Criticism!

Day 3 of the war started


Bhisma arrayed Kaurava army in a Garuda formation. The Pāndavās countered by arraying their forces in half-moon formation. From the very beginning, Arjun created a great slaughter in enemy ranks & so many leading Kaurava warriors soon came and surrounded him, showering arrows. Arjun successfully repulsed his attackers, giving demigods that were watching from above, great delight

 

Elsewhere, Sakuni army surrounded Abhimanyu & Sātyaki. When his chariot was smashed in the conflict, Sātyaki got onto Abhimanyu’s chariot & together they began to slaughter Sakuni’s soldiers. Meanwhile, Bhima & Ghatotkacha fought very heroically together & so Duryodhana rushed upon the scene and checked them both with shower of arrows

 

Bhima pierced Duryodhana in the chest with an arrow, making him faint onto the seat of his chariot. The charioteer took him away from battlefield & upon seeing this, all Kaurava soldiers fearfully retreated. Bhima followed them & along with Dhristadyumna, created a great slaughter of enemy soldiers. Even though this massacre took place within the sight of Bhisma & Drona, the 2 commanders were unable to rally their forces. Only when Duryodhana returned to battlefield, did the Kaurava army returned back

 

Duryodhana went to Bhisma & complained: O Grandsire, it is hard for me to believe that my army is being routed in your presence. It is now obvious to me that both you & Drona favor the Pāndavās and thus are unwilling to fight with them wholeheartedly. You should have told me this before the fighting began so that I could have made other arrangements. You have accepted the post of commander-in-chief & so it behooves you to fight to the best of your ability

 

Bhisma became very irritated while being criticized like this. With a disdainful laugh he replied: O king, I warned you again & Again that the Pāndavās are incapable of being vanquished. Still, I do whatever is within my power & I promise that today you will see me check all of the Pāndavās in battle

 

Duryodhana was pleased to hear Bhisma’s assurances. He ordered all Kaurava warriors to blow their conch shells & musicians to beat their drums

 

Criticism of one team member for the outcome of the situation can be counterproductive. When we see someone doing something that seems incorrect to us, we may feel that we have the right to criticize, assuming we are more knowledgeable than them and declare them wrong

 

When we criticize others, they need to first acknowledge our expertise over them. Trust in our capabilities will make them accept criticism positively, leading to improvement. For earning trust, often more important than expertise is empathy. If others feel that our words are genuine and true to the situation, they will listen. Else, it will just create more discomfort & enmity within

 

Only when we are spiritually rich, we can be real well-wishers of all & then even our words of criticism has effect

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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