18th Day - Lord Krishna resents Yudhishthir

By Sri Chiraan 2009/10/08

A malefic in the third and kendras makes one put heavy efforts to accomplish the task

Similarly many malefic in tenth shows one has to make Mahaprayatna 

After the death of Karna, Shalya, and Shakuni, Duryodhan was very unhappy. Kritavarma, Ashvaththama and Kripacharya were repeatedly troubled by Bheem and Arjun finally they fled to nearby Forests .

Dhritarashtra sent Sanjay to know the welfare of Duryodhan, Satyaki captures Sanjay. Vedvyasa urges to set free Sanjay. Duryodhan angered runs towards the battlefield all alone. He defeats Sahadev and Nakul. With his arrows he hits Arjun hard and Arjun falls unconscious. Then Bheemsen runs after him and destroys his chariot.

Duryodhan mounts a elephant and attacks Satyaki  Satyaki fall unconscious. Duryodhan taking a pras weapon attacks Yudisthir. Nakul and sahadev, all hit sit on the chariot motionless. Bheemsen kills the elephant and cuts out Pras. Then Duryodhan mounts a horse as the horse is killed by BHEEMSEN. Duryodhan flees the battlefield and enters Dwaipayan sarovar with his gada.

There in the Dwaipayan pond, he undertakes jalsthambhan. Duryodhan undertakes the japa of mantra given to him by Durvasa muni. This japa if continued for 7 days would bring back from death entire army of the kauravas and they would never die again in battlefield.

Out of 11 akshouhini sena 6 were killed by BHEEM and 5 by Arjun, whatever was left was killed  by Dhristadhyumna, Gatotkach and Abhimany  Satyaki. Other pandavas.  Seven akshouhini of Pandavas, three was killed by Ashwaththama, rest by Bheeshma Drona Karna kritavarma each less than the former.

Pandavas happy about victory went to Dwaipayan sarovar, there Ashwaththama seeing them along with Krishna ran away.

Krishna ordered Yudhisthir to use harsh language against Duryodhan.

Yudhisthir said come out for a fight, Duryodhan replied, "You enjoy the Kingdom", Yudhisthir said "Duryodhan you had said not even a size of needle head would be given to Pandavas, now after taking bali of Bheeshma Drona, talking this does not make sense, we cannot enjoy the kingdom without killing you, I don't think so you are a Kuru born for you are denying war".

Aggravated Duryodhan rose from the water and came to the shore. He said "Yudhisthir, you all are with kavach and armoury and weapons, I have none. Still I will fight with you all single handedly”

Yudhisthir said "you  will be provided weapons and kavach, and you can choose anyone of us to fight and if you kill anyone of us, rest of us will go to the forest and if you die we will all together rule".

Duryodhan "Arjun and Sahadev and Nakul and yourself are all too meek to fight with me, only Bheem is fit for me. I choose the gada".

Bheemsen takes a gada 1 and half times more heavier than Duryodhan’s gada and fight begins.

Krishna resents Yudhisthir, says your giving choice to Duryodhan to fight was wrong. If Duryodhan had chosen Arjun, or any other four other than Bheem all these efforts up till now would have gone waste.

Because the other four are no match for him. Bheem would kill him 'somehow'.

Duryodhan  if he holds mace [gada] none in the three worlds not even Indra and all deities put together can defeat him . This is because he is very 'nipuna'.

Krishna shows utter displeasure towards Yudhisthir.

Many doubts arise with these words of Krishna towards Duryodhan. Also to be noted is Duryodhan praises Bheema before fight begins as someone worth fighting. Better than Arjun.

This incident also Shows Krishna rating Bheema higher than Arjun .

Now the doubts ?

Duryodhan is nipun , does that mean Bheem is not nipun or not as nipun as Duryodhan ?

Secondly Krishna says Bheem would kill Duryodhan ‘somehow’? Somehow means , does Bheem have to struggle to kill him. Or is Bheem not as strong as Duryodhan etc etc.

The answer to this should be contemplated against the background that, Bheem is the strongest has been declared by Krishna and Duryodhan himself in virat prasang also. Krishna while Jarasandha episode declares him to be strongest. Also Krishna says Bheem you have many times  more qualities than what you actually think you have.

Vedayasa says there is none equal to Bheemsen in both the armies in terms of strength and knowledge as well.

So it cannot be dismissed that these words of Krishna meant anything less wrtr BHEEM.

The word 'nipuna' in terms of Duryodhan is to indicate that, Duryodhan was mahaprayatna shali. Both Duryodhan and Bheem had learnt from Balaram. So only Duryodhan could have been 'nipun' owing to this training  from Balaram.

