In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Vaishampayana briefing King Janame-Jaya as to how the Paandava brothers had to bear insult after insult, humiliation after humiliation under the wretched hands of Duryodhana and Co. at Hastinapura. Courtesy Vidura and Bhagawan Krishna, the Paandavas were afloat and alive. We’ve witnessed how the Paandavas were planned to be killed under the “Laaksha Griham” at Vaaranavata. Subsequently as they escaped that trap, Duryodhana fumed in anger and frustration and with the assistance of Sahuni, he arranged a game of “Gambling”. Duryodhana took this step because he knew that no other “death traps” can kill the Paandavas and the only way to win over them is through “smartness” and “perverted intelligence”. Even though gambling is against “Raaja-Dharma”, King Dhirdiraashtra had no option but to accede to it, owing to Duryodhana’s constant pressure. During the game, Yudishtra had to lose everything that he had, including wife Draupati. Subsequently, Draupati was dragged to the courtroom by Duchhaasana, Duryodhana’s brother and was insulted in public by unstripping her saree. Thanks to the timely intervention of Bhagawan Krishna’s “invisible divine hands”, Draupati was saved from further insult.
This made the Paandavas fume with anger. Duryodhana’s trap and wicked plan was out in the open. What started as a “friendly” game, ended up in a disaster of a humongous sort! Upon Draupati being insulted, the Paandavas take a firm pledge to avenge this in some way or the other. Bheemasena was fuming in anger and took a pledge that he would amputate Ducchaasana’s hands that unstripped Draupati’s saree and would drink his blood to avenge the insult! The entire Hastinapura courtroom was shell-shocked with Bheemasena’s pledge! King Dhirdiraashtra was shaking with fear! Bhismachaarya and Guru Dhronaachaarya were beyond words! The downfall of Hastinapura had begun! However, if there was one person who never realized the dire consequences for what has conspired, it was none other than Duryodhana! He stuck to his plans of sending the Paandavas away to the forest on an “Agnyaata-Vaasam” mode for twelve years. During this period, the enmity increased further. As the Paandavas were staying at the “Viraata-Desha” during the thirteenth year, the feud took a huge giant leap. To dose this feud, several messengers from both sides tried their best. Sanjaya came from King Dhirdiraashtra’s side to make truce with the Paandavas. Bhagawan Krishna Himself went as a messenger to make truce with the Karuavas. But at the end of the day nothing worked! As Bhagawan Krishna was finally insulted by Duryodhana when He had gone as a messenger, the message was loud and clear! War was inevitable at this stage!
Thus, eventually a huge war broke out at Kurukshetra! Each and every element of the eighteen-Akshauhini Sainya was destroyed by Bhagawan Krishna silently, in the form of motivating the Paandavas to go for the kill. It is during the war did Bhagawan Krishna become the charioteer to Arjuna and gave the famous Bhagawad Gita to the world. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna became the “Geeta-Chaarya” and “Paartha-Saarathy” to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war. Thus, the entire Kaurava camp was completely destroyed, not leaving behind even a single soul alive! Duryodhana was kept alive till the last day of the 18-day war, and he had to see all his 99 brothers being killed in front of his own eyes! Bhishmaachaarya was not spared. Guru Dhronaachaarya was tricked and hacked to death! Everybody had their share of misfortune during the war, and eventually Bhagawan Krishna ensured that “Adharma” was destroyed right from the grassroot level.
All this was done by Bhagawan upon a single request from Goddess Bhoomadevi that the population of people performing Adharma was increasing in an alarming manner, and this should be brought under control! As Sage Vaishampayana explains thus, he concludes by explaining that this is the main reason behind the huge war of destruction that happened between King Janame-Jaya’s grandfathers. Arjuna had obtained the “Gaandeepa” (A special bow) directly from Agni Bhagawan. It is only with this Gaandeepa did he go around destroying the Kaurava camp in masses, of course with the able and smart guidance of Bhagawan Krishna! Thus, we can see here that the entire thing was “staged” by Bhagawan to destroy “Adharma” in this world. So for today, let us understand upto this point, and let us witness in the next episode as to how King Janame-Jaya is going to react to whatever Sage Vaishampayana had to say till now! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 