Dharma!


As Arjun approached Bhagadatta, Susarman & Trigarta warriors came from behind, challenging him to stop & fight. Thus, Arjun was again faced with same dilemma & so asked Sri Krsna: What should I do? Should I go to rescue our beleaguered warriors afflicted by Bhagadatta or should I face Trigartas?


Without replying, Krsna turned chariot to face onrushing foe. Arjun broke Susarman's bow, knocked down royal insignia & killed his 5 brothers. Infuriated Trigarta king hurled a spear at Arjun & a lance at Krsna. Arjun deftly foiled both weapons & with a shower of arrows, made Susrman fall unconscious


Being bereft of their leader, Trigartas became easy prey for Arjun's arrows & were soon routed. Arjun once again proceeded towards Bhagadatta, but 10000 chariot warriors of the Kaurava army approached in an attempt to block him


As Arjun proceeded to smash all Kaurava warriors, Bhagadatta couldn't tolerate this & so goaded his gigantic elephant, hoping to crush heroic son of Kunti. A fierce duel followed as Bhagadatta began overwhelming Krsna & Arjun with showers of arrows. Sri Krsna skillfully maneuvered Arjun's chariot so that the colossal beast rushed past on their left side


And yet, even though this gave Arjun a perfect opportunity to kill Bhagadatta's elephant, he refrained from doing so out of respect for rules of conduct governing combat


Infuriated elephant proceeded to crush many Pāndava soldiers & seeing this Arjun flared up with rage. Bhagadatta resumed showering arrows upon Krsna & Arjun and indeed all who watched this terrible battle considered these 2 heroes to be in a very precarious position


Arjun broke Bhagadatta's bow & killed the warrior protecting one of the elephant's sides. As Arjun continued breaking elephant's armor, Bhagadatta hurled many lances & sears in retaliation. Arjun broke all these before they could reach him, knocked royal emblem and umbrella & deeply pierced Bhagadatta with numerous arrows


As fight escalated, Bhagadatta empowered his elephant-hook by chanting mantras & converting it into a Vaishnava weapon. As he hurled it, Sri Krsna placed Himself in front of Arjun, thus allowing weapon to fall upon His chest. Astonishingly as the weapon touched Krsna's transcendental body, it transformed into a victor garland (Vaijayanti-mala) hanging around His neck


Following Dharma, which is the path laid by the Supreme Lord, will protect us under any circumstances. The concept of Dharma is universal. It refers to that which sustains one’s nature, which makes one who one is. For example, if we are driving a car on road, we need to follow rules of traffic. If not, then not only we harm ourselves but others too


Ultimately, we belong to the whole, the source from whom everything emanates & by whom everything is sustained, which is Krsna. And so, highest Dharma is to surrender to the Supreme Lord Krsna


sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja

ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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