Downward Spiral!

After Krpā’s stern reply to Karna, he smilingly said: O Krpā, I agree with you that Sri Krsna & Arjun are ordinarily incapable of being vanquished, but with Indra’s invincible dart I know that I will be able to kill Arjun. It is for this reason alone that I am bragging so much. Now, let me warn you. Do not try to insult me once again, because of your partiality towards the Pāndavās. If you dare address me harshly again, I will cut out your tongue with my sword

 

When Asvattāma heard his maternal uncle insulted, he angrily unsheathed his sword. While rushing at Karna, he declared: Vile Suta! Because of your excessive pride & impudence, I will severe your head from your body!

 

While Krpā & Duryodhana quickly restrained Asvattāma, Karna urged them to let Drona’s son go so they could fight. Asvattāma finally became pacified & along with Krpā he forgave Karna while at the same time assuring him that Arjun would be the one who would cut down his swelling pride

 

Thereafter, Karna began to route the Pāndava forces & so Arjun rushed to check him. As the two archrivals fought, Arjun pierced Karna in the left wrist, making his bow drop from his hand. Karna quickly picked up his bow & resumed fighting, but Arjun broke it in half at the handle. Arjun then killed Karna’s horses and beheaded his charioteer so that he jumped down and got on Krpā’s chariot

 

At this time Kaurava soldiers became very fearful, but as they began to retreat, Duryodhana restored their confidence by assuring them that he would personally lead them

 

As Duryodhana proceeded towards Arjun, Krpā ordered Asvattāma to go and restrain him, for he was afraid for the King’s life. Asvattāma thus intercepted Duryodhana and implored: O King! It is not proper for you to fight with your enemies as long as we, your protectors, are still alive. Do not worry, for I promise that I will check Arjun from slaughtering our warriors any further

 

Duryodhana said: Dear Asvattāma, because of your affection for the Pāndavās, you never fight with them whole-heartedly. Still, I know that you are the only one powerful enough to contend with Arjun. Therefore, I beg you to go now & lead us to victory over our enemies

 

Asvattāma said: I can assure you that I am quite capable and also willing to vanquish the Pāndava army. You doubt my sincerity only because you are too greedy and proud. The fact is that, because of your sinful nature, you are suspicious of everyone

 

After saying this, Asvattāma departed, and he soon commenced a great slaughter of the Pāncāla warriors

 

Humility learns even from success, but pride (false) does not even from failure

We learn much from our failures than from our successes. When we succeed, we may become so full of pride of ourselves & think - What is there to learn for me, I know everything & that’s why I am successful. In contrast, when we fail, we frequently become contemplative & receptive to learn and make effort on how we can improve ourselves

 

We also see that some people, however, don’t learn even from failure. Such people are ungodly and of a demonic nature. These people’s qualities begin with arrogance & end with ignorance too. They think that they know everything although they don’t. Even when they fail, they don’t think of improving themselves, but find excuses & scapegoats. Their arrogance traps them in ignorance & their ignorance exacerbates their arrogance

 

Such self-destructive self-obsession is demonstrated in the Mahabharata through the demonic Duryodhana. He was mad with greed & was also blind to both Sri Krsna’s omnipotence & the Pandavas’ virtues. Being thus deluded, he schemed against the Pandavas repeatedly. Though all his schemes ended up making them stronger, he adamantly refused to learn from anyone–from elders, sages, Krsna or even his own experience. Consequently, he courted his own destruction

 

Do we also behave the same as Duryodhana? If not, we too are on a downward spiral. Lot of people fall prey to this false sense of pride

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife