Strength!


After telling about Shikhandi, Bhisma said: Dear Duryodhana, I was able to learn all this by sending numerous spies to Drupada's kingdom. Some of the spies disguised themselves as idiots & others as blind men to skillfully execute the duties of their profession


When Sikhandi attacks me with weapons, I’ll not even look at him, what to speak of releasing my arrows. It is my firm vow never to attack a woman, one who has a woman's name, or one whose form resembles that of a woman, lest I be criticized by the righteous


After thinking over Bhisma's words, Duryodhana considered them befitting a great hero. When the night passed, Duryodhana once again went to Bhisma & asked: Grandsire, how many days would it take you to single handedly exterminate entire Pāndava army?


Bhisma said: According to the rules of combat, one should fight in relation to the status of his opponent. In consideration of this, I will kill at least 10,000 foot soldiers & 1000 chariot warriors each day. On the other hand, if I were to make an all-out assault with celestial weapons that can kill hundreds & thousands at a time, I could annihilate entire Pāndava army in about a month


Duryodhana made same inquiry to the other great heroes, including Drona, Krpa, Asvattāma & Karna


Drona replied: I have now become old. Still, I also feel that I could consume the Pāndava army in a month, if I so desire


Krpa estimated that it would take him 2 months. Asvattāma vowed to exterminate the entire Pāndava army in 10 days. When Karna pledged to annihilate the opposition in just 5 days, Bhisma laughed out loud & declared: O Suta’s son, you can boast however you like, but only for as long as you do not confront Krsna & Arjuna on battlefield!


Spies reported these conversations to Maharaja Yudhisthira, who then called his brothers to repeat to them the statements made by the Kuru leaders. He then asked: Dear Arjuna, how long do you think it would take you to exterminate the enemy?


Arjuna looked at Lord Krsna & said: O King, even if the Kurus' estimates are accurate, you shouldn’t be anxious. With Lord Krsna as my ally, if He so desires, I could single-handedly annihilate the entire three worlds in the twinkling of an eye


Thereafter, both armies marched onto the vast plains of Kurukshetra under clear blue skies. There was only a single thought in the minds of all warriors-to gain victory over enemy. While going, they spoke to each other to build their confidence. All great warriors were dressed in white robes & they carried aloft their symbols, along with their upraised weapons


Mahabharata war is about to begin!🥷


However strong we may be, if the Supreme Lord so desires, we can be paupers. Krsna says

 

balaṁ balavatāṁ cāhaṁ

I am the strength of the strong

 

If He so desires, all our strength is of no use if it is used for personal aggression & not to protect the weak and as par shastric injunctions


Let's not be bewildered by our so called skills & strength


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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