“Yes, I’m doing my best, Krishna!” came the meek reply from Arjuna who couldn’t summon the will to harm his great-grandfather.
Arrows flew thick and fast.
So far, Bheeshma’s arrows had been merely grazing the surface; now the grandsire took serious aim, and the missiles began to pound, threatening to cause bodily harm to Arjuna.
Throwing down the reins of the chariot, Krishna jumped down.
Grabbing the wheel of a broken chariot He charged towards Bheeshma, determined to put an end to him.
Seeing this, Bheeshma put down his bow and with a smile, and welcomed Krishna. “What bigger fortune will I have, O Madhava, than to be killed by Your divine hand?”
Watching these events, Arjuna was shaken out of his complacence.
Rushing towards Krishna, he begged, “No, Krishna, don’t do this! Don’t you remember that you have taken a vow that You will NOT pick up weapons in this yuddha? How can You break Your Word thus?!?”
Placated, Krishna returned to His chariot and the war continued.
The Lord is said to be “Satya Vaakyan” – One who is always true to His word.
Why then did He take the decision to forego His word to abstain from fighting in the war?
Because the Lord possesses another quality that He values far more than His word – the quality of “Aashrita Paaratantrya” – One who is dependent on the wishes of the devotee who seeks Him!
In Srimad Bhagavatam (9.4.63), the Lord says
“Ahaṁ bhakta-parādhīno”
“I am completely under the control of My devotees.”
Bheeshma was an ardent devotee of the Lord.
Bheeshma had taken a vow that he would either kill Arjuna or force Krishna to pick up arms in the war.
To keep the word of this great devotee, the Lord was more than willing to give up His word!
Now Arjuna was also dear to Krishna; so, when Bheeshma’s arrows threatened the very life of Arjuna, He didn’t think twice before charging at Bheeshma to protect His devotee Arjuna.
In the Bhagavad Geeta (9.31), the Lord has proclaimed:
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्त: प्रणश्यति ||
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati
“O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that no devotee of Mine is ever lost.”
Why is the Lord asking Arjuna to declare this? Why doesn’t He declare it Himself?
Because He knows that He may break His own promise, but nothing in the world will drive Him to break the word of His devotee!
What bigger reassurance do we need of the Lord’s unconditional loving acceptance of us? Isn’t this reason enough to motivate us to become His bhaktas?
On today’s divine occasion of Ekadashi, let us pray for the Lord to bless us with such bhakti!
Placated, Krishna returned to His chariot and the war continued.
The Lord is said to be “Satya Vaakyan” – One who is always true to His word.
Why then did He take the decision to forego His word to abstain from fighting in the war?
Because the Lord possesses another quality that He values far more than His word – the quality of “Aashrita Paaratantrya” – One who is dependent on the wishes of the devotee who seeks Him!
In Srimad Bhagavatam (9.4.63), the Lord says
“Ahaṁ bhakta-parādhīno”
“I am completely under the control of My devotees.”
Bheeshma was an ardent devotee of the Lord.
Bheeshma had taken a vow that he would either kill Arjuna or force Krishna to pick up arms in the war.
To keep the word of this great devotee, the Lord was more than willing to give up His word!
Now Arjuna was also dear to Krishna; so, when Bheeshma’s arrows threatened the very life of Arjuna, He didn’t think twice before charging at Bheeshma to protect His devotee Arjuna.
In the Bhagavad Geeta (9.31), the Lord has proclaimed:
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्त: प्रणश्यति ||
kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśhyati
“O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that no devotee of Mine is ever lost.”
Why is the Lord asking Arjuna to declare this? Why doesn’t He declare it Himself?
Because He knows that He may break His own promise, but nothing in the world will drive Him to break the word of His devotee!
What bigger reassurance do we need of the Lord’s unconditional loving acceptance of us? Isn’t this reason enough to motivate us to become His bhaktas?
On today’s divine occasion of Ekadashi, let us pray for the Lord to bless us with such bhakti!
Good morning madam,
ReplyDeleteEven though I know the episode, it is highly appreciable the way it was presented.
Thank you very much madam.
Please continue to enlighten the people regarding these intrinsic details of our great scriptures.
Best regards,
M Narayana Babu
I'm happy to have given you an opportunity to revisit the episode. Thank you for your kind appreciation. Indeed it is the Lord only who inspires the presentation 🙏
DeleteSo beautiful... Am touched. Pranams. Every time you pen your thoughts it touches a new high... Sometimes tears and sometimes smiles and then some times profound silence... May Bhagwan keep you and yours blessed always. हरिः ॐ
ReplyDeletePranams 🙏Thank you for your heartfelt blessings... they will help me continue to be inspired to write 🙂
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