Power in the Present
The Philosophy of Vyasa
Vyasa is the genius behind the epic of Mahabharata, one of the greatest pieces of lore and literature in human history. A section of his famous work was so influential that it became the primary philosophical pillar of Hinduism, an exchange of dialogues between two characters called the Bhagavad Gita. The Mahabharata explores a multitude of different philosophies regarding everything and anything both within and beyond the human experience. However, the Bhagavad Gita is much more intimate and remains centrally focus on the individual.
The Gita is the exchange of dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna during the battle of Kurukshetra. Krishna is the eight avatar of Vishnu, one of the big three gods, whose role is to preserve. Arjuna is a demi god, part of the band of brothers called the Pandavas, and a famed archer.
A guilt struck Arjuna confesses to Krishna who is his charioteer (literally and figuratively guiding him) that going to war against his own kin feels wrong and disgusting. Despite the numerous plots of court, and attempts on the lives of him and his brothers, he still wishes not to fight his cousins and their allies. He argues that some of his “enemies” would not even be his enemies if it was not for circumstances and the need for them to honor their alliances with his real enemies. As for the real enemies, despite all the gruesome history between them, he wished not to take their life since they are his blood relatives. This battle is a pointless bloodbath, and Arjuna does not want to be a part of it.
However, Krishna believes different. He teaches Arjuna many lesson but the most prominent one being that as a warrior who has stepped into the battlefield it is his duty to fight his enemies and defend his allies. The time for resolution through peace is long gone and Arjuna must be in the moment. The present is what matters, and Arjuna’s duty is to the present, not the past.
Usually “live in the moment” quotes are accompanied by happy guitar tunes and sunshine; however, Vyasa conveys a grimmer reality. He rips away the sugar coating, and rips open the raw flesh with blood spewing into the reader’s face. This is what makes Vyasa so special as a writer and why the Mahabharata is so captivating. In this case, it forces the reader to rationally consider the often difficult present itself. Living in the present is not important because it will make you happy, no it is important because of grim reality. Vyasa wants the reader to understand the solemn of this philosophy. There are no sunshine and happy guitar tunes for Arjuna, he must kill his family, friends, teachers, and those who he spent precious moments of his past with to protect his mother, wife, children, brothers, allies, and their families. He must honor his oath, as his enemies will honor theirs. As they come to take his life, he must take theirs. He must not be hindered by the potential of loss, but be decisive for his own life depends upon it. He must be a realist, for the idealists have all died.
This idea is captivating. The applications exist in many fields beyond just the battlefield. Business, sport, any competition, geo-politics, and much more. To be duty bound to the present is to be decisive. Elements such as sloth, greed, nepotism, pride, envy, gluttony, and hesitation have no room in this philosophy. Yes there will be time for the extreme emotions such as grief, but one can only afford to grieve when the present situation allows for it. An alert active attitude must be adopted, and decisions must be made through the consideration of present circumstances and tacit knowledge.
Upon examination from Vyasa’s angle, the sunshine philosophy of “living in the moment” becomes the cold blade of the reaper’s scythe. Indiscriminating, except to the task at hand.
Too often humans spend precious time worrying about factors which they do not fully control, while time passes on what they can fully control. The only thing which an individual can fully control is their actions in the present. Thus, Vyasa is demanding that individuals stop focusing on the unchangeable past and the unpredictable future. Vyasa duty bounds the individual to the present where they can fully control their actions. This present is difficult to face, and that is why individuals run away only returning when the present eases; however, it is the difficult present which is so important to face for an individual to truly be empowered.
