Glossary:
Terms/Concepts:
*Srimad Bhagavata Purana – also known as the Bhagavata Purana is one of Hinduism's 18 great Puranas
*Amrta-bindu Upanishad 2- one of the five Bindu Upanishads related to the Atharva Veda and one of the 20 Yoga Upanishads in the four Vedas
*Dharmakshetra – another name for the land of Kurukshetra; meaning the land where dharma was re-established via the Mahabharata battle (also known as the war for dharma)
*Kuru Vanshis – the members of the Kuru Dynasty
*Alta dye – red dye applied to the hands and feet of women in the Indian subcontinent (usually during marriage ceremonies and festivals)
*Pranam – a respectful salutation
*Kalyaanamastu - blessing for one's life to be like a flowing river, to flow in the right direction . Towards the right goal. To ensure peace, happiness and joy in life.
*Bharata Bhoomi - the land of Bharatas (now refers to the Indian subcontinent)
*'Religious practice' used in this part - referring to 'Dharma' (righteousness)
Characters in this part:
*Vrindavaneshwari Radha Rani – the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion and devotion; the eternal lover of Shri Krishna; Queen of Sri Vrindavan Dham
*Lord Sri Narayana – refers to Maha Vishnu; his form where he is situated in his yogic slumber on the celestial waters of the Ksheer Sagara
*King Shantanu – one of the past kings of Hastinapura; father of Bhishma and great-grandfather of the Pandavas
Queen Satyavati – wife of Shantanu; mother of Vichitravirya (one of her sons); step-mother of Bhishma; great-grandmother of Pandavas
*Ganga Putra Bhishma – another name for Bhishma indicating that he was the son of the River Ganga
*Vichitravirya – son of King Shantanu and Queen Satyavati; grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas
*Krishnaa – another name for Draupadi indicating her dark-complexion
*Mahadeva – another name for Lord Shiva meaning 'Great God'
*King Drupada – King of Panchala; father of Draupadi
*Parikshit – son of Abhimanyu and Uttara; future king of Hastinapura
Names of Krishna used in this part:
*Manohara – one who wins over the mind with his loving charm
*Madhava – meaning the 'Lord of fortune – Mahalakshmi (mother of the universe); also slayer of the demon Madhu
*Vasudeva Krishna– son of Vasudeva (Kunti's brother)
*Govinda – one who is the protector of cows
*Keshava – one with the long and beautiful locks of hair
*Kanhaiya – the one who we are able to lean on and share our burdens with
*Dwarakadheesh – Ruler of Dwaraka
*Janardhana – the one who bestows boons
*Kaar Muhil Vanna – the one whose dark complexion resembles the darkness of rainclouds
*Kalmashaheena – one who is sinless
*Mukhunda – one who provides liberation
*Geetacharya – the one who spoke the Geeta Upadesha to Arjuna on the Kurukshetra battlefields
Names of Arjuna used in this part:
*Partha – meaning 'son of Pritha (birth name of Kunti)'
*Dhananjaya – meaning 'the one who conquered wealth and gold'
*Mahanayak – the great hero/protagonist
*Brihannala – the name and eunuch form adorned by Arjuna during the 13th year exile of the Pandavas
**For more information on other terms already mentioned in previous chapters - please refer to the Glossary section in the respective chapters!
**IMPORTANT: This part of the chapter addresses a complex and sensitive topic that has been debated for decades or even beyond. This is solely my small and humble attempt at tackling a small portion of it for the purpose of this story. I attempted my best at adhering to the words of Shri Krishna's Geeta Upadesha (from the Bhagavad Gita), and justifying/explaining it, through examples and scenarios, to support the plot of the story. I would like to apologize in advance if I end up negatively impacting the feelings of any of my readers - as I do understand we all may have different opinions. Please feel free to comments your thoughts and opinions in a respectful manner! Thank you and I hope you enjoy this part :)
"When the kala chakra, binding each and every beat of this universe and its inhabitants, itself dances to the tunes of its creator...why repeatedly take the blame on your shoulder, oh sinless one?"
