In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the fierce battle between Arjuna and Karna, wherein Karna had lost his chariot and his weapons as well. He had forgotten the key “Mantras” of the “Asthrams” that he had learnt from his Guru Parasurama. Moreover, as his chariot gets stuck in the ground, one one hand Karna is trying to pull its wheels with his hands itself, while on the other hand, he is trying to keep himself away from Arjuna’s relentless attack. Meanwhile, Bhagawan Krishna is also motivating Arjuna and pushing him to go for the kill even if Karna is weaponless and is standing on the ground without a chariot. Bhagawan Krishna’s reasoning is very simple – As a “Kshatrya” warrior, Karna should know how to navigate through tough times and come out victorious, rather than brooding over what is not there and what is lost. If he has lost a chariot, he should get into another one and continue fighting. At no place it has been mentioned that the fight with the enemy should stop if the enemy is weaponless and standing on the ground. Hence, Bhagawan Krishna instructs Arjuna to go ahead in attacking Karna even if he’s weaponless!
Moreover, most importantly Bhagawan Krishna asks Arjuna to take this extreme step because of the fact that Karna’s curses are coming to reality at this crucial moment. At a time when Karna is being deserted by everyone in the battlefield, even though he is the “Senapati”, indicates that fate has taken over! His time of death has come closer, and this is “Deiva-Sankalpam”. If Karna has to die at this point, nobody can stop it from happening. At this point, as Karna once again laments about “Dharma” not coming to his rescue at this critical juncture, Bhagawan Krishna gets angry upon Karna. Now, Karna is talking to Arjuna that he has to wait till the chariot wheel is pulled out. Karna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! You are a disciple of Guru Dhronachaarya! Don’t you know which is “Dharma” and “Adharma” in a battlefield? Is it right on your part to keep attacking me relentlessly when I’m on the ground without any weapons? Is it right on your part to pierce me with your arrows when I’m struggling single-handedly to lift up my chariot once again? You have Bhagawan Krishna beside you! Now I understand one thing clearly – “Dharma” is never going to protect anybody who is going after it! “Dharma” is never going to protect anybody who is striving to protect it! I’ve followed so much of “Dharma” in my life till now, but all of it has gone in vain at a crucial juncture like this!”
As Karna once again laments for the second time in a row, Bhagawan Krishna angrily replies back to Karna thus, “Oh wow! Look who is talking about “Dharma”! When Abhimanyu was also on the ground sans weapons in hand, all of you teamed up to attack and kill him, didn’t you? Where did “Dharma” go at that time? When Abhimanyu shuddered for help, all of you blocked Yudishtra and Co. to come for his defense. Where did your “Dharma” go at that time? When Drauapti was publicly humiliated and molested during that fateful gambling episode, where did your “Dharma” go? You were one amongst Duryodhana and Co. to verbally abuse Draupati as a “Daasi” (Servant), weren’t you? Where did your “Dharma” go then? When Draupati was being insulted, you were the one who wanted her to come and sit on Duryodhana’s lap. Where did your “Dharma” go then? All of you teamed up and tried to burn the Paandava brothers inside the “Laaksa-Griham” (Wax Palace), didn’t you? Where did your “Dharma” go at that time? Oh Karna! Do you want me to point out more and more such instances where you’ve compromised “Dharma”? So having done all this, why are you lamenting now?”
Saying these angrily, Bhagawan continues further to answer Karna’s points. He says thus, “Oh Karna! Whatever you’re saying about “Dharma” is totally wrong! Now let me tell you one thing very clearly – It is the same “Dharma” that you are talking about, which is protecting Arjuna. Please understand – “Dharma” is not as opportunistic as you think! Arjuna walked the path of “Dharma” along with his brother Yudishtra and hence they are being protected by it today at a crucial juncture. However, in your case, “Dharma” will not protect you because, it was you who was opportunistic towards it. “Dharma” is common for all and never try to twist and turn it according to your whims and fancies! Oh Karna! I’m happy now that atleast at this juncture you’re realizing and talking about “Dharma”!
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna is going to convey an important message here, which we shall witness in the upcoming episode! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall continue with what Bhagawan Krishna has to say next! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 