Krishna and Uddhav

Why did Krishna not save the Pandavas when they played dice with Duryadhana & Shakuni?Wonderful explanation by Krishna himself:
From his childhood, Uddhava had been with Krishna, charioting him and serving him in many ways. He never asked for any wish or boon from Sri Krishna. When Krishna was at the verge of completing His Avatar, he called Uddhava and said,‘Dear Uddhava, in this avatar of mine, many people have asked and received boons from me; but you never asked me anything. Why don’t you ask something now? I will give you. Let me complete this avatar with the satisfaction of doing something good for you also’.

Even though Uddhava did not ask anything for himself, he had been observing Krishna from his childhood. He had always wondered about the apparent disconnect between Krishna’s teachings and actions, and wanted to understand the reasons for the same. He asked Krishna, ‘Lord, you taught us to live in one way, but you lived in a different way. In the drama of Mahabharat, in the role you played, in your actions, I did not understand many things. I am curious to understand the reasons for your actions. Would you fulfil my desire to know?’

Krishna said, ‘Uddhava, what I told Arjuna during the war of Kurukshetra was Bhagavad Gita. Today, my responses to you would be known as ‘Uddhava Gita’. That is why I gave this opportunity to you. Please ask without hesitation.’

Uddhava starts asking – ‘Krishna, first tell me who is a real friend?’

Krishna says, ‘The real friend is one who comes to the help of his friend in need even without being called’.

Uddhava: ‘Krishna, you were a dear friend of the Pandavas. They trusted you fully as Apadhbhandava (protector from all difficulties). Krishna, you not only know what is happening, but you know what is going to happen. You are a great gyani. Just now you gave the definition of a true, close friend. Then why did you not act as per that definition. Why did you not stop Dharmaraj (Yudhishtra)
from playing the gambling game? Ok, you did not do it; why did you not turn the luck in favour of Dharmaraj, by which you would have ensured that dharma wins. You did not do that also. You could have at least saved Dharmaraj by stopping the game after he lost his wealth, country and himself. You could have released him from the punishment for gambling. Or, you could have entered the hall when he started betting his brothers. You did not do that either. At least when Duryodhana tempted Dharmaraj  by offering to return everything lost if he betted Draupadi (who always brought good fortune to Pandavas), you could have intervened and with your divine power you could have made the dices roll in a way that is favorable to Dharmaraj. Instead, you intervened only when Draupadi almost lost her modesty and now you claim that you gave clothes and saved Draupadi’s modesty; how can you even claim this – after her being dragged into the hall by a man and disrobed in front of so many people, what modesty is left for a woman? What have you saved? Only when you help a person at the time of crisis, can you be called ‘Apadhbandhava’.  If you did not help in the time of crisis, what is the use? Is it Dharma?’  As Uddhava posed these questions, tears started rolling from his eyes.

These are not the questions of Uddhava alone. All of us who have read Mahabharata have these questions. On behalf of us, Uddhava had already asked Krishna.

Bhagavan Krishna laughed. ‘Dear Uddhava, the law of this world is: ‘only the one who has Viveka (intelligence through discrimination), wins’. While Duryodhana had viveka, Dharmaraj lacked it. That is why Dharmaraj lost’.

Uddhava was lost and confused. Krishna continues ‘While Duryodhana had lots of money and wealth to gamble, he did not know how to play the game of dice. That is why he used his Uncle Shakuni to play the game while he betted. That is viveka. Dharmaraj also could have thought similarly and offered that I, his cousin, would play on his behalf. If Shakuni and I had played the game of dice, who do you think would have won? Can he roll the numbers I am calling or would I roll the numbers he is asking. Forget this. I can forgive the fact that he forgot to include me in the game. But, without viveka, he did another blunder. He prayed that I should not come to the hall as he did not want me to know that through ill-fate he was compelled to play this game. He tied me with his prayers and did not allow me to get into the hall; I was just outside the hall waiting for someone to call me through their prayers. Even when Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were lost, they were only cursing Duryodhana and brooding over their fate; they forgot to call me. Even Draupadi did not call me when Dusshasan held her hair and dragged her to fulfil his brother’s order. She was also arguing in the hall, based on her own abilities. She never called me. Finally good sense prevailed; when Dusshasan started disrobing her, she gave up depending on her own strength, and started shouting ‘Hari, Hari, Abhayam Krishna, Abhayam’ and shouted for me. Only then I got an opportunity to save her modesty. I reached as soon as I was called. I saved her modesty. What is my mistake in this situation?