Arjuna held Krishna's compassionate gaze with his watery one, as he observed a smile playing on the lips of Manohara, who witnessed the exalting sense of security fall over his dearest Dhananjaya. Neither did his lips part, nor did any sound escape them, yet the eyes of Partha spoke volumes to the one who held his heart since time immemorial.
'You came for me, Madhava. You came for your Partha.'
'Did you even dare to expect otherwise, Partha!' mentally chuckled Vasudeva Krishna as he regarded his eternal companion with mischief filled orbs. 'Believe me, I have never even run after makhan (butter) filled pots as fast as I run towards those who call out 'Krishna' once with a heart abounding in love.'
"Vasudeva! When did you arrive, Son? I did not even receive you properly!" exclaimed Kunti as she hurriedly moved towards her admirable nephew, who bent down to receive her blessings.
Wiping away the endless tears streaming down her cheeks, her aged hands shook while grasping the broad shoulders of the one who has no beginning or end, as she gently raised him to a stand on his lotus-like feet, clothed by shining golden footwear. As the petal-like palm that provides all for the sustenance of the universe and its inhabitants, let itself softly graze her wrinkled cheeks, Kunti found herself breaking down into breathtaking sobs once again – considering the present state of her family.
"My dear Aunt, not to worry about formalities with me. This is also my home, so I do not require any grand welcoming," came the honey-coated voice, solely audible to the hearts that yearn for his one loving gaze. His butter-soft fingers brushed away the lingering tears, along with the stains left behind, on the cheeks of his father's dear sister. "But, why are you reduced to tears?"
"Vasudeva," cried Kunti as she let her forehead rest against the eternal residence of Maatha Lakshmi Devi, as her trembling arms wrapped around his well-structured torso. Krishna let his hand rest against the back of her head, securing it gently against his broad chest, as his moon-like cheek pressed against the sandalwood-hued dupatta covering the greyed head of the current Raja Maatha of Hastinapura. The woman who had suffered and pulled through tragic stages of her life from maidenhood to the present elderly years of her life.
"My dear Aunt, what has made you so distraught today?" murmured Govinda as he caressed the head of Pritha.
Kunti felt her sobs subside greatly, and her turmoil filled head flood with a newfound surge of peace, as it lay nestled between the caressing palm of the father of the universe, and his sculpted chest. Which housed his eternal consort; the goddess of prosperity herself – one loving form of the divine mother of the universe.
"Is there anything that occurs in this universe unaware to your knowledge, Vasudeva? Why are you testing me further, my Son?" whimpered one of the most intelligent women of times, who herself had uttered the words of wisdom describing Keshava's transcendental nature for upcoming generations to learn and praise. "Alaksyam sarva-bhutaanaam antar bahir avasthitam. Prakrteh param" (Srimad Bhagavata Purana). (Translates to – You are not seen by ordinary men, although You are everywhere, inside and outside. You are transcendental to this material creation.)
"All sources of conflicts and the solutions to bring about their peaceful closure arise from within the mind itself, my dear Aunt," replied Madhava as he cupped the hollowed cheeks of Kunti, and pressed a soft kiss on her wrinkled forehead. A pleasant shiver ran down the spine of the aged Queen of Pandu, who experienced a transcendental happiness wash over her being, as the feathery lips of Kanhaiya lingered over the skin above her eyebrows.
"But, what is one to do if that very mind itself becomes one's enemy, Vasudeva?" questioned a shattered Chakravarthi, who had stood up to receive his cousin. The one whom they have not seen in months.
"Ahh... a valid question you've brought up, Brother Yudhishthira!" exclaimed Krishna with a dazzling smile lighting his features, as he strode over towards his eldest cousin to receive his blessings. "Yet, is it not true that the thoughts that one decides to ponder on utilizing his mind, along with how he chooses to see a specific situation, is what makes his mind either his friend or enemy?"
