Destiny!

 

Parasuram said: O forefathers, it will not be me who stops fighting first, for never have I retreated from a battlefield! You better approach Bhisma & make him stop fighting

 

The sages who had come with Narada, headed by Rcika, next went to Bhisma & requested him to put down his weapons. However, Bhisma replied: O venerable brahmanas, due to the nature of kshatriya morality, I’ll never agree to turn back from a battle if my adversary is still eager to fight

 

Indeed, even though Ganga-devi, Narada Muni & other sages repeatedly tried to dissuade him, Bhisma remained poised with an upraised bow & arrow, ready to continue fighting. The forefathers once again went to Parasuram & pleaded: O descendent in our line, because you are a brahmana; you are supposed to exhibit the quality of forgiveness. Bhisma is incapable of being killed by you and so you should honor our command by putting aside your weapons

 

Finally, Parasuram relented. At that time the eight brahmanas once again appeared to Bhisma and said: Go to your preceptor and worship him with great respect. When Bhisma saw that Parasuram had desisted from fighting on the advice of his forefathers, he put aside his bow and approached him. Bhisma worshiped Parasuram. In turn the son of Jamadagni smilingly said: O son of Santanu, there is no kshatriya on earth who is your equal. I became highly satisfied to see you exhibit your exceptional prowess in battle

 

Parasurama called for Amba. In Bhisma's presence, he said: My dear princess, even though I fought to the best of my ability, I could not defeat Bhisma. There is nothing more I can do on your behalf & so you are free to go wherever you choose. However, in my opinion, Bhisma is your only shelter. I suggest you appeal to him for mercy

 

Amba replied: I’ll only approach Bhisma after I’ve obtained the means for killing him myself in battle

 

After saying this, Amba angrily departed, being determined to perform severe austerities for the purpose of encompassing the destruction of Bhisma. Parasuram & his associates then set out for Mount Mahendra, while Bhisma returned to Hastinapura. But, from the moment of Amba's departure, Bhisma lost all cheerfulness of heart so that he soon became depressed

 

Bhisma employed some spies to monitor Amba's activities so that every day he would receive a report of exactly what she had done & said. Thereafter, when Bhisma described his fears to Narada & Vyasa Deva, they tried to cheer him up by saying: You can be rest assured that no amount of individual exertion can change the course of Destiny

 

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhya-taraṁ mayā
vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru

Thus, I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do

 

Here Krsna urges Arjun to choose wisely after contemplating the consequences of different courses of action. This call implies that Arjun indeed has the power to choose & that this choice will shape his future. In determining our life’s trajectory, destiny’s role is substantial but not final. Due to our past karma, certain things that happen to us from the moment we are born are determined. But destiny doesn’t take away our power to choose how we respond to what happens

 

We have the power to change destiny & the best path is Bhakti Yoga

Happy Janmashtami!

 

#gameoflife


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