'Nipuna' was due to extreme efforts he was putting in practising gada yudha to kill Bheemsen. This mahaprayatna was a plus factor in his favour [excessive efforts and practise cannot be discounted it is a potent factor].

Also Duryodhan had a mantrashakti. These factors weighed heavily against Arjun and other four to counter Duryodhan.

Bheemsen was he not mahaprayatnashali. Was Bheem not putting maximum efforts in his endeavour. No because killing Duryodhan was not a very difficult task for Bheemsen. Putting extra extreme efforts on fairly simple tasks is not the quality of Uttam Purush, great personalities.

Bheemsen would kill somehow does not mean with little possibility.

What is meant by it, Bheem had vowed to break the thighs of Duryodhan. Hitting below the navel is adharm in gadyudh.

Now carrying out the Pratignya is more important dharma failure of which will give more adharma vartan [failure to stick to dharma] if Duryodhan is killed by hitting above the waist, then pratignya will be broken. If he kills by hitting the thigh, then pratignya is upheld but gadayudh niyam will be broken. So without getting into situation of breaking some rule, Duryodhan cannot be killed, so the word somehow is used by the Lord Krishna.

Krishnarpanamastu

6th House - Shirachcheda Karachcheda Yoga

 By Sri Chiraan 2009/01/03

• Sixth  lord with Venus and Sun or Saturn with Rahu in krur shashtiamsa, the native will die on account shirachcheda [cutting off of head]
• Ninth Saturn and third Jupiter or eighth Saturn and twelfth Jupiter, makes one lose his hands [karachcheda yoga]
• Moon in seventh or eighth along with Mars as sixth lord is weak, one will get his hands cut off.
• Saturn, Rahu and Mercury in tenth makes one go without hands. 

Bhurishravas was an excellent warrior who could not be defeated as long as he had a sword in his hands. The speed at which Bhurishravas [Yuupketu] used his swords rendered other person numb, his sword could not be located while fighting. He had a natural rivalry and family feud with Yadavas [on account of Marriage of Devaki [Krishna’s mother] to Vasudev]. Satyaki was a Yadava who fought from Pandavas as he was very dear to Krishna. Satyaki was Arjuna’s Disciple. In the war when Arjuna’s Gandiv sound was not heard by Yudhisthira, he asked Yuyudhan [Satyaki] to go and get the information about Dhananjay. Satyaki after appointing Dhrushtadhyumna to look after Yudhisthir, went furiously fighting to look for Arjun in the battlefield.  Killed Jalasandha on the way, and was totally tired when he caught sight of Arjun, happy to see him, he wanted to go back and inform Yudhisthira, when he was intercepted by Bhurishravas [son of Somadatta], old  rivalry, family feud and passion of hatred ignited and both attacked each other fiercely, after prolonged fight lost chariot and sarathis and bows, then holding sword in the hand, they collided like wild tigers and then a very long battle ensued between them, suddenly Satyaki exhausted due to fatigue and prolonged fight fell unconscious. Bhurishravas caught his hair and dragged him by the ground into the open. He was cheered by the Kauravas [as Satyaki was most dear to Krishna being grandson of his uncle]. Bhurishravas put a foot onto the chest of unconscious SATYAKI and raised his right hand with a sword to cut off the head of Satyaki .

The all knowing Krishna urged to Arjuna to save Satyaki. Arjuna while fighting samshaptak rakshas, cried how can he help him while Bhurishravas has not challenged him to war. Neither is he facing him to challenge him. Though Satyaki is very dear and has come to this war to lay down his life for him and his family, he feels utterly helpless to stop Bhurishravas on account of Dharma.

Krishna says it is dharma to save a friend in distress, trouble, look he is unconscious and unarmed and Bhurishravas is killing him, waste no time stop Bhurishravas for Satyaki had sacrificed everything for the sake of Pandavas, it is Arjuna’s duty .

Arjuna used bhallayudha to cut off the raised arm of Bhurishravas. [Karachcheda]

Surprised Bhurishravas and other kauravas looked for who had cut off, looking at Arjuna yelled, "so you developed the qualities of deception by the company you are in. Who has taught you this unworthy fighting skill, Indra or Drona, is it right to use weapons on me when I am not aware, or when I am not fighting with you."

Arjuna said "who would not yearn for such a company that does not come by years of tapasya even in multiple births, you were killing a man unconscious and unarmed, where come your good senses of warfare had gone then, where was your skills in fighting and challenging a tired Satyaki. I have done my dharma in saving my friend in trouble."