"But, a sin is a sin. Regardless of the number of times one chooses to ponder over it, Vasudeva," blurted Bhima, as Dwarakadheesh turned to face the remaining Pandavas with a shining smile.
"What sin have you committed, my dear cousins?"
"Fighting this war itself was a sin, Shri Vasudeva," sighed Nakula, as Bhima grasped his younger brother's shoulder in silent comfort.
"The war was inevitable..." murmured Krishna, whose face now glowed with serenity, in the absence of his heart-robbing smile.
"Yes, the humiliation faced by Draupadi in the Hastinapura sabha, and the need for her justice made the war inevitable," argued Bhima. "That is what you mean, right?"
The soft chuckle, completely bereft of the usual joy and liveliness it thrived in, that escaped the luscious lips of Madhava, sent a chill of unsurety down the spines of all present in the room.
"Why the laugh, Vasudeva?" questioned a stunned Bhima as he closely observed the only one who was capable of guiding them in all situations; himself find their current situation amusing.
"The butcher brought down the knife on the neck of the goat, robbing the goat of its life. Yet, as the butcher made a profit from his action, the knife spent the remainder of its existence lamenting that it had snatched away a fellow life."
A small smile, sufficient to set aflutter the hearts of all its rays fell upon, bloomed on the face of Janardhana, as his eyes travelled from one confused gaze to another that occupied the large sitting room, in response to the words that had left his rose bud lips.
"Your words hold a deeper meaning, Vasudeva. But, I cannot wrap my head around what it is you're intending towards," replied a confused Yudhishthira.
Krishna walked towards the standing multi- layered step brass lamp near the centre of the room; the gazes of the Kuru Vanshis following his each and every move with rapt attention. The glow emanating from the flickering flames of the diyas housed on the lamp, danced across the features of 'Kaar Muhil Vanna,' adding on a dusky glow to the dark cloud-hued complexion of the Lord.
"Is the knife at fault here, Brother Yudhishthira?" came the calm voice of Krishna who continued to stall his gaze on the flickering flame of a single oil diya.
"Of course not! The knife was a mere instrument used to carry out the will of the one handling it. The purpose of the action was to make a profit – which was the aim of the butcher. The knife was merely controlled by the butcher to aid him in his purpose," replied Yudhishthira.
"Then which one are you, Brother? The butcher or the knife?"
Yudhishthira sunk back into his armchair, unable to maintain his stability, as the meaning behind the words of Vasudeva Krishna washed over him as a tidal wave, driving him deeper within the depths of his inner turmoil of an ocean.
The controller of the fire of creation itself, let his index finger graze over the flickering surface of the dancing flame before him, as his lips moved in sync. Providing a brief version of the Geeta Gyan delivered to the Mahanayak of Mahabharata on the sacred land of Dharmakshetra four years back.
"The inhabitants of this universe are all instruments in the hands of the one creator – we popularly address as 'God,' 'The Lord,' 'The Father,' 'The Almighty,' or 'Bhagwan.' Though we address him by various names, pertaining to the beliefs we hold to, he is one and one with all. Every being in this widespread universe is under the control of that Almighty and everything that takes place here is a part of his divine will.
If one chooses to look at the immediate image that took place – that is all his mind will be able to interpret as the happening. As is the case with the butcher and his knife. If one chooses to interpret just the scene of the knife severing the head of the goat – then one can only interpret that solely the knife has taken the life of the innocent animal."
Krishna spun around to face the Pandavas, his tranquil eyes settling over their perplexed ones.
"But, if one chooses to take a closer look at the larger image – then one will come to understand the greater context at play. He will understand that the knife is just a mere instrument, in the hands of the butcher, used to achieve his purpose. The thoughts that one decides to ponder on using his mind, along with how he chooses to see a situation, is what makes his mind either his friend or enemy," explained Krishna. "Mana Eva manuṣyāṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ bandha-mokṣayoḥ" (Amrta-bindu Upanishad 2). (Translates to - For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation).
