In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna giving a strong and a befitting reply to Duryodhana’s wild allegations that it was Bhagawan Krishna who was responsible for the entire Kurukshetra disaster that unfolded. Bhagawan clearly highlights all the blunders that Duryodhana had committed right from his childhood days till the present day! Moreover, Duryodhana has been inflicted with several curses from Maharishis and their words can never become untrue. Also, it is not only about Duryodhana here – All people who assembled at Kurukshetra had several “Karma” accumulated in them at several points in time. The battlefield was just a meeting place for all “Karma” to take charge and interact with each other! Hence, Bhagawan Krishna explains that blaming Him for the fiasco is totally unfair and that Duryodhana has to reflect upon himself to check how he can correct himself atleast now, even if it is not too late!
Moreover, Bhagawan Krishna adds another important point here thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Think this way now – Do you think the loss is only on your side alone? Look at the Paandava camp. There are several great people who died – In the likes of Abhimanyu, Ghatodgaja, King Drupada, King Virat, etc. Only the five Paandava brothers, along with Saatyaki and a very few others are remaining in their side as well. Of course on your side, the great Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Karna, etc. have died. For all these deaths on both the camps, you are the one who is solely responsible!” As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, His attention suddenly turns towards Yudishtra. Bhagawan continues to say thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You were also party to all this, weren’t you?” As Yudishtra is looking on, he did not expect this sudden change of face from Bhagawan Krishna! A surprised Yudishtra replies back to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! What was my fault here? I tried my best to walk the path of “Dharma” at all times. I never wanted this war to happen. It was Duryodhana who wanted this entire fiasco to unfold. Why are you blaming me here?”
As Yudishtra asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna gets slightly angry. He replies thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Have you forgotten whatever happened in the past? Even in these eighteen days, you should have protected all your people in the battlefield as the leader of the camp. However, you failed in your duty on many occasions! If you would have been in the forefront fighting the war, many lives could have been saved! Rather, you chose to play on the backfoot and you wanted all of them to surround you and protect you! This is your mistake! Moreover, you made the decision to attend and play the gambling game at the Hastinapura courtroom on that fateful day! Don’t you know as a righteous king that gambling is an illegal affair and is against the “Raaja-Dharma”? Fine! You played it – But what mistake did Draupati make? Why did you stake her in the game and play? Don’t you know that this is an extreme blunder? After she got insulted by the opposition, you started crying foul. But who was the reason for that entire disaster? It was solely you! Hence, Yudishtra! Do not even open your mouth once to say that you are without any fault!”
We might wonder here as to why Bhagawan Krishna is suddenly training His guns towards Yudishtra! This is where we’ve to understand that our entire life and “Karma” are extremely complex in nature! For instance, in this “Draupati insult” episode, we’ve to understand how many people were at fault here – It is not just the fault of Duryodhana and King Dhritarashtra alone! Many of us, in fact, get carried away by this narrative, because we frequently put all the blame on Duryodhana only. Of course, Duryodhana was wicked and there’s no doubt about that. However, wasn’t Yudishtra at fault for staking Draupati and playing the gamble? Even the “Devas” have a fault on them – Why were they witnessing all these instances unfold in front of their eyes? All the Paandava brothers are also at fault – Because, as husbands, isn’t their duty to protect Draupati at all times? They allowed Ducchaasana to go ahead and do whatever he did! Duryodhana and Karna were of course at fault – It was both of them who ordered Draupati to be dragged into the courtroom in front of everyone! Thus, it is very clear that one person cannot be pointed out for this entire fiasco. Similarly, Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya are at fault because they never opened their mouth and opposed what Duryodhana was saying in the courtroom! Being senior pros, they should have stood for justice, but they failed in their roles!
Thus, the Kurukshetra war was a culmination of all these elements and people, and hence, Bhagawan Krishna says here that this disaster happened not just because of Duryodhana alone – But also because of several people! 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 