Choice!

At the sun rise, Karna arranged the Kaurava army in a makara formation. While gazing upon the enemy array, Maharāj Yudhisthira said: My dear Arjun, the depleted Kaurava army has only one supremely powerful warrior, Karna. If he can somehow be killed, victory will surely be ours

 

Arjun counter-arrayed the Pāndava army in a half-moon formation and as the two forces joyfully rushed at each other, fierce fighting resumed. While riding upon an elephant, Bhima inflicted the Kaurava army with heavy losses. At the same time Karna slaughtered innumerable Pāndava soldiers

 

Asvattāma rushed to confront Bhima and as they proceeded to furiously fight, neither could gain the upper hand. As the two incomparable heroes battled, it appeared that two great masses of cloud poured torrents of arrows upon one another

 

Finally, desirous of killing each other, both Bhima & Asvattāma picked up powerful arrows & drew their bowstrings back to their ears. After being released, these two arrows struck their targets simultaneously, causing both Bhima & Asvattāma to sink down to the floors of their chariots, bereft of consciousness

 

Meanwhile, as Bhima & Asvattāma were whisked away by their charioteers, Arjun was engaged elsewhere slaughtering the samsaptakas. While admiring the great exhibition of prowess they exhibited, the demigods & sages showered flowers upon Sri Krsna & Arjun. At that time an unseen voice exclaimed: These two supremely heroic warriors are none other than Nara & Nārayana Rsi!

 

Asvattāma had recovered in the meantime. Being unable to tolerate the honour given to Sri Krsna & Arjun, he rushed at them while challenging Kunti’s son to fight. Arjun asked Krsna whether he should accept Asvattāma’s challenge or continue fighting with samsaptakas. In response, Lord took him toward Drona’s son

 

From a distance, Arjun broke Asvattāma’s bow. After picking up a stronger bow, Asvattāma began showering millions of arrows upon Arjun. Indeed, due to Asvattāma’s inconceivable prowess, arrows emanated from all over his body, as well as from his armour and chariot. Still, Arjun dexterously cut every arrow into 3 pieces & then discharged torrents of arrows at the samsaptakas, slaughtering them from a great distance

 

Asvattāma pierced Sri Krsna & Arjun deeply with five arrows. At that time Sri Krsna asked: Dear Arjun! Why are you fighting with Asvattāma so differently. If Drona’s son is left unvanquished, he will go on & consume our entire army

 

After hearing this, Arjun began piercing Asvattāma all over his body & then suddenly cut his reins. As Arjuna continued to severely pierce Asvattāma’s horses, they carried the son of Drona far away from the battlefield. Being deeply wounded, Asvattāma lost all hope for victory & so gave up fighting with Arjun and went to Karna’s shelter

 

Bad situations can explain bad decisions, but they don’t excuse our bad decisions. We all face bad situations despite our putting best efforts. That means situations where we just don’t have any good options & every choice, we make seems to lead us to a terrible situation.

 

Here Arjun is guided by Sri Krsna to take strong decision & come out of the predicament of should he or should he not fight to his best abilities with the son of his teacher, Dronācharya. If we also follow Supreme Lord’s guidance, he can also lead us from within to make good decisions in bad situations we fall into. Choice is ours!

 

#gameoflife

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