We will see few incidents which shall make us realize the true virtues of Krishna, Pandavas, and their family members. We shall move step wise, in few segments.
Part 1
After the war reached it near end, on the eighteenth day, Sri Krishna and Arjuna were riding on the chariot. Suddenly, Krishna asked Arjuna to jump out of the chariot. Krishna leaped out as well. As they leaped out, the chariot collided with an obstacle and burnt into ashes. Seeing the sight, Arjuna asked Krishna about the cause. He said that before the war, they had invited Hanuman Ji to unfurl the bubble of the Divine Name across the chariot, for protection. Hanuman Ji agreed to adorn the chariot, but he wanted Sri Krishna to perform Satsang (Divine Discussion) with Him. Before coming, Hanuman Ji had said that as He had narrated the entire Bhaagwat to Him, in His incarnation as Rama, He wished for another discourse to be organized. Sri Krishna agreed. As Hanuman Ji occupied the apex of the Victory flag, Krishna Ji enunciated the Gita.
These generate two conclusions.
- In Tulsikrita Hanuman Chalisa, a phrase said, ‘haath bajra aur dhwaja biraje’– This means that the chariot was under the Divine protection of Hanuman Ji, as He occupied the apex of the flag.
For detail, https://divineselflessservice.wordpress.com/2021/03/12/shree-hanuman-chalisa/ - The narration of Gita was performed for Hanuman Ji, Arjuna was merely a puppet to be posed on the stage.
Part 2
It is said that Ashwatthama, Son of Guru Dronacharya, killed the five sons of Draupadi (wife of the Pandavas, sakhaa-friend of Sri Krishna, Incarnation of Mother). The sons were asleep when they were killed. Draupadi was bit upset. Krishna consoled Her. She said that she was not disturbed by the death of her sons, but they could not remember Krishna, when they died. Krishna said that they had remembered Him, before going to bed, thus they united with Him.
Conclusion-
- Whenever we go to bed, we should ask for forgiveness and forgive and forget the trespassers as well, for we are free, when the death approaches us.
Part 3
After the war, Ashwatthama was alive. Pandavas were with a view that he should be killed, as he had killed the five, through treachery. Krishna said that Draupadi should declare the fate, as she had incurred the loss. Draupadi said that since Ashwatthama was the son of the Guru, and killing the son of Guru is against the norms of respect. She asked to leave him, and forgive his deeds. All the Pandavas and even Krishna were amazed listening the reply. Draupadi said that forgiveness could be the best Gurudakshina to the Guru. Ashwatthama bowed his head in shame and was forced to live with a tag of treachery.
Conclusion-
- Forgiveness is the best asset we can give.
- The incident of cheerharan, before the war, was nullified by the grace of Sri Krishna. That grace was a fruit to the help she had rendered to Sri Krishna, tearing a fragment of her sari.
Part 4
After the war, all the Pandavas and Sri Krishna went to Hastinapur to visit Dhritrashtra and Mother Gandhari. When Dhritrashtra came to know about the death of Duryodhana, he asked the name of the person who had killed him. They told that Bheema had killed him. Dhritrashtra wished to embrace Bheema. But, they were aware about the majestic strength of Dhritrashtra. A statue of steel of Bheema was ordered and was placed before Dhritrashtra. When he embraced it, the statue crumbled into pieces.
Conclusion-
- Though Dhritrashtra was blind, but his strengths were impenetrable.
Part 5
Mother Gandhari was distressed, as she had lost her lineage. She told Krishna that He could have stopped the war, from proceeding. He said that He did His best to cease it. Gandhari doubted his attempts. Krishna said that He had tried more than she could extend her imagination. He said that He had exposed His opulent form to all the Kauravas, and Duryodhana saw that, but his stubborn attempts destroyed the lineage. Mother Gandhari was not satisfied with the response. She recollected that when she had asked Duryodhana to visit her before the day of wrestling with Bheema, in the manner when he was born, he was deceived. When he was about to meet Gandhari, naked, Krishna hushed and told him that it was against the rules of courtesy. Duryodhana had covered his pubic region with leaves. When Mother Gandhari opened the eye mask, to emit the energy to strengthen her son, he gained power but a region was weakened. During wrestling, Krishna indicated Bheema to strike his lower region (it is against the norms of wresting to hit in lower regions) and thus was killed.
Remembering the treachery done by Krishna, she cursed Krishna. She said that He would lose His lineage, before He returned to Golok. Krishna bowed before her and accepted the curse, as given. Pandavas were amazed seeing the response of Krishna. Arjuna asked Krishna the reason of the calm reply. Krishna said that the Yaduvanshis would leave their physical abode seeing Him, and would merge with Him. Their karmas would not force them to return back as mortals, to nullify the actions.
Conclusion-
- Optimistic approach in all aspects of Life
Part 6
Duryodhana was not to be blamed for his obstinate behavior. Dhritrashtra was blind, Gandhari practiced penance for controlling her senses; they had wild aspirations to see their children ruling the kingdom with valor. The grave wishes of the parents forced the children to doom to death.
Conclusion-
- We should learn not to inculcate aspirations in children. Aspirations succumb them to negativities.
Part 7
Dhritrashtra was blind as his mother was scared and had closed her eyes, while she received the blessings of VedVyasa Ji. Pandu was weak as her mother trembled while receiving the boon. Vidhur was wise and healthy as her mother, though a slave, was ready to receive the boon, as rendered.
Conclusion-
- The receiving end needs to be strengthened.
Part 8
After the war, millions of widows were left homeless, and were left as bonkers. When Yudhistir was coronated as the king, he made an asylum where the widows were sent to live a peaceful life ahead. Mother Kunti was also there. Our women were deeply stricken by grief. They were unable to cope up with the sorrow. One day, Sahdev, the youngest among the Pandavas, wished to meet his mother, in deep urgency, as restlessness had creeped into in his heart. The Pandavas decided to go together. They saw the grief of the females residing there, and were left dumbfounded. Even, VedVyasa Ji was also with them. He tried to console them, and said that their kins were martyred, and were peaceful in the higher strata of heavens. They felt that it was easy for the sage to enunciate the words of sympathy, but it was cumbersome for them to bear the loss. VedVyasa Ji entered the Ganga, and prayed to Sri Krishna, for he might allow the martyred souls to descend on the earth, and convince their mortal kins about their wellbeing in heavens. And, as his prayer ended, the souls emerged from the waters. They met their kins and explained about their fate in heavens. The kins were convinced. Then, as the dusk hit the sky, VedVyasa Ji asked the souls to return to their abode. He even asked their mortal kins to go with them, for they could also attain the heavens, if they left with their martyred kins, that moment. And, the relatives left and entered the waters, and attained the heavens.
Thus, VedVyasa Ji, the incarnation of Krishna even freed the kins of the martyred.
- Our sanskaras are very important.
