In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important accord given by Sage Vyaasa about Kurukshetra and how it is important that we perform the “Jala-Tarpanam” in this holy place. We’re witnessing this lengthy accord as part of the “Teertha-Yatra” Parva wherein, Sage Naarada is explaining all these points to Yudishtra, and Sage Vyaasa has documented all these details. Thus, the significance of various “Punya-Kshetras” of our Bhaarata Desha have been brought about here very beautifully along with the benefits that we would obtain by visiting each of these places. Of course, due to various constraints, we’re discussing only a few of them here and readers can have a lengthy understanding / reading on their own convenience at a later context. If we look at the Kurukshetra today, of course, at a later stage, Bhagawan Krishna has gifted the Bhagawad Gita to the entire world in this very particular “Kshetra” and for all of us, it is extremely important that we visit this holy place without fail. Even if we’re visiting or not visiting other important “Kshetras”, we should never miss this Kurukshetra at any cost. Even today if we go, there is a special place that is earmarked with a beautiful chariot wherein Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna are seated upon. This is the very place where Bhagawan Krishna had gifted the “Gita-Shaastra” to Arjuna, and also to all of us. Even today we can see a huge barren land / ground near this Bhagawan Krishna’s chariot, and it is believed that the marque battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas took place at this very place.
To elaborate the significance of Kurukshetra even further, all of us should understand that it is not only the birthplace of the “Gita-Shaastra”, but also, the birthplace of the famed “Shri Vishnu Sahasranamam” as well! We’re going to witness all these in detail in the upcoming “Parvas” and episodes, but just to fit this into the current context, Bhishmachaarya is going to sing in praise of Bhagawan Krishna, as Bhagawan Krishna Himself is looking on! At the end of the war when the Pandavas emerge victorious, Bhishmachaarya is going to render some important pieces of advice pertaining to the “Raaja-Dharma”, and as part of this explanation, Bhishmachaarya is going to reveal the significance and the inner-truth about Bhagawan Krishna, who is none other than Bhagawan Vishnu Himself in a human form! Thus, the “Vishnu Sahasranamam” (Thousand names of Bhagawan Vishnu) was born in this very place of Kurukshetra only!
This is exactly why Sage Narada is stressing upon this place repeatedly. In fact, we should understand that Sage Naarada is a “Tri-Kaala-Gnyaani”, which means, a person who is aware of the past, present and the future as well. Sage Naarada obviously knows that this is the very place wherein the battle is going to take place, and the entire Kaurava camp is going to be destroyed here. However, he doesn’t show that out to Yudishtra directly, but stresses that Yudishtra and Co. should pay a visit to Kurukshetra and perform his spiritual duties from here. This itself was a morale-booster to Yudishtra and Co. Thus, the inner meaning to what Sage Naarada is trying to explain is very simple – He guides Yudishtra to obtain the divine “Anugraha” of all the “Pitru-Devatas” from the very place where the fight is going to take place. This would automatically aid Yudishtra to win the war quite easily, as he would clearly have all the “Pitru-Devatas” lending their support and providing their divine “Anugraha” to him!
Thus, the message is loud and clear – If a Mahatma (Divine Spiritual Master) says something, it might outwardly sound very simple and like a mere story / explanation. However, the in-depth meaning of the words that come out of a Mahatma’s mouth can be extremely significant that many a time, we might even fail to understand even a small percentage of it! This is why we always emphasize that if a Mahatma or a Spiritual Guru is saying something to us, we should blindly obey it without asking back even a single word! This is because, our minds have an obvious limitation to think only about the present moment, and we do not have the capacity to think beyond. Whereas, this is not the case with Mahatmas. Because of their intense power of “Tapas” (Penance), their minds have breached this limitation, and can go to any extent to think about the past and future as well. Thus, if a Spiritual Master is rendering us some advice, it is obvious that He / She is deeply concerned about our past and future too, while doing so. Since, we do not have the capacity to comprehend what our future would be, it is better that we listen and obey our Mahatma’s words without fail, which ultimately would put us on the track to achieve the ultimate goal – “Moksha”! This is exactly what Sage Naarada is also doing here!
So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 