In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna’s befitting reply to Yudishtra’s concern. As we’ve seen Yudishtra is getting concerned about whether he would still be walking the path of “Dharma” if the war takes place and if thousands of people are killed in it. Yudishtra is still prepared to renounce everything and go back to the forest, if this would mean saving the lives of everyone, including those in the Kaurava clan. However, Bhagawan Krishna is firm on the thought that this war is inevitable and it has to take place. He explains once again to Yudishtra that inspite talking so much to Duryodhana, he is not willing to lend his ears to Bhagawan’s words. Except Vidura and Sanjaya, nobody in Hastinapura is ready to walk out of Duryodhana’s fold, which shows that all of them including the likes of Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Sage Kripachaarya, etc. are in a way favouring Duryodhana. They might outwardly and mildly register their opposition to what Duryodhana is doing, but it is not on an impactful scale, isn’t it? We’ve seen this even during the infamous gambling episode wherein except Vidura, none of them raised their voice against Duryodhana’s atrocities. This cannot continue on and on, isn’t it? Moreover, Bhagawan also reminds Yudishtra that as a “Kshatrya” prince, it is his duty to protect his people from “Adharma”. If not for anything else, atleast for the benefit of the people and the kingdom, Yudishtra has to fight the war!
As Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna also has a bit to add. Arjuna says thus, “Oh brother! Please understand one thing very clearly – “Dharma” is not merely sacrificing everytime! If there’s a cause, we’ve to fight to uphold the “Dharma”! All of us have seen how Duryodhana took advantage of our compassion and sacrifice till today for so many years. If I would have got an opportunity, I would have thrashed Duryodhana on that very day when Draupati was molested publicly. Duryodhana has to pay a heavy price for that episode! Hence, as Bhagawan opines, it is our duty to fight the war with Duryodhana for the sake of “Dharma”!”
As Arjuna says thus, Bhagawan looks on and laughs within Himself a bit! Bhagawan Krishna thinks thus, “Oh wow! Look at this Arjuna! How boldly he is talking now! Let me see if this same courage continues when the war is going to begin!” 🙂 Bhagawan Krishna thinks so because, within another few more episodes, we’re going to witness this same Arjuna put down his bow and arrow and start crying that he is not interested in fighting this war! 🙂 But for now, Arjuna is also motivating Yudishtra to go for the war without any doubts. With all their inputs thus, Yudishtra firmly decides that he is going to go ahead with the war and of course, Bhagawan Krishna is always by their side!
Meanwhile, as this happens at Kurukshetra, Duryodhana is busy nominating his leaders for the army. He appoints Bhishmachaarya as the main “Senapati” (Commander in chief). Just like Yudishtra, Duryodhana also knows the intricacies of warfare and he too splits his army into several sections. We’ve already seen that Duryodhana’s army is quite larger as compared to Yudishtra’s. While Yudishtra’s army has severn “Akshauhinis”, Duryodhana’s army has eleven! So we can imagine the magnitude of the battle that is going to take place now at Kurukshetra! Planning out everything thus, Duryodhana and his army marches towards Kurukshetra and start setting up temporary tents for all of them to reside.
Now, as everything is being set up, Duryodhana meets Bhishmachaarya personally and requests him to formally take over as the “Senapati” of the army. Bhishmachaarya accepts it, however, with a condition! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness what is Bhishmachaarya’s condition to Duryodhana, if he has to take over as “Senapati”! Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 