Bhagavad-gītā 1.1 in Hindi – August 25, 1976, Hyderabad

Harikesa: Shall I read the translation? [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Yes. I explain in Hindi.

Harikesa: Dhrtarastra said: O Sanjaya, after assembling in the place of pilgrimage at Kuruksetra, what did my sons and the sons of Panḍu do, being desirous to fight? [Bg 1.1]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Maharaja Dhrtarastra asked Sanjaya, Sanjaya was his secretary, so he asked him "My sons-Mamakaḥ, and Panḍava-the sons of my younger brother Panḍavas went together at Dharmaksetra in order to fight, what did they do?" This is what he inquired. It is very simple. Dharmaksetra, Kuruksetra, it is very near to Delhi. Kuruksetra is still present today. It is Dharmaksetra. Hindus from nearby areas visit Kuruksetra even today and perform religious ceremonies. It it written in the Vedas also, that you go to Kuruksetra and perform religious duties. Then what is the use of juggling words? Interpretation? What is the Hindi word for 'interpretation'?]

Devotee: [Transl. Bhasya.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Bhasya means comment. Interpretation means arthavada. To change the original meaning and say something else. The real meaning of interpretation is arthavada. So these foolish people interpret Kuruksetra as the body. Why? Why would Kuruksetra mean this body? Which Dictionary says Kuruksetra means the body? But this is going on. They mislead others by speaking nonsense and become misled themselves too. This should not be done. Vyasadeva wrote the Bhagavad-gita.

[Transl. Did he write so that people can interpret it? He wrote it to understand. It is very simple. Interpretation is required only when the meaning is incomprehensible. When it is clearly understood that there is a place called Kuruksetra, and according to the sastra it is a place of pilgrimage. Even today, if there is any quarrel in the village they go to temple to settle it. Why? Because still today it is a practice that nobody tells lie in the temple. The matter is settled. Similarly, the battle took place in a place of pilgrimage so that the dispute may be settled.

[Transl. Therefore Dhrtarastra is asking what did they do? They went to fight, so it is assumed that they must have fought. Then why is he asking that having assembled there what did they do? He meant that after going to a place of pilgrimage did he change his mind or not? This means not to tell a lie. Previously people were afraid to speak lie before the Supreme Lord. They would speak the truth. In the same way, Dhrtarastra knew very well that the kingdom belongs to the Panḍavas. It is their father's kingdom.

[Transl. By conspiracy we have put them into so many troubles and now the battle is about to start. So after going to a place of pilgrimage they might not settle it up. Because he didn't want a settlement. He wanted a battle, because the Kauravas are hundred brothers whereas the Panḍavas are only five brothers. He thought our power is more, our soldiers are more in numbers. So if there is fight the five brothers will definitely be killed. And my sons will enjoy the kingdom without any hindrance. This is what he wanted.

[Transl. So my point is that when you read Bhagavad-gita, you do not interpret it whimsically. I think, "this means this." No. The meaning is clearly given. Accept as it is. If you study in such a frame of mind then your reading of Bhagavad-gita will be successful. And if you simply speak nonsense there will be no gain. This is my…That's all.]

Prabhupada: Thank you. Hare Krsna. [end]