Vedic Wisdom Talks

Grab or Lose! As Krsna implored Arjun on why his arrows are not able to penetrate Duryodhana’s armour, he said: You’re knower of everything-past, present & future. Why do You inquire from me about cause of my failure? I think that Duryodhana must have got Drona’s impenetrable armour capable of repelling even Indra’s thunderbolt. Even if this is so, it doesn’t matter. Kaurava king is certainly no more capable of utilizing it properly than a woman. Be assured that I'll vanquish Duryodhana, despite his armour Saying this, Arjun empowered some arrows with a special mantra & placed them on his bowstring. However, Asvattāma broke those arrows to pieces before Arjun can release them. Arjun was highly amazed & said: O Krsna! I can’t employ this weapon twice. If I were to do so, it would destroy me instead of my enemy Meanwhile, Duryodhana continued to fearlessly shower arrows upon Arjun & Krsna. Arjun carefully scrutinized Duryodhana & yet could not discern a single pla

  Constructive criticism!   Knowing that Arjun’s horses were fatigued, entire Kaurava army gradually surrounded him. Arjun said: O Krsna, what should I do? We’re still a long distance from Jarasandha. I think You should quickly get down from chariot & tend to horses. Pluck the arrows from their bodies & let them rest for few minutes before we continue penetrating Kaurav ranks   Sri Krsna considered this as a good idea & so both He & Arjun dismounted. Kaurav warriors were overjoyed to obtain this golden opportunity & began showering their arrows upon Arjun with great enthusiasm. Arjun stood upon the ground, bow in hand. As he proceeded to foil enemy’s weapons & check their progress, Sri Krsna said: Your horses are desperately in need of water, but there is no well to be found here   Hearing this, Arjun pierced the earth with a wonderful celestial weapon that instantly created a beautiful lake containing cool transparent water, filled with lotus flowers & inha

 P raise!   Duryodhana with celestial armour given by Drona, proceeded to where Arjun stayed, followed by 1000 elephants, 100000 horse soldiers & innumerable chariot warriors   At noon, Pāndava army attacked Drona who was stationed at the head of Kaurava army. Dhrishtadyumna led Pāndava forces & while confronting Drona he succeeded in dividing Kaurava army into 3 parts so that a great massacre took place. Drona flared up like a raging fire & began consuming Pāndava warriors in retaliation. At this time no one dared come before him   Bhima fought Jalasandha, Yudhisthira with Krtavarmā, Sātyaki with Dushasana, Sanjaya with Cekitāna & Sakuni became so hard-pressed while fighting with Nakula and Sahadev, that he fled to Drona’s shelter. Dhrishtadyumna rushed to check Drona. In the fierce duel that followed, great warriors were killed on both sides. The two then came so close that as Drona’s white horses mixed with Dhrista’s red ones, they appeared like clouds su

  Words!   Sudaksina rushed at Arjun, but after a brief exchange of arrows his bow was broken & his flag was cut down. He hurled a blazing spear that pierced Arjun deeply, making him momentarily fall unconscious. After recovering, Arjun angrily smashed Sudaksina’s chariot to pieces & then sent him to the abode of Yamarāj   1000’s of Kamboj warriors rushed at Arjun in retaliation, but when 600 of them were killed within moments, rest beat a hasty retreat. Unable to tolerate this, Srutāyu & Acyutāyu rushed impetuously at Arjun showering arrows at him. Srutāyu pierced Arjun with a lance, making him reel due to dizziness. Taking advantage, Acyutāyu pierced him with a spear. Being deeply wounded, Arjun had to steady himself by holding on to his flagpole. When Kaurava warriors saw this, they thought that Arjun was slain & shouted with joy   Sri Krsna became exceedingly aggrieved to see Arjun practically losing consciousness. He tendered to him while Srutāyu &

  Anger!   Drona released torrents of arrows completely covering Arjun’s chariot. Arjun attacked Drona in return, but it soon became apparent that the Preceptor was getting the better of his disciple   Drona cut Arjun’s bowstring. Arjun quickly put a new string & began killing many of Drona’s supporting warriors, but then the preceptor pierced him very deeply in chest causing him to tremble violently. Arjun regained his composure & continued fighting but Drona still predominated   Sri Krsna said: Dear Arjun! You must keep in mind today’s main business & thus not waste time fighting with Drona. Pass him by & penetrate deeper into Kaurava ranks. Obeying Krsna’s command, Arjun left aside Drona. At this the Preceptor challenged: O son of Kunti, why are you fleeing? Come back & try to vanquish your enemy   Arjun cleverly said: You’re not my enemy, you’re my guru & so I’m not capable of vanquishing you   Saying this, Arjun continued to penetrate Kaurava ranks while th

  Krsna's Vow!   On the morning of 14 th day of the war, Maharāj Yudhisthira approached Sri Krsna & said: You are our only shelter. Pls rescue us from this great danger by enabling Arjun to fulfil his vow   Sri Krsna said: I promise that Jayadratha will be dead upon the battlefield before sun sets today. My words cannot prove false & so be assured that there is no doubt about this. Arjun then entered the assembly. After being heartily embraced by Yudhisthira, he related previous night’s wonderful dream wherein he met Lord Siva, by Sri Krsna’s grace. Hearing Arjun’s account, all Pāndava warriors became enlivened, for they were confident that he would fulfil his vow   As the Pāndava army set out that morning, fragrant breezes blew from behind & there were many other signs indicating victory. Arjun ordered Sātyaki to protect Maharāj Yudhisthira so that he would be free to penetrate Kaurava army & fulfil his vow   Meanwhile, Drona had arranged for Jayad