Arjuna's dilemma

In search of truth and meaning in life during the hippie era I began studying and practicing in the ashrams that were being formed around the world as Srila Prabhupada traveled and attracted students.

This was the building that was being used as the temple and ashram in Boston. It has quite a history. First it was a residence, then it was funeral home then a Hare Krishna temple and ashram and now it is back to being a residence again.

I received initiation as a disciple of Srila Prabhupada (AC Bhaktivedanta Swami) in1971. We read regularly from the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and other Vedic scriptures that Srila Prabhupada was in the process of translating into English.

The picture isn't of my initiation, Srila Prabhupada initiated over 5000 disciples, but it is similar. At initiation vows are taken to follow the instructions of the spiritual master as one's life and soul. So it is not a cheap thing.

This is a verse from the Bhagavad gita where Lord Krishna is speaking to His disciple and friend Arjuna. Arjuna has a dilemma not unlike Hamlet's. Should he rise against friends and relatives who are attempting to steal from him what is not theirs or just let it go and do without? Which for Arjuna would mean losing his claim to rule the kingdom and simply retire to the forest eating roots and berries. Actually living in the forest on roots and berries seems pretty go to me right about now but Lord Krishna has another plan for Arjuna. Chapter two deals with Arjuna's dilemma and hesitation to fight although he is famous as the greatest archer and warrior of the time.
This is one of the verses:

"One who can control his senses by practicing the regulated principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord and thus become free from all attachment and aversion." Bhagavad Gita As It Is 2.64

PURPORT by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is already explained that one may externally control the senses by some artificial process, but unless the senses are engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord, there is every chance of a fall. Although the person in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness may apparently be on the sensual plane, because of his being Kṛṣṇa conscious, he has no attachment to sensual activities. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person is concerned only with the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, and nothing else. Therefore he is transcendental to all attachment. If Kṛṣṇa wants, the devotee can do anything which is ordinarily undesirable; and if Kṛṣṇa does not want, he shall not do that which he would have ordinarily done for his own satisfaction. Therefore to act or not to act is within his control because he acts only under the direction of Kṛṣṇa. This consciousness is the causeless mercy of the Lord, which the devotee can achieve in spite of his being attached to the sensual platform.

This is link to the text. https://prabhupadabooks.com/bg/2/64