In the previous episode, we had witnessed the grand culmination of the Bhagawad Gita, which was spanning across the past 130-odd episodes of detailing. The Bhagawad Gita ends in a note wherein Sanjaya is explaining to King Dhritarashtra at Hastinapura that the eleventh “Adhyaaya” wherein Bhagawan Krishna showed His divine “Vishwaroopa” to Arjuna was something that he could always remember forever in his life! Sanjaya is in tears as he says this! He further says to King Dhritarashtra that with Bhagawan Krishna on the Paandavas’ side firmly, Duryodhana and Co. do not even have an iota of possibility to win this war. In other words, this Kurukshetra war is a mere formality as far as Bhagawan Krishna is concerned and this is going to end up in a great disaster to the entire Kaurava camp. As Bhagawan Himself has declared that He is none other than “Kaala Devata” who has come here to destroy all forms of “Adharma” that is happening here. Bhagawan says in the Bhagawad Gita – “Kaalosmi lokahkshayakrith”, which means that He has taken a divine “Sankalpa” of destroying this entire world as the “Dvaapara Yuga” comes to an end! It is only a matter of time that this “Sankalpa” of Bhagawan is executed, and Arjuna, along with his Paandava brothers will be divine instruments under Bhagawan Krishna’s hands!
Moving on further thus, now Arjuna replies back to Bhagawan Krishna – “Oh Bhagawan! Initially I was extremely confused as to what is “Dharma” and what is “Adharma”. That confusion has come to an end now, thanks to your excellent words of advice and guidance. Now I’m very clear on what I’ve to do. From now onwards I totally understand that fighting the war is my most important duty as a “Kshatrya” warrior. I totally understand that if “Dharma” has to win, I’ve to fight this war. Also, I realize that I’m not fighting this war for my own personal name and fame, but for the sake of “Dharma” needing to be protected. I’m fighting this war because you want me to do so, as part of your divine “Sankalpa”. I’m accepting to be your divine instrument in your divine hands! Oh Bhagawan! From now onwards, you may use me in whatever way you want, for the sake of restoring the “Dharma” in this world!”
Upon reading this, we might have a question in our mind – “Oh! Is fighting a war an act of “Dharma”? Is killing thousands of people in a battlefield an act of righteousness? How can it be? War can have disastrous consequences on the entire world, isn’t it? If such is the case, how can fighting a war be classified as “Dharma”?” The answer is very simple – Bhagawan Krishna also did not want this war to happen, and it is only because of this reason, He Himself went as a messenger to explain the stance of the Paandava brothers to Duryodhana and Co. Several attempts were made to thwart this war from happening, but every attempt failed. Finally, there was no other option but to go for the war. This is one side of the justification as per the Mahabharata storyline. Now, when we look at it from the aspect of “Dharma”, fighting a war becomes an act of “Dharma” if we’re doing it as a sake of “Loka-Paripaalanam” (Protecting the world) without any personal expectations of obtaining name and fame. If we’re fighting the war with the sole intention of protecting our country and people, it is definitely an act of “Dharma”. However, if the war is fought with a lot of “Ahankaaram” (Arrogance), it is definitely an act of “Adharma” and should be avoided.
Moreover, if war becomes an act of “Adharma”, why at all should we have military bases in today’s context, protecting our territorial borders from the intrusion of enemies? Establishing a strong army and a powerful force on the ground is extremely important for protecting our country and this is part of the “Dharma” of any government in power in any country across the world! If there is any intrusion of any enemy force, the military should immediately swing into action to protect the innocent people from being attacked, isn’t it? This is “Dharma”! However, can we say that because killing other living beings is “Adharma” and thus, the military should not kill the enemy forces and let them go scott free? We cannot, right?
This is where we’ve to make a clear demarcation. Thus, for all those fringe elements who viciously try to propagate that Bhagawan Krishna tried to induce violence and disaster through the Bhagawad Gita, here’s my answer – Fighting a war is a “Dharma” for a warrior. If the fight is for protecting the territorial borders and the people inside the country, it is definitely classified as “Dharma”, and Bhagawan Krishna wants Arjuna to do this only! Not even in a single place amidst the 700 shlokas of Bhagawad Gita, Bhagawan Krishna is saying that violence is the way to go about things in whatever we do in life! Of course, violence is not the solution for anything, but if the circumstance demands it, there is no other option but to go for a war! Secondly, is Bhagawan Krishna the only one who wants the war to happen? In fact, more than Bhagawan Krishna, Duryodhana was the one who was brimming right from day one to go for a war with the Paandavas and it was Bhagawan Krishna who was skillfully putting it off every now and then. So if this war is not fought, how will Draupati get justice for what happened to her in the public courtroom? If this war is not fought, how will Duryodhana’s atrocities be brought to the book? If this war is not fought, how will the Paandavas obtain justice for all these years of suffering that they had to undergo in the hands of the wicked Duryodhana and Co.? How will Yudishtra obtain justice for the way he was insulted in the public courtroom during the gambling game episode?
Hence, to all those fringe elements out there – If you’re making comments about something in our “Sanaatana Dharma”, you should have a proper understanding of the subject before doing so! Rather, if you’re going to make such comments in a half-baked fashion without adequate knowledge, get ready to be thrashed like this brutally! So with this note, we shall come to the conclusion of the Bhagawad Gita officially and in the next episode, we shall commence the proceedings of the war at Kurukshetra! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 