In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna consoling Drauapti and Subhadra Devi over Abhimanyu’s untimely and unexpected demise on the battlefield. Bhagawan Krishna explains that such things are quite common for a “Kshatrya” warrior and we’ve to take it with a pinch of salt as we move on. Advising them thus, Bhagawan Krishna returns to His chamber and is engaged in a deep thought process. Bhagawan Krishna suddenly has a feeling that Arjuna has made a mistake by taking the “Pratignya” of killing Jayatrada before the next evening’s sunset. Bhagawan Krishna suddenly feels that Arjuna has blindly taken the pledge without analysing the depth of the problem, but with the only assurance that Bhagawan Krishna will protect him at all times. Hence, the onus now lies on Bhagawan Krishna to protect Arjuna and keep up his pledge. For this, Bhagawan calls His charioteer, Daaruka and asks him to keep everything ready – His weapons, Shankam, Chakram, etc. Bhagawan gives a stern message to Daaruka that if Arjuna is failing in his attempt to kill Jayatrada tomorrow, He Himself is going to step into the battle with all His weapons and finish off this war at that moment itself!
Moreover, as Bhagawan instructs Daaruka thus, He also expresses His thoughts about Arjuna! Bhagawan says that He cannot imagine a life without Arjuna beside Him, and if Bhagawan Himself who is normally detached from all Jeevatmas has to say such things, it only shows the extent to which Arjuna has surrendered himself to Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet! Moving on thus, Bhagawan Krishna thinks further – “Oh! If Arjuna has to defeat and kill Jayatrada tomorrow, it is not going to be possible without the help of the “Paashupatha-Astram”. No other “Asthram” can kill Jayatrada and now where would Arjuna go and get it? We are already in the middle of the night and tomorrow morning the war will commence! Isn’t it too late now to go to “Kailaasa Parva” and meet Bhagawan Shiva to get it? Of course, Arjuna had already obtained the “Paashupatha-Asthram” from Bhagawan Shiva earlier, but it has to be activated formally by none other than Bhagawan Shiva Himself only. I cannot do anything with it from here. So the immediate task is to somehow make Arjuna meet Bhagawan Shiva! How do we do this? The only way out now is to make Arjuna meet Bhagawan Shiva in his dreams! I’m sure Arjuna would be fast asleep by now. So let me make him meet Bhagawan Shiva now itself. It is either now or never and hence, I’ve to act fast here!”
Thus, amidst his deep sleep, Bhagawan Krishna comes first in his dream and says thus, “Oh Arjuna! If you’ve to kill Jayatrada tomorrow, you will need the “Paashupata-Asthram” to do it. Of course you have it with you, but it has to be duly activated by Bhagawan Shiva. But that will happen only if you meet Him!” All these conversations happen in Arjuna’s dreams and readers should keep this in mind as we progress further with this conversation. So after listening to Bhagawan Krishna’s brief accord, Arjuna replies back thus, “Oh Bhagawan! Isn’t it too late for it? How do I go and meet Bhagawan Shiva at “Kailasa Parvatha” now? Bhagawan Krishna now gives an important reply thus – “Oh Arjuna! See – You’ve forgotten a very important thing – A few days ago I showed you my “Vishwaroopa Darshan” didn’t I? In that, didn’t you see Bhagawan Shiva and Bhagawan Brahma as part of my enchanting divine form? They are inside me only! Hence, don’t worry! Surrender to my divine lotus feet once again and I shall do the needful!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Arjuna catches hold of Bhagawan’s feet tightly and with this, Bhagawan Krishna takes Arjuna swiftly to “Kailasa Parvatha” to meet Bhagawan Shiva! All these happen in a flash and in Arjuna’s dreams! As Bhagawan Shiva sees Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna in front of Him, He’s very happy to see both of them and asks for the reason for their sudden visit. Bhagawan Krishna details Bhagawan Shiva that Arjuna is in an urgent need of the “Paashupatha-Asthram” to kill Jayatrada. Bhagawan Krishna briefs Bhagawan Shiva that Arjuna has taken a pledge to kill Jayatrada by next evening and the only way to do so is through the “Paashupata-Asthram”. Hence, Bhagawan Krishna requests Bhagawan Shiva to provide His divine “Anugraha” through the “Paashupata-Asthram” immediately!
Listening to Bhagawan Krishna’s brief accord, Bhagawan Shiva quickly understands the gravity of the situation. He immediately provides His divine “Anugraha” to both of them and specially for Arjuna, in the form of the “Paashupata-Asthram”. With this, Bhagawan Krishna and Arjuna pay their respects to Bhagawan Shiva and quickly return back to the “Bhoo-Lokham” and to Kurukshetra!
As mentioned, all these events unfold in Arjuna’s dream during the night, and within a flash, Bhagawan Krishna ensures that Arjuna has the “Paashupata-Asthram” ready for the next day’s war! Now, the war on Day Fourteen is going to get more interesting and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this accord further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 