In the previous episode, we had witnessed the Paandava army swinging into action as they start advancing towards the famed Kurukshetra battlefield on the command given by Yudishtra. We’ve witnessed how the Paandavas, along with Bhagawan Krishna, set up the leadership at several levels in their army and also decide the place where the battle should take place. Kurukshetra is chosen amongst various choices of places, and Bhagawan Krishna decides to become the charioteer to Arjuna (Paartha-Saarathy). This shows how Bhagawan comes down to the level of His ardent devotees to serve them, as part of the pursuit towards the path of “Dharma”. Bhagawan takes this decision to be Arjuna’s charioteer not merely because Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna share an unshakable bond with each other, but mainly because Arjuna is going to fight for the cause of “Dharma” and Bhagawan has to play a significant role in it.
Thus, as time and days progress, every “Akshauhini” of the Paandava army commences its journey towards Kurukshetra. Each “Akshauhini” has approximately 60,000 elephants, 60,000 horses and lakhs of soldiers as part of it. Thus, if there are seven “Akshauhinis” like this, we can imagine the magnitude of the army here. Thus, as each “Akshauhini” reaches Kurukshetra, all of them start setting up tents. It’s a complete barren land isn’t it? Hence, there are no structures and houses for everyone to reside. Thus, tents are being set up for everyone to stay, and with this, the Paandava army gets somewhat settled at Kurukshetra. Meanwhile, the news that the Paandava army has reached Kurukshetra reaches Duryodhana and Co. Immediately Duryodhana thinks thus, “Oh wow! They’re much quicker than us! We’ve not even started our preparation for the war!”
Thus, Duryodhana quickly convenes a meeting with Sahuni, Ducchaasana, Karna, Bhishmachaarya, etc. and plans out the strategies. Duryodhana has eleven “Akshauhinis” of army with him! We’ve seen that the Paandavas have seven, now here we’re witnessing that Duryodhana has eleven! Similar to what Yudishtra planned, Duryodhana also splits his army into eleven, with one person being the commander in chief for each “Akshauhini” of the army. As Duryodhana plans thus, in the meanwhile, Yudishtra has a thought in mind – “Why shouldn’t we try one more time to convince Duryodhana to change his stance? Is this war inevitable? Can this war be prevented atleast now?”
With this thought, Yudishtra slowly approaches Bhagawan Krishna with folded hands. Tears roll down Yudishtra’s eyes, however, he controls himself. Yudishtra bows down to Bhagawan and asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! I know that I might be asking a foolish question here, but I couldn’t hold myself back. Please tell me one thing – Are we doing the right thing? Is it correct on our part to fight with my own brothers of Duryodhana, etc., my own Guru Dhronachaarya and my own grandfather Bhishmachaarya? What if this war ends up in a huge disaster wherein our entire family would get wiped out? If that happens, what do we do? By doing this, will I end up going to the “Naraka Lokha”? Leave me alone – What about my forefathers and ancestors? Will they also end up the same fate as me in the “Naraka Lokha” for all the massacres that I’m going to do?What if my entire generation gets destroyed because of this? Hence, Bhagawan Krishna! I’m feeling scared – Am I doing a big blunder by opting for the war? Is a kingdom really essential for me? Just to attain a kingdom, should I destroy my entire family and my next generation as well? Even now it is not too late! Oh Bhagawan Krishna! If you still feel that I’ve to put all these weapons down and go to the forest, I shall be ready to do it. I’m prepared to sacrifice my kingdom if that would save thousands of lives. I’ve in fact done that for the past thirteen years, and it is nothing new for me to do today. However, tomorrow if I’ve to bear an insult against my name, I would not be able to handle it. I do not want my next generations of people to abuse me saying that Yudishtra was someone who is completely “Anti-Dharma”, and he is the one who is responsible for the massacre of the entire “Bharata-Vamsa”. Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Even now it is not too late! We’ve not announced a war yet! We’ve not sent out the war cry still! We still have an opportunity to resurrect. Maybe if you feel that I should personally go to Duryodhana and talk with him, I’m ready to do it! Even if I’ve to go back to Viraata Desha now, I’m ready to go. I do not have any ego that would haunt me that I’m a coward. If this is “Dharma” according to you, I’m prepared to go to any extent to execute it, but if we commence the war and then look back, we cannot go back at that point in time, isn’t it? Hence Bhagawan! Please advise me on what I should do!”
We can see here as to how Yudishtra is concerned. So for this, Bhagawan has to reply, isn’t it? We shall wait till the next episode to witness an important reply from Bhagawan Krishna! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 