The agonising years of torment, hope and disillusion were over; the
moment of decision had come, though it was sought now, by the sharp edge of the
sword and not the soft words of Lord Krishna. The armies gathered by the
Kauravas from their kingdom and from their allies were standing face to face
with the forces of their Paandava cousins. Cavalry, chariotry, elephantry and
infantry, eager to start the destruction of the enemy, the chief actors all
dressed and equipped for the fray! Conches were blown; trumpets rent the sky
with their blare. The air was tense with hope, fear, anxiety and anger. Blood
in million bodies became redder and warmer, hearts pounded quicker; arms
grasped weapons in deadly grip.
Dharmaraaja the eldest of the Paandava brothers, suddenly, removed his
footwear; he laid aside his armour; he slid from his chariot; he walked towards
the opposing cohorts, towards Bhishma, the generalissimo of the enemy forces.
Dhuryodhana, the eldest of the
Kaurava brothers, the cousin most responsible for the war, the unyielding
opponent of the Paandavas, saw Dharmaraaja cross over to the aged Bhishma. He
was overjoyed; he guessed that Dharmaraaja had decided surrender, for, he was
by nature against bloodshed and battles.
The four brothers of Dharmaraaja were astounded. Bhima, the redoubtable
hero of a hundred contests with the Kauravas, the person most eager for the
battle to begin, felt foiled of victory. He recalled the many occasions when
Dharmaraaja had stood in the way of revengeful action against the Kauravas. He
feared that he would apologise and withdraw like a craven from the bloody
gamble of war. Arjuna, the formidable bowman, witnessed his brother's defection
with horror and anger. Nakula and Sahadheva, the twins, were struck dumb at
their own helplessness.
Lord Krishna studied the situation from the seat of the charioteer on the
chariot of Arjuna, which was in the front line of the Paandava army. He signed
to the four of them to follow their eldest brother and do likewise. He said,
"All these years you have revered him, and
trod on his footsteps. Do so now. Do not hesitate; do not doubt."
Dharmaraaja was the very embodiment of Dharma (right action); he knew the right
and he practised it whatever the consequences. He knew that Dharma will guard
those who follow Dharma. He never did a hypocritical or a non-Vedhic act; he
never took a wrong step. He went straight to Bhishma and fell at his feet.
Standing before him with folded hands and bowed head, he prayed: "Grandfather!
We had no chance to experience the love of the father, he passed away too soon.
You brought us up from infancy with love and care, and made us what
we are today. We have no right to fight against you; but, fate has
conspired to bring us now into battle with you. Please have mercy on us; permit
us to raise our arms against you."
Bhishma was naturally charmed and overjoyed at the humility and
righteousness of Dharmaraaja; his eyes were filled with tears at the strange
turn that destiny had taken; he blessed him and said, "Dharmaraaja! You have
stuck to Dharma, in spite of the temptations this situation has placed before
you. What a noble example you have set before the world! This Dharma that you
follow will itself give you victory."
Next, Dharmaraaja and the brothers moved towards general Dhrona, the
Brahmin preceptor, who had taught archery to both the Kauravas and their
cousins, the Paandavas. Dhaarmaraaja fell at his feet too and prayed, "Highly
revered preceptor! We five are your pupils; how can we rightfully take up arms
against our preceptor? The times have indeed gone awry. Pardon us, for this
wrong.. Permit us to engage with you in battle." Dhrona, the Aacharya, was
visibly moved by this appeal. "Ah! How great and good, this Dharmaraaja is!
Even at this moment when the hounds of war are to be let loose to spread death
and
fury, he is sticking to the dictates of Dharma!" Dhrona was thrilled at
the thought. He clasped Dharmaraaja in his arms and said, "Son! You are dearer
to me than Aswathaama, for, I am drawn to him only by duty, whereas I am drawn
to you by love. You are all my sons, for, I love you as such. Your right will
certainly earn victory over our might."
It is this adherence to Dharma that ensured their victory. Or else, was
there any one on earth at that time who could force the redoubtable Bhishma to
lay down his arms? Could any one excel Dhrona in archery? The Kauravas, whom
Bhishma and Dhrona sought to support were defeated because they trod the path
of Adharma (vice), while the Paandavas never deviated from the path of Dharma.
Dharma gave them the skill, strength, courage and tenacity to defeat these
great masters of military strategy.
The Kauravas went counter to their parents and their God. Their mother,
Gaandhaari, counselled her children in a thousand ways not to continue their
vendetta against their cousins, the Paandavas. But, they did not heed her.
Their father Dhritharaashtra pleaded with them to desist from the path of hate;
but, to no avail. They turned a deaf ear to the advice offered by their
preceptor, Dhrona, to make peace with the Paandava cousins and give them their
legitimate share of the realm. When the Lord, Sri Krishna Himself, went to them
as a messenger of peace, as an ambassador with the mission of peace, they
refused to listen to His divine words; they attempted even to overpower
Him and put Him into bonds!
If you follow the same line of wilful blindness, you will have to meet
the same fate - total destruction. The five Paandava brothers are, you should
believe, worthy of your reverence and have to be regarded as your 'five vital
airs,' 'five sheaths,' 'five sense- organs.' Have them as ideals to be
followed; you can then win the grace of God.. The memory of their travail and
triumph will act as a Manthra to purify and strengthen you, and elevate you to
the divine status which is your heritage.
- From Swami's Divine Discourse in Brindavan, June 1974
