Will Smith, one of the most popular Hollywood actors, was able to tell the world about something very personal in his life. He talked of a time in which he was fighting on the inside and things were heavy and confused and he was not sure what to do now. In that period, he resorted to an Indian epic story of the Mahabharat. He discussed this on an episode of the Jay Shetty podcast, On Purpose and how the tale of Arjuna allowed him to comprehend his own emotions. His words were close to a lot of people as they made it clear that even a globally known actor tries to find his way and rest, like the rest of us do.
Will Smith reported that he derived inspiration in the section of the Mahabharat as is found in Bhagavad Gita. The book is famous with profound lessons concerning life, responsibility, bravery, and personal peace. It is read by a large number of people across the world when they are lost. Will Smith also resorted to it when he was experiencing a troubled time, and he told how much it gave him a clear mind. The tale that he loved the most was that of Arjuna.
In the podcast, Will Smith stated why the journey of Arjuna was so significant to him. Of Arjuna, he said, of people who are not aware of the circumstance in which he was put, the family of Arjuna has tripped out. He’s a wonderful archer. He is the best archer in the world and his family tricks out and takes the kingdom and they are like, you know, they snatch his wife and they are attempting to disrobe his wife and he… You see he is a warrior he can get, he could get the kingdom back, you know. but these are his uncles and his, his brothers-in-law and his teachers and people that he loved and trusted, and that they took his kingdom. These lines demonstrate how much Will Smith felt the pain of Arjuna.
Arjuna is one of the greatest warriors in Mahabharat. He is an obedient, good, gifted and attached to his family. However, one day he must deal with a heartbreak situation. On the other side of a great conflict are his own relatives, people that he grew up with and respected. They steal that which belongs to him and his brothers. They offend his wife, Draupadi and humiliate her. Arjuna possesses all the ability to battle them and triumph but he is paralyzed. How will he draw his bow against the very people that he used to love? It is this confusion and fear as well as emotional suffering that cause him to fall apart on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
It is this that Will Smith related to. There are cases in life when we are presented with a problem that is not in the outside world, but within us. We are aware of what should be done, but our heart is feeling saddened and fearing. We desire to do our duty, but we are pushed another way by our feelings. Will Smith believed that the confusion of Arjuna is related to the one that we all experience.
Arjuna is not left to encounter his sufferings in Mahabharat. It is at this point that Lord Krishna turns into his guide. Krishna sits in the chariot with him and becomes his teacher, friend and his spiritual guide. He describes why Arjuna should not panic, why he should get on his feet and why he must do what is right even when it hurts. Krishna educates him on the subjects of duty, courage, karma and the need to remain calm amidst the mayhem. Krishna in the chariot of Arjuna is one of the strongest pictures of the story. It reveals that we all require someone wise to help us go through rough times in life.
Will Smith related well to this symbol. He talked of how reassuring it was to think that God or some superior force was driving the chariot of Arjuna, and assisting him in moving the correct way when all the odds were against him. This thought was a relief to Will Smith. It helped him to remember that once life was too heavy, he could rely on faith or spirituality or wisdom of ancient tales. It made him remember that he was not struggling with his battles on his own.
The same reason makes many people of the world refer to the Bhagavad Gita. The teachings it gives are not only of war. They are concerned with confronting fear, getting clear, and knowing how to be strong when all the things around us seem to be rather insecure. In 2022, Will Smith also stated that he was passing through a spiritual stage. In the process, the story of Arjuna made him come to an incremental realization of his own problems. It helped him to pause and have a second look at his actions, contemplate his actions and attempt to learn out of his errors.
Mahabharat is thousands of years old, but even nowadays its wisdom seems to be new. The experience that Will Smith went through demonstrates that these classic tales can assist anybody regardless of his culture, profession, or upbringing. They address the human heart and this is why they remain inspirational to one generation after another. In reading the story of Arjuna, Will Smith did not look at it as a celebrity. He interpreted it as a man in need of meaning, solace and strength.
Arjuna story, in most aspects, teaches us that one should not be afraid of being confused. There is nothing wrong about stopping, doubting, and being overwhelmed. But we must not stop there. We, like Arjuna, have to seek guidance as well. We have to make efforts to comprehend our responsibility, make decisions clearly, and believe that we are not the only ones. Life provides us with our guides as Krishna did offer guidance to Arjuna in the chariot, family, teachers, books, or spiritual beliefs do too.
The candidness of Will Smith is a reminder that despite what one can do in order to appear tough, they might be having a hard time they keep to themselves. The fact that he associates himself with the journey of Arjuna makes the story even more relatable by people at present. It demonstrates that ancient teachings are still very powerful. They assist us to calm down our minds, to organize our thoughts and proceed with confidence.
