In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna’s final conversation with Vidura as He’s preparing Himself to leave for the Hastinapura courtroom the next morning. As both Vidura and Bhagawan Krishna are getting ready after a sound sleep the previous night, Bhagawan Krishna asks Vidura for the message that He has to convey to Duryodhana during the courtroom session. For this, Vidura replies with tears in his eyes that there’s absolutely no point in Bhagawan Krishna talking to Duryodhana as he is now beyond anybody’s advice! Vidura feels sorry for what is happening at Hastinapura currently and he knows that war is going to be inevitable in the near future. Yet, he asks why Bhagawan Krishna is wanting to waste His time in advising Duryodhana to relent from his position.
Now, as Vidura says thus, Bhagawan Krishna gives an important reply to him. He says thus, “Oh my dear Vidura! I asked you this question first-up to you because I know that you are a scholarly person and will always give answers pertaining to “Dharma” only. I have the trust and confidence in you more than anybody else in this world, when it comes to aspects of “Dharma”. Oh Vidura! You’re asking me why am I wasting my time in talking to Duryodhana! Let me tell you one thing clearly – Given my stature and given the fact that both sides respect me in all possible ways, it is my duty to broker peace between both sides atleast once. I also know that Duryodhana is never going to listen to me even for a minute. But he respects me. There is no dispute between Duryodhana and me. Hence, as a mediator, I should do my duty to try and persuade Duryodhana towards the path of “Dharma”. Else, what will the world say? The world will say that Bhagawan Krishna being all-knowing and all-pervasive and supreme, did not give any chance to Duryodhana to do a course-correction. People will say that Bhagawan Krishna was partial towards Yudishtra and protected him, even though there was a window of opportunity for Duryodhana to resurrect. People will also say that maybe if Duryodhana would have been given an opportunity to correct himself, he might have done so! Hence, I’ve to put an end to all these unwanted arguments people would be making later on. If this has to be done, I’ve to mediate between the parties and see what Duryodhana can do. If he is still able to mend his ways, I don’t have any problem in calling a truce between Yudishtra and Duryodhana. I can still forgive all whatever mistakes Duryodhana has made so far! Hence, Vidura! I cannot escape from my duty, isn’t it? So, please come. Let us make our way towards the courtroom and see what happens there!”
Moving on thus, it is now time for all of them to make their way to the courtroom. Bhagawan Krishna holds Vidura’s hands on one side and Saatyaki’s hands on the other as He walks towards the courtroom. As Bhagawan makes His way, in the meanwhile, Duryodhana instructs all his people thus, “Oh Kings! Oh Ministers! When Bhagawan Krishna comes inside the courtroom, nobody should stand up and pay any kind of respect to Him! Bhagawan Krishna insulted me very badly last evening and I shall show who I am to Him today! Hence, if I see anybody standing up and paying respects to Bhagawan Krishna, I will ensure that your heads will be chopped off and your kingdoms will be destroyed immediately without any mercy!”
As Duryodhana gives orders thus, all the ministers and kings who are assembled at the Hastinapura courtroom are shaking with fear. All of them are eagerly awaiting Bhagawan Krishna’s arrival, even as Bhagawan Krishna slowly makes His way into the huge “Darbar” of King Dhritarashtra. So for today, let us understand up to this point wherein Bhagawan Krishna comes to Hastinapura courtroom as the “Paandava-Dhoota” (Messenger of the Paandava brothers) and in the next episode, we shall witness a very interesting incident as Bhagawan Krishna makes His entry into the courtroom! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 