In the previous episode, we had witnessed Yudishtra and Co. reaching the lakefront where Duryodhana is currently hiding under its waters. Upon reaching the spot, Yudishtra, knowing very well that Duryodhana is inside it, strikes a conversation with him, which was quite irritating in nature for Duryodhana. Yudishtra mocks Duryodhana for his cowardliness to go and hide inside the water with his “Maaya-Shakti” in between the war, and not facing them in person. Before this conversation, we’ve also seen Bhagawan Krishna giving the orders to Yudishtra & Co. to “go for the kill” against Duryodhana with the same “Maaya Shakti” (Illusionary warfare), primarily because Duryodhana is someone who will go to any extent to anything atrocious. While handling such enemies for whom “Dharma” is not even on paper, there is no point in following the principle of “Dharma” to wage a battle against them. We’ve to go down to their level and fight, and only then we would be able to win over them. This is a very important leadership lesson that Bhagawan Krishna is communicating here.
Thus, as Yudishtra teases Duryodhana with his words, Duryodhana retaliates that he is not a coward to go and hide. He is doing so, only to heal his body from all the bruises and injuries that he had received during the war for all these days. He says that he would be ready for the war once again the next day, however, Arjuna quickly intervenes by saying that there’s no nineteenth day of the war at Kurukshetra. If at all there’s a war, it should happen today and right now! Now, Duryodhana replies back to Yudishtra directly, ignoring Arjuna’s words. Duryodhana says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Please understand one thing very clearly – I’m not fighting this war for gaining the kingdom. I’m not interested in ruling the Hastinapura kingdom anymore. However, I’m fighting this war with the sole intention of defeating you. You may keep the kingdom with yourself only. You may rule the kingdom as per your whims and fancies. However, I want to ensure that you are defeated and you cut a sorry figure in front of everyone!”
As Duryodhana talks thus, Yudishtra becomes angry! Till this point, Yudishtra was trying to frustrate Duryodhana with his words, but now it is Duryodhana’s turn to frustrate Yudishtra. The war of words are clearly escalating between the duo here. Yudishtra now says to Duryodhana in return thus, “Oh Duryodhana! I do not want to be a king out of your mercy! Please understand that I’m not a beggar in front of you to beg for a kingdom to rule. I’m fighting for my rights, and I shall continue to do so. If you have the guts to fight, come out of the water and start doing so, rather than sitting inside like a coward and talking anything and everything that comes to your mouth. Oh Duryodhana! Do not forget that you had abducted my kingdom in the most unethical way possible, and I’m here only to retrieve the kingdom which is due for me! Hence, do not even entertain a thought in your mind that I’ve come begging for a kingdom from you! Firstly come out of the water!”
As Yudishtra angrily replies thus, the war of words escalates further. Now Duryodhana replies thus, “Oh Yudishtra! After so many heated exchanges, it is not fair that I sit here inside the water. I’m coming out immediately, however, with one condition – You are five in number and I’m currently all alone. Hence, I would want each one of you to come and wage a one-on-one battle with me. You may choose the weapons that you would want to attack me with. I shall also get ready accordingly. Hence, we shall have a one-on-one battle!” As Duryodhana says thus, Yudishtra agrees to the terms and conditions and asks Duryodhana to choose the weapon he wants to fight with. As Duryodhana chooses the “Gadha”, Yudishtra lets out an assurance thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Now that you’ve chosen your weapon, you may choose any one amongst the five of us, with whom you want to fight with!”
Now this is a very crucial statement that Yudishtra is making. The moment he says so, Bhagawan Krishna rushes towards Yudishtra, holds his hands and moves him away from that spot for a moment. Doing so, Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Do you even know what you’re talking? If Duryodhana is given that option of choosing anyone from the five of you, please understand that he will choose anybody except Bheemasena. If that happens, Duryodhana has the capability to destroy all of you within minutes. Oh Yudishtra! Please understand that Bheemasena is the right person to counter Duryodhana, and even if he has to do so successfully, he requires the divine “Anugraha” of Bhagawan. Without that, even Bheemasena cannot defeat Duryodhana. Hence, please understand the situation and do not give such foolish options to Duryodhana at this point. Let it be as if you are deputing Bheemasena for the final assault. Leave the rest to Bhagawan’s will and wish! Things will unfold!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna makes a timely intervention here and alerts Yudishtra of the impending danger! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 