"So, you're saying the war was also the purpose of the Almighty? And we were all mere instruments in fulfilling that purpose?" questioned Sahadeva.
Krishna smiled as he walked over towards his youngest cousin, and placed a reddened palm, permanently hued by its task of lovingly applying alta dye to the lotus feet of Vrindavaneshwari Radha Rani, over the left shoulder of Queen Madri's youngest son.
"The war itself was not the purpose, my dear Sahadeva. Rather, it was an inevitable means by which to fulfil the true purpose. The re-establishment of dharma in the world."
His smile widened as he walked over to Vrikodhara, who stood rooted in his stance next to Nakula. His face devoid of any traces of a returning smile.
"And you believing that the humiliation faced by Draupadi was the sole cause that made this war inevitable, is similar to the one who believes the smaller image of the knife robbing the goat of its life, Brother Bhima," spoke Krishna as he placed both his hands on the mighty shoulder blades of his second eldest cousin. "How did we all fail to see the larger context at play, filled with the different life turning events that have ultimately led to the inevitability of this devastating war?"
"You mean to say...everything that has happened thus far was destined to take place? Propelling the need for this war?" came an agitated voice making all turn towards the entryway.
There stood the Chakravarthini of Hastinapura, in all her glory. Adorned in a magnificent chilli-red lehenga, embroidered with golden thread work picturizing fiery lilies and gems, showcasing her elegant figure. Her ever blazing richly kohl-lined eyes, capable of displaying the extremes of every emotion known to mankind, currently flitted with a mixture of weariness and confusion as they settled upon her Sakha.
Next to her stood the princess of Dwaraka, dressed in a soft pink chiffon lehenga, bordered by a maroon silk dupatta worked with gemmed emerald green peacocks. Lips upturned in a soft smile in seeing her dear brother after months, yet the spark emanating from the stretched pink sensory organ, failing to brighten her agitated eyes.
"Pranam Mamashree," greeted a soft voice that had every head in the sitting room snap up to see the owner of the voice, as she gracefully strode into the room towards Vasudeva Krishna. With hands folded before her, the young princess and future Raja Maatha of Hastinapura bent down to receive his blessings.
"Kalyaanamastu, Putri Uttara," blessed Vasudeva with a soft smile playing on his features, as his hand settled over the downy head. Once covered by rich silks of brightly coloured duppattas, now shielded by a soft sandalwood-coloured one with minimal embroidered works; classifying her status as a young widowed wife. Yet, as she raised herself to her feet once again, one would easily be able to tell that her clothing was not the only change the young princess of Virata kingdom had undergone. The damsel whose face once held an unfadable blush on her rounded cheeks, as a result of her shyness that clung onto her as a second nature in all situations, now sported hollowed ones that were as pale as the white of the first snowfall. The eyes that once permanently housed the shining glint of a child's mischief had diminished to leave behind a weariness-tinged maturity, that came with losing the love of her life to the war at a tender age. Now pulling herself through the remaining days of her life with the sole purpose of raising the splitting image of her late husband, and future king of the Kuru dynasty.
Arjuna's heart sunk to witness the stoic pose of his beloved daughter-in-law, who had become more of a daughter to him over the years. As much as her confidence filled stature; standing strong despite all she has faced and lost, caused his heart to swell with pride, his searching eyes never failed to long for one more glimpse of the childish immaturity that had once housed this sophisticated face - which now hid emotions with lightening ease.