Bhurishravas realising his mistake, took shastra sanyas and laying his shara on the ground and went into Yogic samadhi.

Satyaki just resuming from slumber without any loss of moment in a fit of anger, even before Sri Krishna and other pandavas could stop him, he slit of the head of Bhurishravas [Shirachcheda].

Bhurishravas attained heaven for having died in battlefield. SATYAKI was the only warrior along with Kritavarma who survived Mahabharath war by the grace of Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishnarpanamastu

6th House - Ripu Runa Roga [Debt Diseases and Enemies]

 By Sri Chiraan 2009/01/02

• A benefic in the sixth house turns ones enemies into friends. 
• A malefic there will be conflict with the enemies.
• sixth is upachaya sthana thus the saying that, ripu roga and runa shesha should not be entertained, as being upachaya sthana, it grows/multiplies again.

What was the enmity between Pandavas and Kauravas?

• Dhruthrashtra was a blind man, though elder he could not be made a King.
• Pandu wins over entire Bharat varsha and then retires to forest.
• Dhritarashtra is made caretaker King.
• Now son born to Dhritarashtra cannot be made King.
• Kunti’s son were born in forest and Pandu had died in the forest.
• Yudhisthira had to be given back his kingdom.
• Dhuryodhana refuses to give him his kingdom .
• This can be called as greed of power, evil Duryodhana out of greed for power nurtured enmity with Pandavas.

So entire Mahabharath is a struggle for power/throne between two brothers! NO.

This happens in any story, what qualifies this story into according it a status of epic. Why it was necessary for God Sri Krishna to come down to earth to side with Pandavas, and get Duryodhana killed? ONLY to give him his Kingdom.

God could have forgiven Duryodhan for such folly or infatuation of power [every person ordinary can have such fascination] and hermits as Yudhisthira was,  he could have elevated him to heaven for his sacrifice? Why Mahabharath?

Upon that even Pandavas had agreed to shed violence [old as they were 70 years at the time of war, what kingdom could have been enjoyed at that age, it was time for retirement] Arjuna had refused to wage war.

Sri Krishna gave Bhagavadgeetha and then again resumed war.

Why was Sri Krishna so much interested in getting Duryodhana killed?

If the enmity between Pandavas and Kauravas were just for the sake of Kingdom then Mahabharat cannot be termed as epic or pancham veda. There is a whole gamut of philosophy that is hidden in the answers to  the above question.

If the philosophy part is omitted then the story seems to be a case of two brothers warring on account of kingdom pleasure and woman named Draupadi. This degrades entire civilization to the level of a culture less tribe where men fight for the sake of cattle and woman. Most of the people who fail to grasp the philosophy or perhaps to augment atheism do often term this epic as a struggle between two tribes. That can be termed as intellectual bankruptcy.

First let us establish that it was not an era where culture was evolving or worst there was no culture and rule were akin to a tribe where might is right. [Discovery of India assumes these concepts, unfortunately our text books also derive a lot from these. Some historians call it a stone era bronze era etc etc…].

• A culture of a era is exhibited by the qualities of the Individuals present in that era.
• Rules existing in the society at that time.
• Rule of Law, beautification of cities, architectural marvels.
• strength and formation of the army .modes of communication, weaponry .
• Religion rituals and general well being of the people and wealth ,trade and commerce.

1. Culture And Individuals

1. Bheeshma sacrificed his stake for kingdom for the sake of his Father’s happiness ,to the extent he swore to remain a celibate all through his life.
2. He was bestowed death at will [science], one can bestow such boons only when himself is capable of such feat , ie even Shantanu had death at will power.
3. When individual had excellent virtues and a great art of defying death, can that be called cultureless or nomadic.
4. We are still struggling today to find medicines for simple diseases [death at will is milkyway away].
5. So that culture was higher than ours and highest at any point in history.

Rules and society,

1. Many learnt vidya in forests under rishis. People were safer and saner even in forest [today only wild animals are found in forests].
2. Eklavya approaches Drona, shows even a tribesman like eklavya had access to highest priest of ruling class.
3. Karna is made King by duryodhana, even a commoner could aspire to become king through his qualities.
4. Vidura is minister of Dhritarashtra, though born to a slave, he is accorded ministership.

Rule of Law

1. Game of dice was opposed tooth and nail by many in the presence of King.
2. Draupadi asks questions on law of the land to the King.
3. Not only woman were educated but their voices were heard in the court of Law.
4. Architecture of each palace outwits today's efforts.
5. Mayasabha is a unrivalled masterpiece.