‘Wonderful explanation, Kanna, I am impressed. However, I am not deceived. Can I ask you another question’, says Uddhava. Krishna gives him the permission to proceed.

'Does it mean that you will come only when you are called! Will you not come on your own to help people in crisis, to establish justice?’, asks Uddhava.

Krishna smiles. ‘Uddhava, in this life everyone’s life proceeds based on their own karma. I don’t run it; I don’t interfere in it. I am only a ‘witness’. I stand close to you and keep observing whatever is happening. This is God’s Dharma’.

‘Wow, very good Krishna. In that case, you will stand close to us, observe all our evil acts; as we keep committing more and more sins, you will keep watching us. You want us to commit more blunders, accumulate sins and suffer’, says Uddhava.

Krishna says.’Uddhava, please realise the deeper meaning of your statements. When you understand & realise that I am standing as witness next to you, how could you do anything wrong or bad. You definitely cannot do anything bad. You forget this and think that you can do things without my knowledge.  That is when you get into trouble. Dharmaraj’s ignorance was that he thought he can play the game of gambling without my knowledge. If Dharmaraj had realized that I am always present with everyone in the form of ‘Sakshi’ (witness), then wouldn’t the game have finished differently?’

Uddhava was spellbound and got overwhelmed by Bhakti. He said, ‘What a deep philosophy. What a great truth! Even praying and doing pooja to God and calling Him for help are nothing but our feeling / belief. When we start believing that nothing moves without Him, how can we not feel his presence as Witness? How can we forget this and act? Throughout Bhagavad Gita, this is the philosophy Krishna imparted to Arjuna. He was the charioteer as well as guide for Arjuna, but he did not fight on his own.’- Realize that Ultimate Sakshi/ Witnesser within & without you! And Merge in that God-Consciousness! Discover Thy Higher Self- The Pure Loveful & Blissful Supreme Consciousness! - Tat Tvam Asi!



Edited and compiled by
Mrs. Shruti Chaabra

कृपा की शक्ति

महाभारत युद्ध चल रहा था। अर्जुन के सारथी श्रीकृष्ण थे। जैसे ही अर्जुन का बाण छूटता, कर्ण का रथ कोसों दूर चला जाता। जब कर्ण का बाण छूटता तो अर्जुन कारथ सात कदम पीछे चला जाता। श्रीकृष्ण ने अर्जुन के शौर्य की प्रशंसा के स्थानपर कर्ण के लिए हर बार कहा कि कितना वीर है यह कर्ण? जो उस रथ को सात कदम पीछे धकेल देता है। अर्जुन बड़े परेशान हुए। असमंजस की स्थिति में पूछ बैठे कि हे वासुदेव! यह पक्षपात क्यों? मेरे पराक्रम की आप प्रशंसा करते नहीं एवं मात्र सात कदम पीछे धकेल देने वाले कर्ण की प्रंशसा बार बार  करते है।श्रीकृष्ण बोले अर्जुन तुम जानते नहीं। तुम्हारे रथ में महावीर हनुमान एवं स्वयं मैं वासुदेव कृष्ण विराजमान् हूँ। यदि हम दोनों न होते तो तुम्हारे रथ का कभी अस्तित्व भी नहीं होता। इस रथ को सात कदम भी पीछे हटा देना कर्ण के महाबली होने का परिचायक हैं। अर्जुन को यह सुनकर अपनी क्षुद्रता पर ग्लानि हुई। इस तथ्य को अर्जुन और भी अच्छी तरह तब समझ पाए जब युद्ध समाप्त हुआ। प्रत्येकदिन अर्जुन जब
युद्ध से लौटते श्रीकृष्ण पहले उतरते, फिर सारथी धर्म के अनुसार अर्जुन को उतारते। अंतिम दिन वे बोले-अर्जुन! तुम पहले रथ से उतरो और थोड़ी दूरी तक जाओ। भगवान के उतरते ही घोड़ा सहित रथ भस्म हो गया। अर्जुन आश्चर्यचकित थे। भगवान बोले-पार्थ! तुम्हारा रथ तो कभी का भस्म हो चुका था। भीष्म, कृपाचार्य, द्रोणाचार्य व कर्ण के दिव्यास्त्रों से यह कभी का नष्ट हो चुका था। मेरे संहस्त्र के संकल्प ने इसे युद्ध समापन तक जीवित रखा था अपनी विजय पर गौरान्वित अर्जुन के लिए गीता श्रवण के बाद इससे बढ़कर और क्या उपदेश हो सकता था कि सब कुछ भगवान का किया हुआ है। वह तो निमित्त मात्र था। काश हमारे अंदर का अर्जुन इसे समझ पायें।




