Crabavad Gita

Crabavad Gita

Motives
I sit on the jagged limestone overlooking the Crimson Beach of Peleliu; what a paradise it is. But in my thoughts, I grow discontent. I realize that within the century, these waters were red with blood: Men died here for purposes greater than themselves; and perhaps the greatest purpose is within them, the struggle to survive. I look down upon the rocks and see dozens of crabs hopping around and chasing each other. I laugh for a second, but recognize the same purpose within them. A blacktip distracts me as it splashes around momentarily in the waves of the ebbing tide before it submerges beneath the waves again. For the moment, I see Myself and mind the great purpose. And in my heart, i am home.

The Story
Crabs have always reminded me of survival ever since I returned from Peleliu. So I wanted to tell a story of survival with the characters being crabs. The story I chose is none other than the Bhagavad-Gita. I will do no justice to the book. I will not even come close to representing it’s ideas. The only connection is the situation: survival, and hero’s doubt arising from that.

Under his leaf, Arjuna sits in repose. It is better to stay home without much ado.

In the distance, Arjuna hears the clicking of claws. He has harkened to the sound of war many times and has grown tired of fighting. Arriving to the battle, he sees that his adversary is his own cousin. In his despair, Arjuna flees across the sand. If not fighting, one must flee. Where is the refuge of the eternal?

In the palm of Krishna, Arjuna is mindful of the situation. If he need not fight, he is the righteous crab. Yet inaction is still action. Who denies the nature of things and is still not in accordance with their nature?

Nature is the biggest thing, and even free will cannot deny it. By whose claw is the enemy destroyed? Arjuna has commit no action. Krishna has written the story by which what is created is also destroyed.

It is time for action, good and evil. Arjuna charges into battle with the enemy. His claw is mighty and his shell is thick. It is ordained that he will be victorious.

An enemy is vanquished. The idea of an enemy will always be. Arjuna returns to the shelter under his leaf, pure in action because of his diligence to his nature. Action is still inactive on Krishna’s way. Much easier is it to stay home without much ado.