As if sensing his eyes on her, Uttara walked over to stand next to her father-in-law, who her heart continued to consider as her Guru Brihannala since the Pandavas Agyatavas year. The one who had trained her in the art of classical dance. The one who had secretly brought food for her when she had not been able to join the rest of the family for meals. The one who had patiently listened to her ranting and non-stop chattering, thereby brushing away the loneliness she had grown accustomed to, from being the daughter of a mother who barely had time to spare for her children. The one who had not only played the role of a Guru, but became another mother for Uttara during that year, whenever she would narrate historical tales of ancient kingdoms, while caressing her head to put her to sleep. She offered him a small smile and blinked her eyes in reassurance, as her gaze met his tear-filled ones.
"Have you had dinner, Putri? And where is Mitra?" questioned Arjuna, as he briskly rubbed his closed eyelids, preventing the outflow of tears that were pounding against his lids.
"I had, Pithashree. And, Mitra is fast asleep in my chamber with Parikshit."
"Ahh no! Now I'll have to wait till tomorrow to see my darling! Why did she have to sleep early?" whined Krishna, bringing a soft smile on all the faces present. If the bond shared between Mitra and her Arjun Baba brought a twinkle in the eyes of its viewers, the antics of Mitra and her Madhava never failed to turn up the corners of their lips.
"Govinda, you have not answered me," came the trembling voice of Yagyaseni, as she questioned him. "Everything that has happened thus far was destined to happen? Propelling the need for this war?"
Krishna smiled at his Sakhi, who had lost almost all she held dear to herself, in order to fulfil her purpose of being one of his most trusted instruments in the re-establishment of dharma in Aryavarta.
"As I've already said earlier...the war was inevitable by all means. As it was necessary for the cleansing of the adharma that had mounted the world, through sinful activities and the misinterpreted understandings of what dharma really is. And multiple events had lead up to the situation four years ago, propelling the need for the war," he explained in a calm voice, once again deprived of the playful note that was present merely moments ago at the mention of Vijaya Nandhini.
"And this was destined to happen before the Kauravas attempt at disrobing Panchali in the assembly hall?" Bhima questioned Krishna with a shaky voice, as the latter curiously observed the glint of agitation that had sparked the orbs of Vrikodhara, as he was forced to recall the gruesome image and the heart shattering pleas of his wife years ago in the halls of this very palace.
"Way before, Brother Bhima," murmured Krishna, as a meditative glaze shielded his magnificent orbs. Just as a passing cloud shields over the shining rays of the sun. "It began from a series of events that were destined to take place – leading to culminate in the Kurukshetra battle."
"What were the events that were destined to happen, Brother?" questioned Subhadra, as her shaking hands gripped the forearms of Draupadi, who silently caressed her head.
"There were many, Subhadre. But, I will name you a few to spark your understanding," replied Krishna as he began to speak of the history leading up to what we know today as the famous battle of Mahabharata - that took place approximately 5000 years ago on the very soils of Bharata Bhoomi.
"King Shantanu was destined to fall for the beauty of Queen Satyavati; whose father had only agreed for the marriage in condition that her children would be the successors to the throne of Hastinapura. Thereby ruling out what would have been the righteous rule of Ganga Putra Bhishma. And Mahamahim Bhishma was destined to take the vow of celibacy to ensure that neither he nor his descendants would be a hindrance to the succeeding of Vichitravirya and his descendants to the throne.
Maharani Gandhari was destined to marry Maharajah Dhritharashtra, through Mahamahim Bhishma's coordination, and commit to the self-made vow of a sight-free life. Thereby instigating Gandhara Raj Shakuni's thirst for revenge against the Kurus for destroying the future of his loveable sister. Hence, planting the initial seed required to pave way for the biased rule of King Dhritharastra and the malevolent scheming of his eldest and power-hungry son."
"And Maharaja Pandu was destined to retire to the forest with Aunt Kunti and Rani Madri, while Maharajah Dhritharashtra was destined to take over the rule of Hastinapura as the uncoronated King," he spoke while glancing at Raja Maatha Kunti whose eyes glazed with unshed tears, in response to that memory. The day she had last left Hastinapura with her better half, only to return back without him some years later – owning to her cruel fate.
