Duties!

 

Lord Krsna said to Yudhisthira on his seeking advice on what is the best course of action: I will personally go to Hastināpur & try for a peaceful settlement that does not sacrifice your interests. By doing so, I’ll perform a highly meritorious act & at the same time I may be able to save the Kurus from annihilation

 

Yudhisthira said: O Krsna! I do not like this idea, for I know that Duryodhana will never listen to You, or even treat You respectfully. If the Kauravas create some mischief, giving You pain, I would feel myself responsible so that life would be unbearable

 

Sri Krsna said: Dear Yudhisthira, you can rest assure that all the kings on earth combined cannot stand before Me in battle. I know that Duryodhana will never listen to my proposal for peace. Still, by making the effort I will avoid giving anyone the chance of calling Me a war monger in the future

 

Yudhisthira said: O Lord! If it is your desire to go to Hastināpur, You will surely do so. My only request is that You try your best to bring about a peaceful settlement

 

Sri Krsna said: To beg like a Brahmacāri & to exhibit cowardice are not proper for a Kshatriya. It is the duty of a king to gain victory on battlefield or else die while fighting. Instead of hoping to back out of your dilemma, you should display your prowess & vanquish your enemies, In My opinion, there is absolutely no chance for peace, because Duryodhana is confident of his position, being aided by Bhisma, Drona & Karna.  By requesting him to exhibit compassion, virtue or mildness, Duryodhana cannot be persuaded to return your kingdom

 

The fact is that Duryodhana deserves to die for the deceitful behavior & harsh speech he exhibited during the dice game. A noble person considers it worse than death to be condemned by others. On the other hand, Duryodhana felt no shame, in spite of being censored by the entire assembly of Kurus

 

I’ll go to Hastināpur & in front of assembled kings expound your virtues & decry Duryodhana’s wickedness. In this way, anyone who might still be undecided will clearly understand the truth. I’ll advocate the cause of peace, but only on terms that will not sacrifice your interests. By endeavoring this way, I will leave no room for people to accuse you of having acted sinfully because of greed to rule the earth

 

War with Kauravas is inevitable. You must be prepared to kill evil-minded Duryodhana because, just like an envious serpent, he deserves to die

 

Krsna says in Gita

sva-dharmam api cāvekṣya na vikampitum arhasi
dharmyād dhi yuddhāc chreyo ’nyat kṣatriyasya na vidyate

Considering your specific duty as a kṣatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation

 

As long as one is not liberated, one has to do perform the duties of his particular body in accordance with religious principles. Such duties are unavoidable. Discharging one’s specific duty in any field of action in accordance with the orders of higher authorities serves to elevate one to a higher status of life

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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