Preview

Compare And Contrast Dharma And Arjuna

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
469 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Compare And Contrast Dharma And Arjuna
Essay Comparing Arjuna and Rama

Chris Brownlee
World Lit.
11/27/02

In the Indian epics the Bhagavad-Gita translated by Barbara Stoler-Miller and the Ramayana translated by R.K. Narayan there are two heroes, both faced with difficult decisions that at times completely contradict the hero's Dharma, or spiritual duty. The two heroes', Arjuna Rama are forced to deal with their difficulties in separate but not unlike ways.

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna has trouble fighting his friends and family to fulfill his dharma. His dharma says he must fight the people he loves to regain his rightful position. Arjuna is not sure he can fight his archery teacher and his Great Uncle because he should be respecting them instead of killing them. The following quote shows just how concerned he was. "Krishna, how can I fight against Bhishma and Drohma with arrows when they deserve my worship?" (Stanza 4 pg. 469) Rama too experiences a great deal of self-doubt about whether or not he will be capable of defeating Ravana and saving his wife Sita. …show more content…
As evidenced by this quote from Rama. " Matali, it may be that the Rakshasas have created this illusion for me. It may be a trap I don't know how to view it." (Paragraph 6 pg. 487) Rama must've been very worried when he could not accept a flying chariot as a gift. Rama was also provided magical weapons called Asthras to fight Ravana. Arjuna had a mental dispute to work out, so, as opposed to weapons from the gods they gave him advice from a mortal form of Krishna. This goes to show that both Hero's got divine
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Analysis
    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Analysis

    I chose Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad-Gita. This chapter is set in a battlefield where a war between the Kaurava’s and Pandava’s armies is about to take place. Just before the war begins Prince Arjuna sees that in both armies family members are present, both sides are made up of “fathers, grandfathers, teachers, brothers, uncles, sons, grandsons, in-laws and friends." Arjuna is overcome with grief and tells Krishna, who has taken the form of his charioteer, that he has no desire to fight and no need for a kingdom if it means killing his own family. Krishna tells Arjuna to get up and push forward for it is his duty as a warrior to fight this righteous war. When Arjuna questions this, Krishna explains that there is no such thing…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Bhagavad Gita on Krishnas Teachings
    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bhagavad Gita on Krishnas Teachings

    The story in the Bhagavad Gita with Arjuna and Krishna has many teachings of Krishna about renunciation, selfless services, and meditation. It’s also important why Arjuna doesn’t want to wage war. There are many things that Krishna tells Arjuna. All of this will be brought up throughout the essay.…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    What Is The Historical Context Of The Bhagavad Gita
    • 1767 Words
    • 8 Pages

    What Is The Historical Context Of The Bhagavad Gita

    In the video, Arjuna asks Krishna, who acts as his charioteer, to drive him to the center of the battlefield so that he may look upon the faces of his enemies. Although this small segment is fairly accurate, the actions that follow are fairly simplified and skewed. Once Arjuna realizes that his enemies are his mentors, teachers, relatives, and friends, he becomes very sad and claims he cannot fight against his own people, and he asks Krishna what he should do. Krishna responds by saying that there is no time to question Arjuna’s actions, he must not consider what the consequences of his action, it is his duty to fight, and consequences are secondary. By saying these words, the video portrays Krishna as somewhat careless. His words do not make him seem wise, and it seems as though he is basically telling Arjuna to fight without giving him a fair reason to do so. He then tells Arjuna that he cannot truly kill, for one cannot kill a soul. Once a body dies, the soul simply moves to a new body. Krishna instructs Arjuna to attain detachment and carry on with the battle. This whole scene does not do The Bhagavad Gita historical justice. It seems rushed and inaccurate. While one would actually have to read the entirety of The Bhagavad Gita to truly understand Arjuna’s struggle, a few key examples can be provided on information that should have been incorporated in the video for…

    • 1767 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hinduism
    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hinduism

    1. Read the account of Arjuna's dilemma in the Bhagavadgita. Write down two quotations from Arjuna's speech that you think most clearly express his concerns and insights.…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Krishna's World View
    • 1426 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Krishna's World View

    The Bhagavad Gita uses the conversation between Pandava Prince Arjuna and his guide Lord Krishna to portray Hinduism world view and Krishna’s view on the different fundamental questions. When he’s facing a war, Arjuna is guided by Krishna to be a selfless leader, and dedication to the cause.…

    • 1426 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Heroes In The Canterbury Tales And The Odyssey
    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Comparing Heroes In The Canterbury Tales And The Odyssey

    Heroes are the game changers in society, who create the misfortune and accomplishment through their efforts. Throughout time, heroes have been represented in a variety of different ways. The Canterbury Tales and the Odyssey both portray their heroes far different than the other. In addition, heroes from the fifteenth century may be considered villains in today’s society. In conclusion, heroes are viewed in different ways because of perspective, the time period, and their self morals.…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Ideal Hero Definition
    • 1167 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Ideal Hero Definition