Army, communication and weaponry

1. Army was collected from far east, China, Eurasia etc shows global control.
2. Kaal yavan [means from Greek] was summoned to fight Krishna.
3. Arjuna marrying ladies from Tripura Manipur shows communication of a high quality.
4. Arjuna upsets all the army except Bheeshma shows pinpointed weaponry of high control and command.
5. Arjuna brings out sweet water from the ground to quench Bheeshma’s thirst by his arrows[weaponry].
6. Every hour a 800 crores  of arrows were shot.
7. 808 loads of carriages of weapons arrived every hour to each chariot in the warfield.
8. They had a bulbs fitted to elephants which illuminated by the lunar power[ we have solar cells] in the night.

Religion, rituals, wealth

1. Yudhisthira performed rajsuya and Ashwamedha yagnya [religion].
2. Sri Krishna was prayed everywhere.
3. 20kgs of gold was donated everyday.
4. Syamantak mani was a precious stone mentioned.
5. Crores of cows were donated.
6. People ate in silver vessels.
7. Every house had its own storage of butter, a pot full of butter [unimaginable these days].

With all these facts recorded in a history which has survived 5000 years cannot brushed aside as a cultureless and nomadic society. Mahabharth era was a cultural Peak in India.

Now in such a peak era why did this happen? What can be made out of enmity between the two sides.

The answers:

Mahabharath is about those who hate God and those who are devoted to God.

Mahabharath is about atheism versus theism, and the role God plays between them.

Mahabharath is about Truth and Sin and Liberation.

Mahabharath is about eternal enmity between Good [Devatas] and Evil [Rakshasas].

Mahabharath is the zoom on the thin line that exists between DHARMA AND DHARMASOOKSHMA.

Duryodhana hated Sri Krishna, because Pandavas were his devotees he hated them. Kingdom was only an excuse for him to advance his hate. He expressed his hate towards Pandavas to challenge God, to provoke him, his intentions were to prove himself greater than Sri Krishna, he did not consider Sri Krishna as God.

God had given him all the resources. He made him to keep his kingdom for almost all his life. He ruled for 70 years. God allowed him to keep his kingdom and give Pandavas only barren lands, which they turned into beautiful Indraprastha .

They won the entire world and amassed all the pleasure, which God allowed Duryodhan to enjoy by deceit. [He could have never got them through war but through dice].

In the earlier era when Rakshasas and Devatas fought, every time Vishnu came to the help of Devatas and fought along to defeat the Rakshasas. Or He came down as Rama, Parashurama etc and killed them all.

So Rakshasas thought "if only Vishnu did not participate, we would finish off all the Devatas".

To disprove them this time Sri Krishna chose not to fight.

He empowered Duryodhana with

1. Bheeshma [death at will] means cannot die.
2. Ashwaththama [immortal] cannot die.
3. Kripacharya [immortal] cannot die.
4. Dronacharya [invincible] cannot be defeated.
5. Karna [kavach kundal] cannot die.
6. Bhargavdatta [possess Vaishnav astra that cannot be stopped] means always victory.
7. Kritavarma [On a given day of his choice he cannot be defeated, boon by SriKrishna].
8. Bhurishravas [as long as he holds his sword, none can defeat him].
9. Alamaban Alambusa [can assume any shape and size and be invisible during fight].
10. Jayadrath [can defeat anybody as per his wish on a given day].
11. Balhika [can choose his death blowing opponent].
12. Shakuni [can create illusions and possessed deadly poisons that could burn whole earth].
13. Shalya [could not be defeated in a arm to arm combat].
14. 10 lakh sons of Sri Krishna and Yadava army.
15. Almost double the army [11 akhouhini] from entire world.
16. 99 brothers.
17. Himself Suyodhana [having entire body immortal except thighs].
18. ********No fight Promise from Sri Krishna***************

Even with all these factors aiding him [4 deathless warriors and rest invincible],

Pandavas having lesser number of army, all mortals.

Just because they had grace of SRI KRISHNA and Kauravas did not have grace of GOD, they still got wiped off .

Evil however powerful it may be, truthful however weak it may be can overcome evil only by the grace of GOD.

No one can triumph without grace of GOD even if he has all the boons of the world and immortality.

Faith in God alone can give us triumph in the life called Mahabharath.

Sri Krishnarpanamastu

Efforts: Bheema and Yudhisthira - A dialogue

By Sri Chiraan 2008/12/21

Bheema was the greatest Pandava. He was the main hero of Mahabharath. Bheema was extremely intelligent, knowledge and foremost in Dharma and most dearest to Krishna [more than Arjuna]. Yudhisthira was eldest among Pandavas. He had a fetish for worldly Dharma only.

