

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    Replies
    1. Heyyy! That's a really good one. For expanding ze horizons, nothing beats sharing of thoughts. So, thank you and Salute!

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