Real courage!

As Sanjay walked back to Hastināpur, he came upon Krpā, Asvattāma & Krtavarmā. The 3 warriors were happy to see Sanjay & anxiously enquired about Duryodhana. Sanjay informed them of how the king had entered the lake within forest. When Asvattāma heard this, he lamented: O Sanjay, Duryodhana must not have known that we are still alive. Otherwise, there is no need for him to be morose, because the four of us together are quite competent to vanquish our enemies

 

They then came back to Kaurav camp & informed the outpost guards, as well as the women & old men about the end of the battle. When they heard about the deaths of their husbands, the wives of Dhārtarāshtrās that were killed that day began to cry very piteously while tearing their bodies with their nails & beating their heads with hands. Untying their braided hair, the widows continued to indulge in profuse lamentations while the men quickly dismantled the camp to go back to Hastināpur

 

Yuyutsu, the only surviving son of Dhritrāshtra, took permission from Maharāj Yudhisthira to return to Hastināpur. After returning he first met Vidura & informed about the final day of the war including Duryodhana’s departure and dismantling of Kaurav camp

 

Meanwhile, Krpā, Asvattāma & Krtavarmā went to the lake in forest hoping to meet Duryodhana. When they arrived at the shore of the Dvaipāyan lake, they loudly announced their presence to Duryodhana who was fast asleep within the water. Asvattāma loudly said: O King! Pls rise from water & fight with Yudhisthira. With the 3 of us supporting you, you can be sure that the Pāndavās will not be able to resist

 

Waking up, Duryodhana replied: I’m happy to know that you’re still alive. After resting here tonight, I’ll join you in fighting with Pāndavās tomorrow

 

Asvattāma urged: Pls allow us to fight with the Pāndavās tonight, for I’m unwilling to take off my armour until I can avenge the death of my father

 

As the 4 warriors were conversing, some hunters arrived at the lake to quench their thirst. They were very tired from carrying the heavy load of dead animals. When the hunters saw the 3 Kaurava warriors, they hid in the bushes to overhear their conversation. When they understood that Duryodhana was hiding within the lake, hunters decided to quickly inform this to Pāndavās

 

They came to Bhima & informed about what they had seen & heard. Bhima amply rewarded the hunters & then went to Yudhisthira to inform. All the Pāndavās were overjoyed to learn this & immediately set out for the lake. Sri Krsna accompanied the Pāndavās & hundreds of other warriors followed. When they came near, Krpā, Asvattāma & Krtavarmā hearing the approach, quickly bade farewell to Duryodhana & beat a timely retreat

 

Maharāj Yudhisthira came to the lake & loudly challenged Duryodhana: Why have you acted like a coward by hiding in the lake? Come out now & fight, if you consider yourself to be a heroic Kshatriya

 

Krsna says:

dambho darpo ’bhimānaś ca krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca
ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm

 

Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness & ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Pṛthā

 

Asvattāma despite being on the side of irreligiosity, desired to be courageous but has opposing conception of courage. The demoniac regard standing up to God, or whatever they perceive as the overarching principle of existence, as courage. They see this principle as unfair, brutal, or even diabolical, something that needs to be opposed & ultimately destroyed. This twisted determination & concept of courage drives them to acts of wanton destruction

 

As against this, the divine is prepared to stand up for God, ready to risk limb & life, if necessary, to protect people & principles dedicated to God’s service & to uphold a godly order in the world. Such a concept of courage safeguards sacred principles & even the foundational values of humanity & decency from barbaric forces driven by demoniac ideas

 

We need more of these courageous individuals if the world is to be protected from descending into chaos & carnage


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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