In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of Day 3 war proceedings at Kurukshetra, wherein Duryodhana is crying foul to Bhishmachaarya saying that he was not taken care of adequately by his own Kaurava army. Duryodhana’s cry infuriates Bhishmachaarya as he begins fighting with a new rigour. This sends the Paandava army packing, and it results in utter chaos! The Paandava army starts dissipating on all directions, even as Saatyaki is trying to bring them together. Meanwhile, Bhagawan Krishna is watching all whatever is happening, even as Arjuna and Bheemasena stand helpless in front of Bhishmachaarya’s might and prowess! At one stage as Bhagawan realizes that Arjuna is not doing enough to tackle a progressive Bhishmachaarya, He gives a mouthful of banter to Arjuna, which makes him furious! A fierce battle ensues between the duo and both of them are extremely powerful in terms of the “Asthra-Prayogam”. However, neither of them are able to decode each other’s weaknesses! The fight keeps happening and Bhishmachaarya’s rampage continues unabated. The Paandava army continues to dissipate even as Saatyaki tries his best to stop it.
It is at this time, Bhagawan Krishna decides to take things on His own! Bhagawan Krishna talks to Saatyaki thus, “Oh Saatyaki! Why are you wanting to suffer like this in trying to unite the army? If people want to run away from the battlefield, let them do so. The war will now get over within the next five minutes! I’m fed up with the way you people are fighting the war. You’re not showing any intensity to counter a rampaging Bhishmachaarya!” Training His guns on Arjuna next, a visibly angry Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Given the fact that you’re not doing your duty properly on expected lines, I shall take it upon myself to finish things off! Within the next five minutes, this entire Kurukshetra battlefield will be devoid of people! I shall ensure that all of you are destroyed completely without a single soul left over!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna jumps down from the chariot with immense anger! He rushes towards Bhishmachaarya who is wreaking havoc in the Paandava army!
“Itheetamukthvaa tu mahaanu bhaavaha!
Sasmaa na chakram nishitam puraanam!!
Sudarshanam chintitamaakrameva!
Tasyaagrahasthvam svayam aaruroha!!”
This is a very important shloka which is being narrated by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra. Readers should not forget that all these narratives that we’re witnessing about the war proceedings are given by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra in a bid to apprise him of whatever is happening at Kurukshetra. So Sanjaya says thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Upon seeing Bhishmachaarya on a rampage, Bhagawan Krishna gets frustrated with the meek response that Arjuna is giving to counter Bhishmachaarya. Hence, He’s getting down from the chariot and is walking towards Bhishmachaarya, even as His “Utthareeyam” (Top garment) is falling off on the ground! Bhagawan Krishna is extremely angry at the moment and as He nears Bhishmachaarya, His divine “Chakram” comes from within His right hand! This is the most deadly weapon and it can destroy everyone within a split of a second!”
As Sanjaya says thus, King Dhritarashtra is stunned to bits! At the same time, in the battlefield too, the entire set of people who are fighting, come to a standstill! Arjuna is shocked beyond words! He did not expect Bhagawan to get down and take a weapon in His hand, because, He had earlier taken a “Pratignya” (Pledge) that He wouldn’t do so! At the same time, however, Bhishmachaarya had earlier taken a “Pratignya” (Pledge) that he would somehow make Bhagawan Krishna take the weapon in His hand during the war! Thus, Bhagawan Krishna wanted to satisfy His dear disciple’s (Bhishmachaarya) pledge, more than His own! This is the level to which Bhagawan comes down to safeguard the interests of His ardent “Bhaktas”! In other words, Bhagawan Krishna sacrifices His “Pratignya” for that of Bhishmachaarya’s, and this shows how ardent a Bhakta was Bhishmachaarya towards Bhagawan Krishna!
So for today, let us understand this important event that happens on day three at Kurukshetra battlefield, and in the next episode, we shall witness how is Bhishmachaarya going to tackle Bhagawan Krishna who is rushing towards him with the divine “Chakra-Aayudham”! Is Bhishmachaarya going to fight Bhagawan Krishna directly, or, are we in for another turn of events? Stay tuned for the next episode to witness! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 