“The topics discussed by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Sañjaya, as described in the Mahābhārata, form the basic principle for this great philosophy.”
Let’s analyse this sentence:
- “The topics discussed by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Sañjaya, as described in the Mahābhārata..”: We understand: The different subjects Dhritrastra and Sanjaya speak about in the Mahabharata.
- “…form the basic principle for this great philosophy.” We understand that what they speak about determines what Krishna teaches Arjuna.
Question: Our understanding does not make sense to us. Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna are not influenced by what Dhritarastra and Sanjay have been speaking about. Rather, Dhritarastra and Sanjay’s conversation is influenced by Krishna and Arjuna’s conversation. How can I make better sense of this sentence?
Our Light: Normally we should not deviate from the direct meaning of a statement.
“For each sūtra the direct meaning must be accepted without interpretation.” CC M 6.134 verse
However, when the direct meaning does not make sense, we can accept a secondary meaning.
“Commentary or interpretation required when things are not very clear. Then you can suggest, “The meaning may be like this.” But when the things are clear, why should you comment? There is no necessity of comment. Just like, for example—this is also from Sanskrit scholar’s examples—that gaṅgāyaṁ ghoṣapalli. Gaṅgāyam: “On the Ganges there is a neighborhood which is known as Ghoṣapalli.” Now, this statement is in your front. So one may question that “The river Ganges is water. How there can be a neighborhood which is known as Ghoṣapalli? On the water, how there can be a quarter or neighborhood of human habitation?” You can question that. Gaṅgāyaṁ ghoṣapalli. Then the interpretation should be, “No, not on the Ganges. ‘On the Ganges’ means ‘on the bank of the Ganges.’ ” This interpretation is nice.” Town Hall address 1972
Therefore, I understand it is acceptable to resort to a secondary interpretation which makes more sense. Our secondary interpretation is as follows: Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna are related to us in the context of Dhritarastra and Sanjaya’s conversation.
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