On the 16th day of the great war of Mahabharata, something unusual happened. The Pandavas had to fulfill their vows while winning the war with the Kouravas. Arjuna, was whose chauffer was Sri Krishna, was in the center of attack strategy set by Drona and trying to break it. Meanwhile, the elder brother Yudhistara was badly injured and his chariot was pulled off the war scene. He went into his tent for first aid and medication.
On the other side, Arjuna had successfully solved the attack strategy set to him and heard the news of his brother's injuries. Krishna has immediately routed the chariot to Yudhistir's tent. Both Krishna and Arjuna went inside where Yudhistir is applying medication to his injuries. On seeing them coming in, Yudhistir has started abusing Arjuna in his pain and anger. "Where were you when they were attacking me? Are we going to win this war? If you cant even save me, how can you save others? Why do you need the so great bow and arrows, and Krishna as your chariot operator?" said Yudhistir.
Arjuna has immediately took the bow and pointed it to Yudhistir. Krishna stopped Arjuna immediately and asked "what are you trying to do?". Arjuna replied "I took a vow to myself that if someone abuses or criticizes my bow and arrow, I will kill them." Krishna asked "It is your brother. You cannot kill him. Its not right (dharma)." Arjuna said "I cannot keep myself away from actioning the vow I have taken. That is not right(dharma) as well." Krishna said, " Alright then, abusing a noble man on his face is as good as killing him. Abuse your brother and it as equivalent as killing him."
Arjuna told Yudhustir, " YOU (in a singular/disrespectful sense) have no rights to blame me. It is just because of YOU we are into war. If YOU have not gambled with Kouravad, we will not be in this situation. If YOU have agreed to go back to kingdom and wage war after first13 days of exile, we would not ahve faced this situation. It is all because of YOU."
Meanwhile Yudhistir was sobbing. On seeing his elder brother crying like a child, Arjuna could not control himself and started crying.
Meanwhile Yudhistir was sobbing. On seeing his elder brother crying like a child, Arjuna could not control himself and started crying.
Few minutes later, Arjuna took his sword and put it on his own neck. Krishna stopped him again and asked him "What are you doing?". "I am going to kill myself. I made a vow to myself that I would not disrespect any elders and noble men or else, I will kill myself. And here I am, dishonoured my elder brother by calling him with no respect and abused him. I will kill myself." Krishna said ," You are Arjuna and you have a war ahead of you. You have other vows to be fulfilled. You should not get yourself killed now. I will propose an alternative which is as equivalent as killing yourself. Just praise yourself. It is as equivalent as killing yourself." Although Arjuna was not ready, Krishna convinced him to do so. Arjuna praised himself a lot telling all his glory.
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| Source: wikicommons |
Krishna went to Yudhistir to touch his feet and said "Brother-in-Law Yudhister, on behalf of Arjuna, I am sorry for all that has happened. Do not take it to heart and let's go back in the war." Yudhister immediately lifted him up and said ," Oh Krishna, this is not needed. You are our well wisher, a Guru and a guide. It was my mistake to show my agony in first place. We express our sadamd anger with our near and dear, that does not mean we part away from each other. I thank you for teaching us all a lesson."
Arjuna hugged Yudhistir and apologised him. They went back to the battle field to fight a great war which finished on the 18th day.
One story, many things to learn!
