In the next class (Class 11), we will discuss chapter 5, "Kurukshetra," and chapter 6, "Man and the Battle of Life" (pp. 39-56).
Study questions:
1. On p. 42, Sri Aurobindo writes: “It is impossible, at least as men and things are, to advance, to grow, to fulfil and still to observe really and utterly that principle of harmlessness which is yet placed before us as the highest and best law of conduct.” What does he mean by this? And how is this relevant to understanding the Gita?
2. On p. 46, Sri Aurobindo writes: “We must acknowledge Kurukshetra; we must submit to the law of Life by Death before we can find our way to the life immortal; we must open our eyes, with a less appalled gaze than Arjuna’s, to the vision of our Lord of Time and Death and cease to deny, hate or recoil from the universal Destroyer.” What does he mean by this?
3. On p. 50, Sri Aurobindo claims that the ancient Indian social structure was superior to the modern social structure. What are the main differences between these social structures? Do you agree with Sri Aurobindo regarding the superiority of ancient Indian society? Why or why not?
4. According to Sri Aurobindo, what is the difference between the “nirguṇa” and the “triguṇātīta” (p. 54)? How is this distinction relevant to Arjuna?
5. On p. 55, Sri Aurobindo writes: “The recoil of Arjuna is the tamasic recoil from action of the sattwa-rajasic man.” What does he mean by this?