Govinda walked over to his dear Sakhi, and placed his hand over her shoulder in silent comfort as he regarded Krishnaa, with a compassionate gaze.
"Aunt Kunti was destined to ask the Pandavas to share what Arjuna had brought back with him, without knowing it was Draupadi, as Panchali was destined to become the wife of the Pandavas. Another instigation for the war, making true Maharajah Drupada's curse for his daughter, and Draupadi's wish to Mahadeva in her previous life. Paving way for the bitter result of destiny the Kauravas would repeatedly use to humiliate the Pandavas and Panchali for, culminating in the gambling match – hence hammering the final nail for the surety of the battle."
He shook his head in the negative, as he gently wiped away the few tears that slipped past the fiery eyes of the Panchala princess, who would continue to live her life, and be remembered for eons to come, as the main reason for the Mahabharata battle that had slaughtered the hopes of the Kuru Dynasty.
"Now let me ask you all something. So, you all believe you've committed a grave sin, or 'sins' to be precise. Would anyone care to tell me what exactly a sin is?" questioned Kalmashaheena in a calm voice.
"An immoral act, which is considered a transgression against the law of the divine or Almighty," answered Yudhishthira, who stood fazed by the words of Dwarakadheesh.
"I agree wholeheartedly with your response, Chakravarthi. But when the war itself was an inevitable means by the Almighty, the culmination of all the events that were destined to take place, to fulfil his purpose of the re-establishment of dharma – then how could it be considered a transgression against the law of the divine or Almighty himself? How can your actions, as the mere instruments in the hands of the one who reigns over you, transgress the law created by that being? How could it possibly be classified as a 'sin?'"
A surging chill thundered through the nerves of the brothers as the gravity of the words spoken by their maternal cousin weighed down above them.
"All this gruesome slaughtering for the sole purpose of dharma establishment?" questioned Sahadeva.
Krishna offered a small smile to the youngest Pandava Prince, who was known for his wisdom and calm nature. Yet, unable to depend on either at this moment, due to the guilt of being a cause of the gruesome slaughtering of his relatives, eating him from within.
"Each and every soul that arrives from its eternal home to commence its journey in this very world, comes alone and leaves alone. But accompanied by one thing in common – its purpose to fulfil in its unlimited number of lifetimes. That purpose may be different for all. And no soul shall return back to Godhead without the fulfilment of that purpose, my dear Cousins. And regardless of the countless number of births it's subjected to, the soul knows no death in any instance, as it is forever immortal. Merely changing from body to body," explained the Lord in a calming voice.
"Alright, even if the souls of the great warriors who seemed to have met their end on the battlefield four years back, themselves do not know an end and are immortal...why did you encourage this killing in the first place, Vasudeva?" questioned Bhima, who till this day struggled emotionally with coming to terms with the brutal reality that he had been the major cause of destruction for the Kuru dynasty on the fields. Where he mercilessly tore apart the limbs of the Kauravas in his vengeance-blinded rage. "Will this not set the wrong example for generations to come? That killing is acceptable?"
The Pandavas watched closely as Madhava walked towards the large open window, stretching the length of the wall. Their heart beats stampeding within their chests, as they awaited the answer of their dearest cousin, whom their souls acknowledged as one that was beyond this material creation. Beyond this world. Beyond time immemorial. The one who was known to be an incarnation of Lord Sri Narayana himself, who had descended to walk upon this Earth during Dwapara yuga.
The cooling winds of the night greedily swept against his face, sending the curly locks of his raven-black hair, cascading away from their intimate closeness against the conch-like neck of Keshava. As the beams of the pearly moonlight filtered upon his profile, seeking the honor of illuminating his enchanting features, a well-known baby koel chirped as it glided in through the darkness of the night and perched itself upon the broad shoulder of its most admired figure. As the ocean of unconditional love for the new member of the room rippling behind the orbs of Mukhunda, shone in the moonlight, the Lord tilted his head and placed a soft peck on the glowing bluish-black feathered head of his amigo. The reflection of Lord Surya Narayana's rays and the gentle breeze of the calming night, played the sole witnesses to the much-awaited reunion of a very special bond once shared on the very soil of Aryavarta years ago.
"yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham
paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge."
(Bhagavad Gita verses 4.7-8)
Translated to: "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I incarnate Myself. In order to deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re-establish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium."
"When adharma mounts and deeds of dharma slacken. When the true definition of dharma becomes lost amongst the self-proclaimed justifications of what it constitutes. When greed and jealousy in the form of miscreant deeds soar to heights that cause the weakening of bonds, trust and righteousness. When the inhabitants of this world forget the true purpose of life. When they forget the true identity of themselves and their fellow companions – the inner soul that is one with God. When they fail to no longer see the Almighty in their surroundings. When unconditional love is tested immorally. When love and compassion are no longer able to thrive in the hearts of all," stated Krishna as he solemnly held the gaze of all present in the room. "Then, the Lord will descend upon the world to re-establish dharma and the true meaning of unconditional love."
Krishna allowed his gaze to run over each of their shaken ones, one after the other, as the impact of Geetacharya's pearls of upadesha registered beyond their minds. Far deeper into the depths of their soul. Into their true selves.
"Narayana is the protector and sustainer of the universe, Brother Bhima. By no means, would he ever promote killing in the hearts of his children. But it is important for one to understand the difference between 'killing' and 'cleansing.'"
"What do you mean, Vasudeva?" questioned Draupadi.
"'Killing' is defined as the act of causing one's or something's death. Whereas 'cleansing' is the act of cleaning something thoroughly. And as I've already mentioned earlier, the soul is eternal and knows no death. It merely changes from one body to another, till its purpose of descending to the world from its eternal home is fulfilled. So that itself rules out the thought of 'killing' to have taken place on the Kurukshetra land four years back. You may then ask as to why the bodies or shells of the warriors had to be killed? And that my cousins, is where the concept of cleansing and its need come into play.
If you looked around you four years back, including the years leading to that particular point in time on the land of Dharmakshetra, you would have seen that adharma was reigning the minds of many kingdoms around the world. In the form of the misinterpreted understandings of what dharma really is. In the sinful activities driven by envy, greed, lust, self-interest, and desire for power. Hence a major cleansing of the world was required to thoroughly clear it of this built up debris of adharma. In order to re-establish the true principle of religion, or better known as dharma, in this world."
"In the name of the Kurukshetra war, which first arose from the desire for the throne of the Kuru dynasty generations ago... to claiming the lives of warriors worldwide four years ago," replied Vasudeva Krishna. The mastermind behind the aim, coordination and fate of the war. The one who had willingly taken the impact of each and every blow rained against each and every warrior on the field of Kurukshetra. All with a calming smile dancing on the corners of his rosy lips, which failed to display the pain felt by the reverberating of each blow of a gada and pierce of a razor-sharp arrow against his heart. The only heart capable of encompassing and loving each and every particle of this widespread universe and beyond. The only heart capable of re-living this pain that he shields his children from, millennium after millennium, as he descends to fulfil his divine purpose in the world.
"Hence in order to deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re-establish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium (Bhagavad Gita, Verse 8)."
To Be Continued...
First of all - Happy Ganesha Chathurthi to all celebrating! I hope Lord Sri Ganesha blesses you all and your families with his divine love and guidance :)
And that was Part XI of Abhimanyu's Diary - Hope you all enjoyed it. Please do share your thoughts and comments on the part as always - I would love to go through them! And please do vote if you feel it's worthy :)
Thanks again to all of you for showering me with your best wishes and support for my decision of balancing this story on the side with my upcoming exam and other commitments. This love really means a lot to me!
Loads of love,
Geitha