In the previous episode, we had witnessed two important events – Firstly, Duryodhana convincing Jayatrada to stay on, as he was trying to escape from Kurukshetra, fearing Arjuna’s firm resolve of killing him before the next evening. Duryodhana assures him of all safety and security at all times around him. Meanwhile, secondly, we’ve witnessed Draupati mourning Abhimanyu’s death. Bhagawan Krishna consoles her with some hard-hitting facts that nobody can challenge “Kaala Devata” and if the time comes for someone to pass away, nobody can stop it. Moreover, as Abhimanyu has obtained “Veera-Gathi”, there is nothing to worry for Draupati and rather, she should feel proud of her son’s immense contribution towards “Dharma”. Moreover, Bhagawan Krishna assures Draupati that Arjuna has taken a resolve to finish Jayatrada somehow by tomorrow evening and with this, He ensures that Draupati is consoled.
Meanwhile, as Bhagawan Krishna finishes His accord with Draupati thus, He sits alone and enters into a deep thought – “Oh wow! Arjuna has blindly taken a pledge to kill Jayatrada by tomorrow evening, without even thinking for a minute! He has not done any research on whether this can be possible or not, before taking the pledge! He has taken it just with the assurance that I’m there with him all the time! Hence it is now my duty to ensure that Arjuna’s pledge doesn’t go in vain!” Thinking thus, Bhagawan Krishna calls for His personal charioteer by name Daaruka. As Daaruka arrives, Bhagawan Krishna secretly gives him some instructions. Bhagawan Krishna says to Daaruka thus, “Oh Daaruka! I’m calling you here secretly to pass on a very important message – I’ve become so attached to Arjuna somehow! I cannot even imagine a world without Arjuna being by my side! He is so near and dear to me! I do not want to lose Arjuna and if I lose him in this battle, I cannot live anymore in this world! Hence, Oh Daaruka! Please get our chariot ready for tomorrow’s important pursuit! It is going to be a “do-or-die” situation for Arjuna tomorrow! Hence, please ensure that everything is in place!”
We should note here – If Bhagawan has to tell that He cannot imagine a life without Arjuna’s presence, we should understand how much of an unconditional surrender Arjuna had for Bhagawan Krishna! Afterall who is Arjuna? He is just another “Jeevatma” like all of us, isn’t he? Till this point, Bhagawan Himself has spoken so much about detachment, and He has just now consoled Draupati and Shubadra Devi that they have to learn detachment from Abhimanyu! It is the same Bhagawan Krishna who had advised Arjuna to move on with things by saying that death is inevitable for a “Kshatrya” warrior when he hits the battlefield! However, now, if Bhagawan has to say these words that He cannot live without Arjuna’s presence, it only shows Arjuna’s complete surrender and the level of trust that Arjuna has on Bhagawan Krishna! Their mutual bonding is something that all of us should admire and learn from! Of course, we know that Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna are none other than the “Nara-Narayana” combine, but the way in which both of them respected each other mutually at all times, is something for all of us to learn. The way in which Arjuna approached Bhagawan Krishna everytime with unconditional surrender is admirable and we should learn our lessons from this! This unconditional surrender and tremendous faith that Arjuna had on Bhagawan Krishna is what is making Bhagawan say that He could not imagine a world without Arjuna’s presence!
Continuing His accord to Daaruka thus, Bhagawan says – “Oh Daaruka! Along with ensuring that our chariot is ready with all the necessary things, please keep my “Shankam”, “Chakram”, “Gadha”, etc. inside the chariot with all preparedness. Please inform “Chakarathaazhwar” that if the need arises, Bhagawan Krishna would not hesitate to finish this war by tomorrow! Oh Daaruka! If Arjuna encounters any challenge during tomorrow’s battle, I will not hesitate to take my weapons and fight the war by myself! I will not allow Arjuna to taste defeat in this war! He has had enough till now, and it is now my duty to take over! Oh Daarkuka! I’m extremely neutral towards everyone in this world, including my parents, my children, my wives, great Maharishis, etc. I’m always with a detached mind with all these people. However, when it comes to Arjuna, I have a special soft corner towards him! It is because, he is the only one who has lived up to my expectation everytime! He has endured a lot for me and every time when he is undergoing something, he would call out for me! Hence, if I’m not taking care of Arjuna at this crucial juncture, my entire incarnation would go down the drain!”
These are extremely important words that are coming out of Bhagawan Krishna’s mouth and it has extreme significance! As we move into Day Fourteen of Kurukshetra, we will slowly start understanding the real meaning of Bhagawan’s words! Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna prepares Daaruka with all the necessary instructions and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 