ARJUNA'S COWARDICE

Arjuna's cowardice

Krishna was calling Arjuna a coward.
He used polite terminology.
But basically that was what He was saying.

What was the nature of the cowardice?

Arjuna is eternally related to Krishna in pure devotion.
The pure devotee only acts to please Krishna.
Serves to please Krishna.
He has no desires for his own personal aggrandizement.
His only interest is the pleasure of the Lord.
Therein lies his own pleasure.

Arjuna was unsure of what would please Krishna.
That was his hesitation.

On the one hand Arjuna and his brothers
were the royal family, Kshatriyas.
His elder brother Yudhisthira is Dharmaraja.
The king or the emperor is the "protector of religious principles."
That is the duty of the royal order.
To protect religious principles.

The confusion for Arjuna is
what are the religious principles
that need to be protected in his situation.

Arjuna takes the posture of humility
when he considers the religious principles to be social.
How can he confront superiors?
Even though they have behaved immorally?
They are in the social position of teachers, relatives, mentors...
Attacking them would be in effect
"attacking the very social positions they represent."
Along with their demise
"the whole social structure would be destroyed."

But Krishna calls this humility.... cowardice.
The religious principle that Krishna wants protected
is the highest religious principle.
Surrender to Krishna.