Divine protection!

 

As Ghatotkaca attacked & Kaurav soldiers fled, Karna did not waver & continued sending steady strem of arrows into the sky while a new driver yoked fresh horses onto his chariot. Ghatotkaca then hurled a sataghni weapon having wheels that killed these horses. After getting down from his chariot, Karna attempted to dispel the Rāksasā’s illusions by means of his celestial weapons. This also proved to be futile, however, and so at last Karna fearfully began thinking about what to do next

 

Upon seeing how their leader had become vulnerable, while being assaulted by showers of weapons, the Kaurava warriors shouted: O Karna, now is the time for you to invoke Indra’s invincible dart! The Dhārtarāshtrās & our entire army are about to be completely consumed by this terrible Rāksasā! Pls kill Ghatotkaca immediately so that the survivors can contend with the Pāndavās tomorrow

 

When Karna heard these anxious pleas & saw Ghatotkaca’s devastating attack that was annihilating the Kaurava army, he made up his mind to deploy Indra’s infallible dart. Convinced that there was no other way to check Bhimā’s son, Karna invoked the blazing dart he had worshipped for many years in the hope of killing Arjuna

 

When Ghatotkaca saw Indra’s dart in Karna’s hand, he immediately assumed a gigantic form & began to fearfully run away from the battlefield at full speed. Still, when Karna hurled that wonderful dart, it immediately dispelled Ghatotkaca’s illusions, pierced his chest & soared all the way to the heavenly planets

 

Being fatally wounded, Ghatotkaca let out a terrible roar & then fell dead onto the ground. And yet, even at the point of death, Bhimā’s heroic son wanted to do something to benefit the Pāndavās. Thus, while falling Ghatotkaca kept expanding his body & purposely landed upon the densest portion of the Kaurava army. In this way, Ghatotkaca crushed to death a full akshauhini while breathing his last

 

In spite of this, all of the Kaurava warriors shouted with joy, for they were highly relieved just to see the terrible Rāksasa had at last been killed

 

Meanwhile, Karna ascended Duryodhana’s chariot. At this time all the Kaurava warriors came & worshipped him with great respect & gratitude. On the other side, the Pāndava warriors were very aggrieved, and their eyes were filled with tears. The only exception was Sri Krsna. Although it had seemed highly out of place, when Bhima’s son was killed, He had loudly shouted with great joy. Indeed, after warmly embracing Arjuna. Sri Krsna began to dance in ecstasy! Then, after once again embracing His dear friend, Sri Krsna stood up on the chariot & repeatedly uttered exclamations of jubilation. This incongruous sight only served to aggravate the Pāndava warriors’ grief

 

The Supreme Lord knows well, how he had saved Arjun from the invincible dart of Indra which Karna had purposely kept for so many years

 

Huge learnings from this episode – How we can serve others till our last breath and how the Supreme Lord plans everything, even safeguarding our lives, if we are surrendered at His lotus feet

 

Krsna says:

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

 

O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes

 

Bhakti-Yoga’s purifying process cleanses the heart of the devotee, due to his remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly.  This can be achieved easily by chanting of the Maha-mantra - Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare,  & should be continued without stoppage. This will protect a devotee from all accidental fall-downs. He will thus remain perpetually free from all material contaminations and will remain under Krsna’s protection

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife