In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya literally breaking down in front of Yudishtra wherein he openly declares that he is hanging his head in shame because he is unable to stand on the side of “Dharma” alongside Bhagawan Krishna! Of course there were so many opportunities for Bhishmachaarya to course correct himself and come to the other side, but for some reason he never wanted to avail any of them. Hence, when Yudishtra comes to him and seeks his “Anugraha” and approval for commencing the war, the guilty consciousness in Bhishmachaarya pricks him and this makes him hang his head in shame!
Moving on further thus, Yudishtra now goes to Guru Dhronachaarya to seek his “Anugraha” and approval. Similar to Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya too, who knows the difference between “Dharma” and “Adharma” clearly, is also feeling guilty that he is standing on a side which he shouldn’t be standing on! Guru Dhronachaarya replies to Yudishtra thus, “Oh my dear Yudishtra! You are my most honest and sincere student and I’m yet to have such a student in my life with such a calibre! Moreover, let me tell you one thing – I belong to the Brahmin community and I myself do not know why I’m standing in this battlefield where a Brahmin does not have anything to do! As a Brahmin, my job is to protect the Vedas and Shaastras and to teach them to the prospective learners, and I’m not supposed to enter into a battlefield at any point in time. However, owing to compelling reasons I’ve betrayed my “Dharma” in a big way by marking my presence in a place where I shouldn’t belong! Hence, in this one aspect itself I’ve encountered a failure even before the war commences. I give you my wholehearted “Anugraha” as your teacher and you may go ahead with the war!”
Guru Dhronachaarya continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! I know what you will be asking next – What is the method that you should adopt so as to kill me in this war? Now let me tell you something very clearly – Nobody, even Indra and the other Devatas can defeat me in any war, however, words that come out of great Maharishis’ mouths will never be false! In order to destroy me, there is a person by name Drishtadhyumna who has taken birth in this world from the divine offering which was given to Agni Bhagawan by King Drupada several years ago! This Drishtadhyumna’s sole purpose in life is to kill me. I think the time has come for this to happen. It is only a matter of a very few days from now. If Agni Bhagawan is being worshipped for this sole purpose and if Agni Bhagawan has answered the prayer for the same, then it is inevitable! It doesn’t matter whether I like Drishtadhyumna or not. It doesn’t matter if I’m his friend or an enemy. But as per the destiny, Drishtadhyumna has taken birth unanimously for killing me and if it has to happen with the blessings of Agni Bhagawan, nobody can stop it! Hence, oh Yudishtra! You may find a way by coordinating with Drishtadhyumna to kill me in this battle!”
Saying thus, Guru Dhronachaarya continues further with an important point – “Oh Yudishtra! Please understand – Until the point I’m holding any “Asthra” or my bow in my hands, nobody on this earth can defeat me! I’m extremely powerful with my weapons. You need to find a way to make me put down my weapons and at a time when I’m standing without them, that is the time when I can be killed! Oh Yudishtra! Your next question will be how do you make me put down my weapons, isn’t it? Now let me tell you that also clearly – If I happen to hear shocking news about someone who is extremely close to my heart, I will not be able to tolerate it. With this shock, I shall put down my weapons on that spot itself and will be completely shattered! You may look for this time and this will give you success!”
As Guru Dhronachaarya says thus, Bhagawan Krishna silently observes these points and makes a note! All of us know that if Bhagawan makes a note, things will span out in an unprecedented manner which we might not even have thought of, isn’t it? So for today, let us understand up to this point and we’ve seen how Guru Dhronachaarya has blurted out the secret behind his future defeat and demise. We’ve seen yesterday how Bhishmachaarya handled it quite smartly. So in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further to witness many more secrets being blurted out, even before the war commences! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 