Edited and compiled by
Mrs Gunjan Arora
(Senior member- "Yaatra" watsapp group)

100 births old curse

In the epic Mahabharata,Bhism Pitamah was the prominent charater. He was a very desciplined warrior. In the war when he was about to die, he was lying on the bed of arrows. The whole life series was running in his mind at the time of death. He reminded that since many births he hadn't committed a single mistake then why he had suffering at the time of death. He requested Lord Krishna to answer his question. Then Lord Krishna with his divine powers took Bhishma Pitamah 100 births back. In a retrogression journey he found that he was a king 100 births back and committed one sin while he was going to forest for hunting. He found a snake lying in on his way. He tried to save his life and lifted with sword and threw in the bushes. But, the snake lost its life being struck in thorns. Before dying he cursed the king that he too would die like this.

Lord krishna , brought Bhishma Pitamah back to current time frame and further explained that in subsequent births due to his good deeds the curse of snake didnt prevailed but it kept following him since last 100 births and this was his last birth so as per law of karma at the time of death he was lying on the bed of arrows just like the snake lied on thorns 100 births back.

The Right Choice

On the eve of Mahabharata war, there was too much anxiety in the both camps of Kauravasa and Pandavas. No body wanted to loose this battle. On the other hand Lord Krishna, the ruler of Dwarka was playing neutral role. But he had mighty army. Arjuna as a representative from Pandava side and Duryodhan from the Kauravas side went to Lord Krishna for the support for their side. Duryodhan wanted to gain upperhand and reached there before Arjun in the palace of Lord Krishna. At that time Lord Krishna was sleeping. Duryodhan hurriedly occupied a seat near the head of Krishna and Arjun decided to sit near the feet of Krishna. When Krishna woke up he saw Arjun first and then Duryodhan. On knowing the reason of their visit Krishna offered two choices to both camps. First was to choose the his mighty army which was capable of destroying any enemy and the second was his own services only as a mentor. Since Kirshna saw Arjun first so he asked Arjun to chose his option first. This made Duryodhan worried because he wanted the army of krishna dearly. On listening this Arjun fell in the feet of Krishna and asked his services in the battle. This was an absolute shocker for Duryodhan and he was overwhelmed with joy that he got the army of krishna which he thought that this would tilt the result of the battle in his own favour. He was sure shot about Kauravas victory after getting the army of krishna. But at the end of 18 day war the result was opposite. Pandavas prevails over Kauravas. Krishna played perfect role as a friend,mentor,philospher and a manager. He guided pandavas from time to time and kept the moral of his side up and high.

The same rule applies to modern day management policy.

