Vedic Wisdom Talks

Anger-Elevates or Degrades! After Pāndavās departure, Duryodhana thro’ some sympathizers asked to inform Krpā, Asvattāma & Krtvarmā, about how he is lying after been mortally wounded by unfair means. He also said to convey the message that Pandavas should never be trusted, because of their having taken to the path of righteousness The messengers soon met the trio & after hearing vivid description of how Bhima had defeated Duryodhana, the 3 warriors rushed to where the Kaurava king was. When they saw Duryodhana writhing in pain, lying in his own blood & dazed due to shock, Krpā, Asvattāma, Krtvarmā quickly ran to his side Asvattāma lamented at great length seeing Karava king Duryodhana reduced to such a pitiful condition by unfair means. He gradually became obsessed with uncontrollable anger. He also remembered how his father had been killed in a similar devious manner. Suddenly, he vowed: O King! I hereby promise to kill the Pāndavās & Pāncālas this very night...

Empathy! After reaching Hastinapur, Sri Krsna as per the etiquette first spoke to Dhritarashtra in a very gentle voice: My dear King, you know that the Pandavas have always been submissive to you. They had tried best to avoid fighting with your sons, even to the extent of voluntarily accepting a long period of exile   I had previously come here & begged for peace & at that time I had requested a mere five villages on behalf of Pandavas. Still, you could not accept this proposal due to greed & the force of Destiny. Nor could you accept the good advice given by Vidura, Bhisma, Drona & many others who desired a peaceful settlement   Dear King, pls do not blame the Pandavas, for they are faultless & your only remaining descendants. Despite coming out victorious, Maharaj Yudhisthira burns with grief because of the great slaughter that took place. He also feels terribly miserable because he knows just how much you & Gandhari must be suffering. Indee...

Surrender & be elevated! Sri Krsna told Arjun: Pick up your Gandiva bow & two inexhaustible quivers & get down from your chariot before Me. In a moment you will see how I’m speaking for your benefit   Arjun first climbed to the ground & then as Sri Krsna dismounted, Hanuman immediately disappeared from the flag. At the same instant, even though no visible flames could be seen, the entire chariot with its yoke & horses became reduced to a pile of ashes. Upon seeing this, Arjun was struck with wonder   Finally, after composing himself, Arjun bowed down before Sri Krsna. With folded hands he asked: O Krsna, what is the reason for this astonishing occurrence?   Sri Krsna replied: Dear Arjun! In actuality your chariot had already been consumed by innumerable celestial weapons that were poured upon it by Bhishma, Drona & Karna, but as long as I remained seated upon it, the chariot stayed intact. Now, since your objective is fulfilled & ...

Krsna’s plan! Bhima approached Yudhisthira & with folded hands declared: O King, the earth is now yours to rule without impediment. At last, all our enemies have been slain!   Yudhisthira said: Dear Bhima, rest assure that I’m very pleased with you, for you have properly repaid your debt to our mother & to your anger as well.   At that time all Pāndava warriors rejoiced at Duryodhana's fall. Some responded by roaring like lions & waving their garments. Others blew their conch shells & played drums, while still others laughed aloud & sported by jumping about playfully   However, while everyone was thus engaged in glorifying Bhima for his accomplishment, Sri Krsna interrupted them by ordering: All of you should refrain from further rejoicing & harsh speech in Duryodhana's presence. The sinful & greedy wretch has already been defeated. Let us now return to our camp so that he can die in peace   Hearing Krsna’s...

Decision making! When Sri Balarama saw Bhima unfairly strike Duryodhana's thighs, He became extremely angry. Loudly addressing the assembly, He said: O Kings, Bhima is a rascal for purposely striking his opponent below the navel and so he deserves to be punished! After saying this, Sri Balarama picked up His Plow weapon & rushed impetuously toward Bhima with the intention of killing him   Sri Krsna quickly went and caught Balarama in His arms & then began pacifying Him by saying: Dear brother, You should consider how it was Bhima's vow to break Duryodhana's highs. Besides, this act was already predestined by Maitreya Rsi's curse. You should forgive Bhima, for he is the son of our father's sister. Sri Balarama replied: No matter what You say, Bhima has acted abominably & so he should be punished!   Sri Krsna implored: Brother, please give up Your anger. Even if You consider Bhima's act to be immoral, You should at the same time think of it a...

Immorality or morality? Sri Krsna said to Arjun: Sukra gave instructions-When an enemy that had formerly been routed, returns to the battlefield with renewed vigour & determination, having become reckless of his very life, he should be especially feared. Duryodhana had fled from the battlefield after losing his entire army. Out of hopelessness he wanted to retire to the forest. Now, since he has been challenged after having practiced very diligently with the mace for 13 years, Duryodhana will surely regain his kingdom if he is not killed by unfair means   Having understood from Sri Krsna the course of action that must be taken, Arjun meaningfully slapped his left thigh within Bhima’s sight. Picking up this signal, Bhima began to whirl his mace more impetuously while moving here & there with great dexterity. Still, Duryodhana expertly countered all of Bhima’s attacks. As the maces repeatedly clashed, thunderous sounds were created as sparks flew off in all directions. ...

                                                Intelligence in Goodness, Passion & Ignorance! Bhima & Duryodhana rushed at one another & a dreadful fight ensued. After some time both warriors became exhausted from the fight & so they stopped awhile to rest. Then, as all demigods stationed in the sky looked on in wonder, they resumed the contest   While combating with one another, both perfectly displayed all he arts of club fighting. Sometimes they wheeled about or jumped high to avoid each other’s blows. Both were covered with blood. Soon, it appeared as if Duryodhana was gaining the upper hand. Then, suddenly, Duryodhana struck Bhima severely on the head. Without wavering, Bhima stuck back forcibly, but the Kaurava king artfully dodged the blow & retaliated by smashing him in the chest with great force, making him become momentarily da...

Bad association & Envy: Deadly Combo! Sri Krsna chastising Yudhisthira said-Ability is more important than brute strength in a duel with clubs & so you once again face a very dangerous situation. Who else besides you would abandon a certain victory by granting benedictions to his one remaining enemy? Even Bhima is incapable of killing Duryodhana in a fair fight. How could you dare declare that the Kaurava king can regain his kingdom after having killed only one Pāndava?   With a voice laden with disgust, Sri Krsna concluded his chastisement by saying: O Yudhisthira! It is obvious that you are not meant to rule earth but instead destined to live a life of mendicancy in forest!   Bhima then said: Dear Krsna, pls don’t become so aggrieved. I can assure you that I will be able to kill Duryodhana, for I’m eager to fight & my mace is one and a half times heavier than his   Sri Krsna was very glad to hear these chivalrous words. He said: Dear Bhima! I’m...

Real compassion! Duryodhana who was hiding inside the lake, became very depressed hearing the bitter words from Yudhisthira, but since there was no alternative, he finally made up his mind to accept Yudhisthira’s challenge & fight. He said: I’m only one, whereas you Pandavas are many. Therefore, pls do not demand that I fight with all of you at once. Kindly allow me to combat you one at a time. In that way I will be able to kill all of you & thus repay the debt to the great warriors who died for my sake   Yudhisthira said: O Duryodhana. It is very commendable that you have accepted my challenge. Now you can choose whichever one of us you would like to fight with the choice of weapons will be yours. If you are able to kill any one of us Pandavas, you will be given back your kingdom. Otherwise, if we kill you, you will attain a heavenly destination   Duryodhana said: You have amply displayed your noble character by allowing me to fight against only one opponent...