Beg and Bargain

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Chariot; from the Archetype Cards, "Beggar:"

          These two cards fit together perfectly for the story of Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita begins with the story of two families - the Kauravas who have illegally taken control of the kingdom and the Pandavas who fight to take back their power. Yet the archer Arjuna (whose charioteer is Krishna) can't bring himself to kill his family and friends. He sobs and rants, throws down his weapons and refuses to fight. Krishna then commences to explain to him why he must do his duty; he must live the life that is unfolding in front of him rather than hide from it. In Chapter 6:34-35, Arjuna complains that the mind is strong and obstinate, even the wind is easier to restrain. Krishna replies that although the agitated mind is difficult to bridle, through the practice of meditation and the use of objectivity it can be mastered. The Beggar card (with wheels that reflect the Chariot) is that Arjuna moment when I throw up my hands and say, "I can't do this. I won't do this." I demand that someone else take responsibility and and make the choices, not me. But the great cosmic joke is that I only have this present life, and no one can live it for me. Whether I act and put forth an effort or not is all on me.