Vocal!

 

At Duryodhana’s request to talk more about the warriors on Pāndava side, Bhisma responded by categorizing numerous warriors. While doing so, he said: Virata, Drupada and Dhristaketu (son of Sisupala) are maha-rathas. Bhima, Dhrishtadyumna, Kuntibhoja & Satyajit (son of Drupada) are ati-rathas. Of course, Arjun is the best of all ati-rathas, & his son, Abhimanyu is practically on equal level

 

Bhisma proceeded to describe Arjuna's incomparable prowess, and he also narrated his wonderful conquests & described his unrivaled celestial weapons. When assembled kings heard this & considered how Arjuna had Sri Krsna as his ally, they became disheartened

 

Bhisma concluded: On Kaurava side only Drona & I are capable of contending with Arjuna, but since he is youthful & we are old and worn out in comparison, he must be considered superior. Still, I will mainly fight with Arjuna and Krsna, just to keep them engaged. However, even if Shikhandi attacks me, I will not fight against him, for it is my vow to never kill a woman, or one who was formerly a woman

 

My dear Duryodhana, I can assure you that I’m capable of killing all the assembled kings, although I will never kill the Pandavas.                                        

Duryodhana requested: O Grandsire! Pls tell me why you are unwilling to fight with Shikhandi, even if he attacks you?

 

In reply, Bhisma narrated the following history:

 

After Shantanu's death, his eldest son, Chitrangada, was elected as the King of the Kurus. Later on, when Chitrangada was killed in battle by the Gandharva king, his younger brother, Viicitravirya, was installed upon the throne, in spite  of his being very  young                                                                                                  

 

After some time, Bhisma wanted to obtain wives for his younger stepbrother. When he heard that King of Kasi's three daughters-Amba, Ambalika & Ambika-were holding a Swayamvar, Bhisma went there. After challenging assembled kings, Bhisma forcibly took the three girls onto his chariot & swiftly departed. The outraged kings hurriedly chased Bhisma & soon surrounded him, but Santanu’s son quickly cut down the flags from their chariots & killed their horses & drivers

 

Upon seeing this incomparable display of prowess, the kings desisted from fighting out of fear for their lives & so Bhisma continued towards Hastinapur, unimpeded

 

Braves see no reason to tell their limitations. In fact, their limitations are their strength of character. Here Bhima is vocal about his strengths & his impediments. We at times project our self which is all conquering and do not articulate our restraints

 

If we don’t acknowledge our weakness, how can we calibrate our response in tough situations?

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Never Fall down!   Arjun released an Agni weapon that brightly lit up entire sky. Karna invoked a Varuna weapon that quenched the fire by creating clouds with a Vayavya weapon & then released a favourite weapon of Indra that made thousands of arrows issues forth from his G ā ndiva bow   While being pierced all over, Karna countered Aindra weapon with a Bh ārgava weapon & proceeded to kill many of the foremost Pāncāla warriors. Seeing this, Bhima’s anger blazed up like fire. He chastised his brother by saying: O Arjun, how can you allow these great warriors to be killed within your very sight? Please remember how Karna had insulted Draupadi? Give up your indifference & kill him without delay!   Sri Krsna said: Dear Arjun, you must exert your full prowess now, if need be, you can take help from my Sudarshan Cakra!   After momentarily considering the purpose of his appearance in this world, Arjun replied: Lord, with your permission as ...
Read more
Image
  Make or break!   When Salya agreed to drive Karna’s chariot only on condition that he must be allowed to speak freely whatever he likes, Duryodhana and Karna readily agreed & thus a contract was made. Duryodhana flattered Salya by comparing him to Lord Brahmā, who formerly became Shiva’s charioteer at the time of destroying Tripura   Duryodhana concluded his long talk by saying: Dear Salya, Parasurāma delivered the entire science of weapons to Karna. Therefore, we must intelligently conclude that Karna cannot really be a sutā’s son. He must be the offspring of a demigod born in a Kshatriya family & then abandoned at infancy. Otherwise, why would Parasurāma agreed to instruct him in the complete use of weapons?   Salya replied: I have heard on numerous occasions the story of how Lord Brahmā became Lord Siva’s charioteer. You should not place so much faith in your plans, because even if Arjun is killed, Sri Krsna will exterminate the entire Kaurav...
Read more
Image
Grudge-The heaviest thing to hold! Asvattāma hurriedly yoked horses to his chariot & set out, as Krpa & Krtvarma anxiously followed him. He soon arrived at Pāndava camp & saw a gigantic being with enormous head with flames emanating from his eyes, nose, ear & mouth   Asvattāma fearlessly attacked that awesome being with his celestial weapons but failed in all his attempt. He thought to himself: Krpa had warned me that persons who don’t listen to their elders must lament later. The frustration of my attempt must be due to its inherently sinful nature. I wonder who is this astonishing being that has defeated me. Obviously further exertion on my part will be useless until my destiny is favourable. Let me now take shelter of my worshipful Lord Siva & seek his guidance   Asvattāma got down from his chariot & fervently prayed to Lord Siva offering his body, mind & soul. Lord Siva personally appeared & smilingly said: Dear Asvattāma, there is...
Read more