Bhagavad-gita 1.20 – 1.23 Lord Krishna as charioteer of Arjuna

Lord Krishna and Arjuna were stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses. The chariot on which both the friends were seated had been donated by Agni (the fire-god) to Arjuna, and this indicated that this chariot was capable of conquering all sides, wherever it was drawn over the three worlds. Also, the chariot bore a flag marked with Hanuman (kapi-dhwaja). The emblem of Hanuman on the flag of Arjuna was another sign of victory because Hanuman co-operated with Lord Rama in the battle against Ravana, and Lord Rama emerged victorious. Lord Krishna is Rama Himself and wherever Lord Rama is present, His eternal servitor Hanuman and His eternal consort Sita, the goddess of fortune, are present. Now, Arjuna was following the footsteps of Hanuman, a mahajana while undertaking the devotional service of fighting the war against adharma.

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead (sri bhagavan). Out of His causeless mercy He was engaged in the services of His friend. He never fails in His affection for His devotee. He is always bhakta-vatsala. He keeps his devotees close to His chest. And thus he is addressed as infallible (acyuta). As charioteer, He had to carry out the orders of Arjuna, and since He did not hesitate to do so, He is addressed as infallible. He never falls down from His original position.

Although Lord Krishna had accepted the position of a charioteer for His devotee, His supreme position was not challenged. In all circumstances, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hrsikesa, the Lord of the total senses. The relationship between the Lord and His servitor is very sweet and transcendental. The servitor is always ready to render service to the Lord, and similarly, the Lord is always seeking an opportunity to render some service to the devotee. He takes greater pleasure in His pure devotee’s assuming the advantageous position of ordering Him than He does in being the giver of orders. Since He is master, everyone is under His orders, and no one is above Him to order Him. But when He finds that a pure devotee is ordering Him, He obtains transcendental pleasure, although He is the infallible master of all circumstances.