A leader of any organisation or a family should have
1)motivational skills(Arjun who looses all his courage at the crunch time, it was krishna who motivates him)
2)controlling skills(Krishna controlled more than 1.5 million army personnel in the war)
3)Good leadership qualities( though with less resourced than Kauravas, still Pandavas won because of good leadership qualities of Krishna and his skills of utilising his limited resources effectively and efficiently)
4) Excellent strategy( Krishna knews that if Arjun fought with Karan then Arjun would surly lost. So he placed Ghatotkach against Karan. This was the turning point of the war as all the powers of Karan was wasted in killing the Ghatotkach and Arjun's strenght was safeguarded.

The Great Army

It is believe that during the mahabharata war which was fought at kurukshetra region nearly 18 akshoni unit of armymen were gathered and fought a battle of their life time. Now , I am sharing the exact constituent of the unit "akshoni". The word “Akshohini” denotes a group of warrior who were the masters in the various forms of art of war. The total 18 akshohini consisted 1968300 soldiers,1180980 horses.393660 horses ,393660 charioteers. Perhaps this was the reason Arjun felt weak at the onset of the war on seeing the huge army! One thing is sure that more than 3 million people were killed in a short span of 18 days. Following is the sub division of akshohini.

The Pandavas fought with 7 akshohini of armymen whereas Kauravas had 11 akshohini. It was the mismanagement of kauravas that led to their downfall.During the span of 18 days Kauravas were led by Bhishma for 10 days and then by Dronacharya,karna and shalya for the rest of the days. this simply rattles their plans.

Curse to god

Once Sage Mandavya was meditating in aashram. One day , a thief who stole the valuables from the king tried to hide himself in his aashram to escape the punishment. The soldiers of the king reached the aashram in search of thief and found the valuables of king which was hidden by the thief in the aashram.The soldiers suspected sage to be thief. They produced the sage in court. The king sentenced him severe punishment. This hurts the sage too much. After the completion of punishment, he decided to visit Yamlokam, the abode of Dharmraj(Yam), the god of death. Sage questions him about the reason for his sufferings on earth. Dharmraj ordered his accountant,Chitragupt to clarify the doubts of the sage. Chitragupta is the assistant of Dharmraj, who keep the account of all the good and bad deeds of every creature on earth. He explained the one sin of sage Mandavya which he done in his childhood. As per Chitragupta, the sage used to tease the insects by piercing the needles. But this explanation was not satisfactory answer for sage. He argued with Dharmraj that the child mind is innocent and lacks discretion and there should be no punishment for that. Sage was filled with anger for such rules of God as he thought it to be unjustified. The sage Mandavya cursed Dharmraj for making such rules that he too has to be reborn as a human on earth. Also he stated that from now , if a sin committed by a child by mistake then it will not be qualify for punishment. Vice versa if a sin committed towards child then it will be liable for punishment.After that curse Dharmraj born as Vidur.He became minister in the court of Dhritraashtra.

Catch-22

Jayadrath was king of Sindh . He was married to Dushaala, the sister of Duryodhan. In the battle of Mahabharata he killed Abhimanyu,the son of Arjun. After this Arjun promised to took revenge from Jayadrath before the sunset otherwise decided to immolate himself. In the battle field Kauravas prepared special arrangements to kept Jayadrath out of reach of Arjun. It was race against time for Arjun. On the other hand it was a win-win situation for Kauravas because Jayadrath had a boon that a person who would cut his head and let it fall on the ground, his own head would be crushed into thousands pieces. So the death of Arjuna was inevitable at that moment. Despite the best effort Arjun could not able to locate the Jayadrath. Evening was approaching fast. Kauravas were waiting for this moment anxiously. The sky became dark. Now Arjun had to die as per his vow. Now Jayadrath came out from the hidden place. Arjun was about to kill himself. Immediately, Lord Krishna shouted and said to Arjuna to look at the sky as the sun reappears. Previously it was illusion created by lord Krishna himself by providing cloud cover to the sun. Now with his divine power the cloud cover was removed. Immediately Arjun  fire an arrow to Jayadrath in such a unique manner that his chopped head fell in the lap of his father who was meditating at that time. He opened his eyes and stood in a moment. As a result the head of Jayadrath fell on the ground and the head of his father smashed into thousands pieces. In this was Arjuna able to came out of catch-22 situation