Yudhisthira while in exile [Vanavasa] in forest, had almost become a recluse and withdrawn personality. He had more or less given up the desire to get back his Kingdom, and planned to spend rest of his life in the forest. Bheema knew this was against Kshatriya Dharma. He sent Draupadi to inspire Yudhisthira to gear up for a war against Kauravas, in case they refuse to return their Kingdom [which was eventual given the nature of Kauravas].

Draupadi said "Oh King, it is not a Dharma to let the criminals go free, for they should be punished and this is the duty of a King."

Dharmaraj said "Man suffers by the will of the GOD, Kauravas have not insulted on their own without the will of the LORD, lest it is not right to keep a revengeful attitude towards them. Forgiveness is the best quality needed, moreover a war with Kauravas means killing Bheeshma and guru Drona, Kripa etc which is completely adharma and full of Sin. Please do not inspire me towards such heinous act, there is nothing wrong living rest of the life as hermits here. Be in your limits as wife and woman."

Seeing Yudhisthira adamant and melancholic, Bheema the wisest added "Oh king, listen to my words carefully

• It is right both good and the bad are under the control of the GOD
• But it is also true that a soul has to make efforts  
• It is the efforts according to which a fruits are given by the Lord
• Know this efforts to be also under the control of this LORD
• One must make efforts [prayatna] to please God
• Efforts should be in accordance with the law laid down by the God
• Kshatriya should punish those who are against the laid down Law
• Those who steal others property, wife, kingdom, and wealth
• Those who kill people for the sake of wealth
• Those who trouble other innocents without any purpose
• All these are known as atatayis
• There is no sin in killing these atatayis
• Even if one surrenders, if he has committed those heinous crimes, he must still be killed
• However this time he must be killed through one’s servants and not by self [king]
• Kauravas are atatayis, there is no sin in killing them through war
• Whatever is lost by giving to a woman [while being taken away by her beauty], in a gambling, and whatever given out of fear can always be taken back. There is no sin in it.
• So make efforts towards war, without your permission we cannot wage war
• One gets fruits due to action
• Action is dependent on

• Yogyata [Capacity]
• Anadi Poorva Karma [past merits, horoscope]
• Prayatna [efforts]

Yogyata is determined by the will power [Hatha]

Poorva janma karma is in accordance with the Yogyata

Prayatna follows the Poorva karma

All the three are under the control of God

But we must always do karma with prayatna

Prayatna should be full and sincere, as per the shastra

When there is complete proof of a action in accordance with all the three pramanas

Efforts should be made towards the object as laid in shastra

When one of the pramanas conflicts the stronger pramana should be adhered to, but efforts should still be made irrespective of consequences. It is only the efforts that qualifies the action to a fruit [phala."

Listening to this discourse Yudhisthira finally agrees to wage a war, and thanks his brother to have got him into the right path.

Likewise Bheema is the Vayu present as breath in all of us, inspiring us to do the right karma, efforts is the only way with which we can show gratitude to this Jeevottama [the greatest among the souls].

Krishnarpana 

Could Pandavas have avoided the dyut krida and Vanvaas?

By Sri Chiraan 2008/10/03

shri gurubhyo namaha

Yudhistira was an expert in gambling. He could command dices to give out his favourable number. So was Shakuni adept with mystical dice in his hands. Pandavas, the last among whom Sahadeva was an excellent astrologer. He would always predict there would be great war and kauravas would be defeated. He knew they(Pandavas) would be defeated in the gamble. (Such was greatness of Sahadeva that even duryodhana had his muhurta for Mahabharata war set by Sahadeva though a rival).

What made Yudhistira lose his magic touch. why did his knowledge of dice betray him on that fateful day? mind you dice was played twice in his life one succeeding other. The first one brought insult to his wife. Second one robbed him off his kingdom of entire universe earned in Rajsuya yagna. Man can make mistake once, but here is the wisest of all men succumbing to vice twice.

Was it really a vice? could Yudhistira put so much on stake? Did Sahadeva not forewarn him as astrologer. In case when we meet with misfortune our Astrologers suggest many remedies. mostly consisting of prayers. So it is meant to appease deities and get away with the miseries written in destiny. But in our example Pandavas had very God Krishna by their side always ready to lend a helping hand whether asked or unasked for. (such was his love for Pandavas). Then why did he not give success in the Gambling to Yudhistira. Worst still his very art of dice control slipped away in favour of Shakuni. Why in this case mighty men of the earth faced defeat/deceit?

Is astrology really meant for changing our destinies?

We shall try to answer all these queries in our next posts.

srikrishnarpana