In the previous episode, we had witnessed Yudishtra finally getting convinced to go back to Hastinapura and assume the responsibility of ruling the kingdom – Thanks to Sage Vyaasa’s and Bhagawan Krishna’s timely interventions. As Yudishtra accepts, the entire caravan makes a move towards the Hastinapura palace, only to be stopped by Chaaruvaaka, who was a good friend of Duryodhana. Chaaruvaaka abuses Yudishtra in front of all the Maharishis and Bhagawan Krishna, and in return, he gets burnt down by them straightaway! This was technically the last hurdle for Yudishtra to assume the biggest responsibility of Hastinapura kingdom, and with this, a grand “Pattabishekam” ceremony followed. Yudishtra is finally crowned the king of Hastinapura, with the divine presence of Bhagawan Krishna, Sage Vyaasa, and the others.
As the ceremony comes to an end and as we move forward, something interesting happens. Bhagawan Krishna is sitting and talking amidst the Pandava brothers, in the sidelines of the grand “Pattabishekam” ceremony. There is a friendly conversation going on between Bheemasena, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva and Bhagawan Krishna, and all of them are rejoicing the victory over Duryodhana and Co. Arjuna is slowly recalling all the ordeals that they had to undergo all through their lives, and how with Bhagawan’s “Anugraha”, they were able to cross through all of them. As this conversation is going on, Bhagawan Krishna suddenly feels that He has to go somewhere. Hence, He immediately gets up from the “Aasanam” (Seat) and starts walking! Upon being stopped by Arjuna and the others, Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! I feel that Bhishmachaarya is meditating upon me! He is still alive in the “Arrow bed”, isn’t he? I think I’ll have to give him some time, as his days are coming to a close. Oh Arjuna! Call Yudishtra immediately and we’ve to rush towards Bhishmachaarya. Yudishtra has to learn a few important lessons of “Dharma” from him before he breathes his last!”
As Bhagawan says thus, Arjuna obeys His words and immediately sets off to call Yudishtra. As Yudishtra comes, Bhagawan explains the situation to him. Yudishtra immediately asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! I understand that we’ve to see Bhishmachaarya and pay our respects to him during his last moments. But why are you insisting that we should learn “Dharma” from him, when you are with us? I’m not understanding the in-depth meaning behind this move of yours! So can you please explain to me – You’re the one who has given the sacred Bhagawad Gita to this world, through Arjuna. You are extremely competent to teach us all the aspects of “Dharma” in a nutshell. If such is the case, why should we learn from Bhishmachaarya?”
Now, this is a very important question that Yudishtra is asking here. For this, Bhagawan Krishna gives a beautiful reply to him thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You are right! You’ve asked an important question. The answer to this is as follows – Yes! I was the one who gave the Bhagawad Gita. But, if I keep talking about myself all the time, it wouldn’t sound good beyond a point. However, if an “Aachaarya” (Guru) talks about me, you will be able to understand and appreciate better! Bhishmachaarya is the “Aachaarya” of all “Aachaaryas” in this world! He is the greatest “Guru” that the world has ever seen till now. After him, the world is not going to see a greater “Guru” than him. So let us pay our respects to the great “Guru” Bhishamchaarya, and let us hear from him the various aspects of “Dharma”! Oh Yudishtra! From my end, if my ardent “Bhakta” is calling out to me, I cannot sit simply like this without attending to him / her. Bhishmachaarya is my ardent “Bhakta”, just like how all of you are! Hence, it is inevitable that I’ll have to give him the time that he deserves. Moreover, after Bhishmachaarya’s demise, there would be nobody in this world to explain to you the various aspects of “Dharma”. Hence, let us not delay any further! Let us get into the chariot and go towards Bhishmachaarya to see him!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Yudishtra agrees! He also knows that there cannot be a better person other than Bhishmachaarya to explain about “Dharma” and about Bhagawan Krishna! Hence, all of them start their journey once again towards the Kurukshetra battlefield where Bhishmachaarya is lying down. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall commence an important discussion that ensues between Yudishtra and Bhishmachaarya, in the divine presence of Bhagawan Krishna! Stay tuned for an important and an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 