Kurus: Our Contemporaries - Dr. Kavita A Sharma

Part II

The Battle of Kurukshetra

The world of Mahabharata, however, is not one of debate and discussion. It is essentially a world of action and the epic has to contend with how these principles work themselves out in that world because that is the world which we have to inhabit and work in. It is the application of these principles in the real world that is of relevance to us. As the two armies stand arrayed in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna the man of actions falters:

"Beholding these kingsmen, O Krishna, assembled together and eager for the fight, my limbs become languid and my mouth becomes dry. My body trembles and my hair stand on end. Gandiva slips from my hand, and my skin burns. I am unable to stand (any longer); my mind seems to wander. I behold adverse omens, too, O Kesava. I do not desire victory, O Krishna, not sovereignty, nor pleasures. Of what use would sovereignty be to us, O Govinda, or enjoyments, or even life, since they for whose sake sovereignty, enjoyments and pleasures are desired by us, are here arranged for battle ready to give up life and wealth, viz., preceptors, sires, sons and grandsires, maternal uncles, father-in-laws, grandsons, brother-in-laws and kinsmen. I wish not so slay these though they slay me, O slayer of Madhu, even for the sake of the sovereignty of the three worlds, what then for the sake of (this) earth? What gratification can be ours, O Janardana, by slaying the Dhartarashtras? Even if they be regarded as foes, sin will overtake us if we slay them. Therefore, it behoveth us not to slay the sons of Dhritrashtra who are our own kinsmen. How, O Madhava, can we be happy by killing our own kinsmen? Even if these, with judgments, perverted by avarice, do not see the evil that ariseth from the extermination of a race, and the sin of internecine quarrels, why should not we , O Janardana, who see the evils of the extermination of a race, learn to abstain from that sin?"17

(to be continued in May, 2006 issue)

Footnotes

17. Mahabharata, "Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva," Section XXV, Vol. V, p.52.

© "The Awakening Ray" (Nov./Dec. 2002) published by The Gnostic Centre, H-401, Som Vihar Apartments, Sangam Marg, New Delhi 110 022. Website: www.gnosticcentre.com. Part I of this article apeared in Splendour, March 2006 issue. Reprinted with permission.

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