In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna taking Arjuna right in the middle of both the armies in the Kurukshetra battlefield. Moreover, it is not in front of Duryodhana or Ducchaashana that Bhagawan Krishna is parking the chariot – It is exactly in front of Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya! Had Arjuna seen Duryodhana and his brothers first up, he would have probably taken his arrows and his “Gaandeepa” would have been in full force right from the word “Go”! However, Bhagawan Krishna is very smart! He has a clear agenda in His mind – To gift the divine Bhagawad Gita to the entire world, isn’t it? How does He do that? If the chariot is in front of Duryodhana, the world will not get the Gita. However, if the chariot is parked in front of Bhishmachaarya, Arjuna’s emotions would change and with this, Bhagawan can gift the Gita to the entire world, through Arjuna! From this, we can see how the divine power (“Deiva Sankalpa”) works!
Moving on further thus, as Arjuna sees Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya, things start changing in him! He starts shaking with fear and tears start rolling down his eyes!
“Bhishma Dhrona pramukataaha sarveshaancha maheekshitaam!
Uvaacha paartha pashyethaam samavethaam kuru nidhim!!”
As fear looms within Arjuna, Bhagawan Krishna tells him thus, “Oh Arjuna! Oh Partha! Now we’re at the centre of the battlefield. Look at who all have come to fight you down! All of them assembled in front of you are the greats of the Kuru Kula! Please have a look around and this will help you to strategize your subsequent moves better!”
“Tatra apasaschitaam paarthaha pitrunnatah pitaa mahaan!
Aachaaryaan maatulaan braathrun puthraan pouthraan sakhimstathaah!!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Arjuna looks around – Only to find his own sons, brothers, father-in-laws, grandfathers, great grandfathers, etc. standing around him! His entire family has assembled there opposite each other, ready to go for the kill! As Arjuna sees thus, he thinks within himself – “Oh wow! Normally in a battle, we would see one side full of your loved ones, and on the other side, you will see all your enemies! But here, this battle is something grossly different! I’m seeing my loved ones, near and dear ones on both sides! In fact, this entire Kurukshetra battlefield is full of only my loved ones everywhere! What is happening here? Are we doing the right thing by going for this war?”
Thinking thus, Arjuna talks back to Bhagawan Krishna – “Oh Keshav! Are we doing the right thing of fighting this war? Upon seeing all these people, I’m starting to sweat! My body is beginning to feel uncomfortable! I’ve fought so many wars in the past as you know! However, I’ve never felt this kind of a strange feeling within me. My intuition indicates to me that if this war happens, it is going to be a great disaster and that too, I would be at the centre of all of it! Oh Bhagawan Krishna! My body is starting to tremble with fear! I’m starting to feel uneasy! Sweat is pouring all over me and I’m feeling tired and sad! Afterall, these people are my own relatives! My sons are there! My in-laws are there! My grandfather Bhishmachaarya is there in front of me! My Guru is also standing along with him! In fact, my entire family is in front of me! Am I going to kill all these people in the name of this war? If I really succeed in this, what am I going to gain?”
Saying thus, Arjuna starts weeping bitterly! Tears roll down his eyes and his powerful “Gaandeepa” bow falls down from his hands automatically! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 