In the previous episode, we had witnessed King Dhritarashtra commence the proceedings of the Bhagawad Gita, by asking an important question to Sanjaya. King Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya as to what is happening currently at Kurukshetra which is a very important Kshetra of “Dharma”. In fact, the place called Kurukshetra is referred to as “Dharma-Kshetra” in this shloka because, this is the place which is going to decide whether “Dharma” should win or not. At a time when “Dharma” is experiencing a huge downfall, courtesy, Duryodhana and Co. Bhagawan has to fulfil the main purpose of His divine incarnation, doesn’t He? Hence, Bhagawan Krishna decides to be physically present during the war at Kurukshetra and the main purpose here is to ensure that “Dharma” attains victory over “Adharma”. Hence, since Kurukshetra is the place where “Dharma” attains the necessary victory, it is referred to as the “Dharma-Kshetra”. Thus, in this “Dharma-Kshetra”, referred to as “Kurukshetra”, what are my sons and the Paandavas doing? This is what King Dhritarashtra is asking Sanjaya, and for this, Sanjaya is going to give a detailed reply. Let us commence Sanjaya’s accord in this episode.
As Sanjaya commences his accord, he says thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! You’ve asked an important question here and let me begin from this place. Now this is day one of the Kurukshetra war and everybody has assembled and taken their respective places. You had asked what your son Duryodhana was doing, didn’t you? Now let me tell you – Your son Duryodhana is looking around to see how the Drishtadhyumna-led Paandava army is waiting on the other side to go for the kill. Upon seeing the mammoth army of the Paandavas, Duryodhana starts feeling jittery! He is beginning to panic straightaway. On one hand, the Kaurava army is being led by the powerful Bhishmachaarya himself and on the other hand, even though Drishtadhyumna might have been the leader, the real leader is Bhagawan Krishna, who is seated in one corner upon Arjuna’s chariot as his charioteer. Upon taking the first survey of the entire army thus, a lot of thoughts run in Duryodhana’s mind. Hence, he straightaway goes to Guru Dhronachaarya without wasting any time. Duryodhana asks thus, “Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! The Paandava army standing on the opposite side is quite limited in size (“Pariyaartham”), whereas, our army is completely limitless and is mammoth in size (“Apariyaartham”)! Our side is led by Bhishmachaarya and he is the one with the responsibility to protect and lead all of us. On the other side, Bheemasena is extremely strong and he can singlehandedly take the responsibility of protecting everyone! Hence, how do we go ahead and win this war?”
This question from Duryodhana – If we see this from an outward sense, it might show his confidence. He says that his army is countless and limitless, led by the powerful Bhishmachaarya, whereas, the Paandava army is not that great, with Bheemasena being the powerful person trying to protect them. However, if we take references from various commentaries of either Adi-Shankara Bhagawad Paada, Saint Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika, etc. we would find a different sense attached to this. For instance, Vedanta Desika clearly explains that if Duryodhana has to ask such a question to Guru Dhronachaarya, it is not out of confidence, but out of extreme fear of losing! We might wonder how this is possible? Moreover, the war hasn’t even begun, and even at this stage, how can Duryodhana be scared? In fact, it was Duryodhana who wanted this war to happen and we’ve seen this earlier at many instances! So, how can we say that Duryodhana is in fear upon seeing the Paandavas’ army? An interesting accord awaits us in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 