    Now that we have set the specific standards of what it means to be an ideal hero, we can now discuss if Gawain and Beowulf fit the mold we have set. We will analyze the epic poems to see if Gawain and or Beowulf are heroes starting with the requirement of being…

    • 1167 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Oxymoron: Christianity Vs. Hinduism In The Ramayana
    • 1364 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Oxymoron: Christianity Vs. Hinduism In The Ramayana

    In the Ramayana we see the Hindu hero, Rama, who acts as the ideal Hindu throughout the story; for instance, he acts with a detachment to what happens to him. “Rama heard all of this praise and the people’s worshipful homage to him, with utter indifference as he drove along the royal road.” (2.17-18). During this quote Rama is on the way to be crowned the king and the crow is chanting his name; the author notes that he acts with detachment even in this exciting time. Then the crown is taken away from him and he is banished to the woods; even with his life in a tailspin he still acts with the same detachment that he acted with when the crowd what cheering his name. He acts with an extreme detachment to action throughout the work, which is one of the focal points of Hinduism as pointed out by the…

    • 1364 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ellen Degeneres Heroism
    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ellen Degeneres Heroism

    are two very completely different types heros in this world. But are very similar when it…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gilgamesh and Superman
    • 318 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh and Superman

    Gilgamesh is a hero on a quest for eternal life. Think of a modern-day hero- from the movies, television, or fiction - who also journeys in search of a goal. I chose Superman. Ok well, I have to write an essay comparing and contrasting Gilgamesh to Superman. I have to consider such factors as the nature of the goal, the difficulties that that must be overcome, the help, if any, that the hero receives, and the hero’s ultimate success or failure.…

    • 318 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Indian Societies: Gender roles in the Ramayana
    • 963 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Indian Societies: Gender roles in the Ramayana

    Male oriented societal values allowed little or no space for women to express their interests and be influential in their everyday lives. Women were traditionally expected to serve their husbands and to have no autonomous interests. Only men could be rulers and leaders in the patriarchal society where the story of the Ramayana developed. Rama once said on his designation as prince regent: "Mother, my father has appointed me to the task of protecting the people" (Mack 584). This passage clearly illustrates how power was transferred from father to son in order to provide for the people's needs and for the community as a whole. Rama then as a leader of society must enforce values among others and express his desire to bring remarkable attributes to the people that surround him. "Sovereignty falls to your share, too, for you are my second self" (585). The need for a sovereign ruler is thus expressed among the community and desired for all individuals in the society.…

    • 963 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dharma in Buddhism and Hinduism
    • 983 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Dharma in Buddhism and Hinduism

    The beginning of this class consists of two sections, Hinduism and Buddhism, both of which we have learned a lot about. Within these religions we see some differences and some similarities that one could relate the two with, and one of those is the term Dharma. When examining Dharma in both Hinduism and Buddhism, people may notice that they are somewhat similar, but they will also see that there even more differences within this term. To better understand this term, we must first define it within the religion and then see what they have in common with one another, if anything at all, and finally notice where the big differences are between them.…

    • 983 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gilgamesh vs. Achilles
    • 1005 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Gilgamesh vs. Achilles

    Back in the days of ancient Greece and before this time, epic heros have had their lives chronicled and the stories of them passed on from generation to generation, all the way to our present day in our lives. Two of the greatest heros that have been expressed in past epic stories were Gilgamesh from the epic named after him, and Achilles from Homer’s Iliad. The two of their stories however, transpired in two different eras, their lives both had a surprising number of common points. Of course with things in common, there always comes differences, in the way they lived and the ideals they believed in.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Does Arjuna Want To Fight?
    • 299 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Does Arjuna Want To Fight?

    Base on the document, Arjuna doesn't want to fight because he doesn't understand why he has to shed his family's blood for a kingdom that he doesn't even want part of and he sees killing as an evil act, but…

    • 299 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Ethical Inner Voices Of Socrates And Arjuna
    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Ethical Inner Voices Of Socrates And Arjuna

    The war required Arjuna to fight against his family, friends, teachers and elders. Arjuna said, “My limbs sink, my mouth is parched, my body trembles, the hair bristles on my flesh. The magic bow slips from my hand, my skin burns, I cannot stand still, my mind reels. I see omens of chaos, Krishna; I see no good in killing my kinsman in battle” (Kessler). The law of karma states that positive acts reap positive results and negative acts reap negative results: “what you sow, so shall you reap” (Kessler). Samsara is a cycle of rebirth, death and suffering. While Arjuna knew that it was his duty to fight, in the war he feared that the act of killing his kinsman would adversely affect his karma and he would not be able to escape the cycle of samsara. Krishna tells Arjuna that as a warrior, it was his duty to fight. Arjuna was torn between his values and his duty to fight in the…

    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics