In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important context being set up at the beginning of the “Shaanti Parva”, wherein Yudishtra and the Pandava brothers come to meet Bhishmachaarya along with Bhagawan Krishna. Yudishtra, after taking over as the king of Hastinapura, is not very interested in ruling the kingdom, after all the important people have died. He is feeling extremely lonely at the top, and at the same time, guilty for whatever has happened. We’ve seen in the earlier Parva that all the women who had lost their husbands, squarely blamed Yudishtra and Bhagawan Krishna for the entire debacle. This continues to haunt Yudishtra day and night. Unable to bare this, Yudishtra goes to Bhagawan Krishna to confess that he’s uninterested in ruling the kingdom anymore. Bhagawan Krishna rejects Yudishtra’s thought process and take him to Bhishmachaarya for advice. However, as Bhishmachaarya is very badly injured and is currently in the arrow bed, he expresses his inability to talk coherently and advise Yudishtra. Hence, Bhishmachaarya feels that Bhagawan Krishna would be the right person to render advice to Yudishtra.
Moving on thus, as Bhishmachaarya feels so, Bhagawan Krishna smiles at him and replies – “Oh great Bhishmachaarya! You are the senior-most person of our family. You are an epitome of all knowledge of “Dharma”. You will be the right person to advise Yudishtra, who is also an epitome of “Dharma”. You are the greatest “Aachaarya” according to me in this world currently. Your knowledge has to be disseminated to the younger generation before you pass away. Hence, as a tribute to the Pandava brothers for their victory in the war of “Dharma”, and as a duty of yours to contribute to their betterment as a grandfather, you’ve to disseminate your knowledge to Yudishtra. I know that your present situation is not helping you to bring the best out of you, however, please do not worry! With my divine “Anugraha”, you will be able to talk freely to Yudishtra. I shall be by your side, so that all the words that come out of your mouth will be pertaining to several aspects of “Dharma”, which would aid Yudishtra to rule the Hastinapura kingdom effectively. I shall ensure that you will be able to talk tirelessly and coherently!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna provides His divine “Anugraha” to Bhishmachaarya and thus, the important conversation between Bhishmachaarya and Yudishtra begins. As this happens, we’ve to witness one important message from Bhagawan Krishna, which is quite subtle here to understand. By making Bhishmachaarya do the talking to Yudishtra, Bhagawan Krishna highlights the importance of a “Guru” or “Aachaarya” in a person’s life. Even as Bhagawan Krishna Himself is standing amidst Yudishtra and the Paandavas, He could have very easily spoken and convinced Yudishtra. Why Bhishmachaarya in this context? The message here is that, whatever learning has to happen, it has to happen through a “Guru”, even if Bhagawan Himself is standing right there. This is a clear indication that whatever knowledge has to be inhibited, a “Guru-Sishya” relationship is important. Bhagawan should not come in the middle of this “Guru-Sishya” relationship. In other ways, as the “Guru” teaches the “Sishya” with the key aspects of attaining “Moksha”, Bhagawan’s duty is to provide His divine “Anugraha” to the “Sishya”, so that this important knowledge is completely absorbed by him / her. In addition, as per our “Sanaatana Dharma”, a “Jeevatma” should attain the highest “Moksha” (Salvation), not directly by coming to Bhagawan, but by exhibiting “Sharanagati” to the “Guru”. In turn, the role of the “Guru” is to serve as a bridge between the “Jeevatma” and the “Paramatma” (Bhagawan). The role of the “Guru” is to educate the “Jeevatma” about the significance of Bhagawan, make him realize it, experience it and thereby, enable him to attain Bhagawan. This is exactly what Bhagawan Krishna wants Bhishmachaarya to do, and Yudishtra to experience!
So for today, let us understand this important point on the “Guru-Sishya” relationship that Bhagawan Krishna is trying to highlight here, and in the next episode, we shall commence the important conversation that is about to begin between Yudishtra and Bhishmachaarya. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 