My biggest issue with how films interpret the Bhagavad Gita is how they reduce something deeply philosophical into a justification for external conflict/propaganda.
When Krishna speaks of a battlefield, it isn’t just a physical war.
The battlefield is the mind.
“उद्धरेदात्मनाऽत्मानं… आत्मैव रिपुरात्मनः” (6.5)
The self alone is the friend of the self, and the self alone is the enemy of the self.
The “enemy” is not another person/group of people/, race, class, or caste.
It is the restless mind, ignorance, ego, desire, attachment, negative thoughts.
“यतो यतो निश्चरति मनः…” (6.26)
Wherever the mind wanders, bring it back to the Self.
And dharma is not about fighting others.
Dharma is about aligning with your true nature-going beyond thought, beyond identity, into awareness.
Not a war against others but a journey within.
You want to make a film, make a film don’t use religious texts out of context to suit your narrative and propagate hate.
For those interested please read Bhagvad Gita by Parthasarathy Swamiji-
Mind (manas) = emotions, impulses, likes/dislikes
Intellect (buddhi) =discrimination, decision-making
Arjuna = the mind (confused, emotional)
Krishna = the intellect (clarity, wisdom)
The “battle” is Intellect trying to guide and discipline the mind
Indian fans love cricketers like Kane, AB, Baz, Faf & many other Kiwis & Safricans because to us they are 'genuine nice and humble guys'.
Historically we've disliked Australian cricketers cos of their supposed cockiness & them being arrogant and ungracious in victory. Because they've always played with the attitude of 'I mean business, my job is to win. I'm not here to please anyone.'
Allan Border. Steve Waugh. Ricky Ponting. Shane Warne. Glenn Mcgrath. Michael Clarke. That Aussie culture has given them so much success over the years as we all know.
Cummins is a rare exception & a whiff of fresh air. He's a genuine nice guy, who smiles a lot & revels in the success of his mates. He also fights for climate change. Ever since he took over as captain, he posts Instagram posts for his fellow Aussies whenever they do well. Story kooda illa, post. Vera evan pannuvaan ipdi?
By being all the above, he proved he's still an Aussie thoroughbred when he said 'In sport, there's nothing more satisfying than making a big crowd go silent & that's the aim for tomorrow'. Pure villainy, but delivered with a smile.
But here's thing. Even though I wanted him to eat his words, I laughed it off because it was genuinely funny coming from Cummins. Imagine, idhuvey oru Ponting oh Mcgrath oh sollirndha, we'd have gone rogue.
Pat Cummins is different. Don't get me wrong, he still kills you like Ponting... but he kills you with his success & buries you with his smile.
After 2 losses in the initial matches of CWC,
Michael Clarke: Pat Cummins should be dropped.
Pat Cummins yesterday: Hold my World Cup 🔥
#CongratulationAustralia#INDvsAUS#CWC23
- A hundred in India.
- A hundred in Pakistan.
- A hundred in England.
- A hundred in New Zealand.
Now a hundred in the World Cup for Devon Conway - this is some start to his ODI career from just 22 innings!