Compare And Contrast Achilles Vs Arjuna

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Action, a word of great significance in the earlier centuries. A word that means a proceeding of something or the state of doing something. Action is expressed in both of the books: Iliad and Bhagavad-Gita. Action has a similar meaning to both Achilles in the Iliad and Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita; however, it also has its differences to the two characters. According to both characters, there is a clear understanding of what action itself means, but there is also a contrast for the two. The motivation behind the action is the difference in Achilles and Arjuna’s meaning in the two different books. The outlook Achilles has on action is that of which you do for fame and recognition as a warrior. His motivation behind his action is the recognition he will get for doing the action. Arjuna’s motivation, on the other hand, is the love he has for his family and friends. He is concerned with what is the right way to conduct his action. For example, in the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna prays to the god, Krishna, to ask in a confused state of mind what is the right thing to do because he sees fighting his own people as evil. On page 1286, Arjuna says, “I …show more content…

Non-action is the aspect in which the Iliad and the Bhagavad-Gita have the same outlook over. Both give off the sense that non-action still causes a result in such a way. As in the Iliad¸ Achilles pulled himself out of the war because he thought the action of him not acting would cause a result of them to realize that his action is necessary. Achilles substituted his friend in his spot so that he could be inactive which resulted in the death of his friend. This emotional tragedy caused Achilles to become active again; the motivation of revenge causes him to get back into action. In the Bhagavad-Gita, on page 1294 Krishna states, “’not by acting of this world does one become free of action”. Non-action is still action and both the Iliad and Bhagavad-Gita display