Krishna's Role In The Mahabharata War

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Krishna's Role In The Mahabharata War

"Krishna told Arjuna, 'Although I have no desire and am not bound by Karma

(action), I undertake work. I have entered this battle and become your

charioteer not because I do not have horses of my own to look after, but

because I have vowed to restore Dharma. Arise Arjuna! For the peace and

prosperity of the world, the clash of arms and the shower of arrows are

inevitable." Sai Baba, Summer Showers in Brindavan-1979, p. 45

Date of The Mahabharata Battle And The Gita Message

"The battle of Mahabharata took place in the year 3141 B.C., when Krishna was 86

years old." Sai Baba, Summer Showers in Brindavan-1979, p. 159

"The Bhagavad Gita contains the sacred lore of the spirit. Krishna gave unto

mankind through Arjuna, the core of the Gita message on the battlefield at

10.30 a.m. on the 'Kaartika Bahula Amaavasya' day. This was the day on which

the great Mahabharata war was commenced." Sai Baba, Summer Showers in

Brindavan-1979, p. 158

Age Of Arjuna And Krisna At The Time Of The Mahabharata War

"At the time of the war, Arjuna was eighty-four year-old and Krishna was

eighty-six, the difference in their ages being only two years." Sai Baba,

Summer Showers in Brindavan-1979, p. 48

Symbolism Of The Wicked Quartet

"In the Mahabharata, Shakuni represents doubt (Anumaana). Kama symbolizes lack

of faith (Avishwaasam). When these two come together, envy (Asuuya) in the fprm

ofDuryodhana emerges. Envy is accompanied by wickedness in the form of

Dushaasana. When the four come together, the fate of the Kauravas is sealed.

The Kauravas represent bad thoughts, bad intentions, and bad attachments.

Krishna clearly foresaw the fate of the Kauravas long before the Kurukshetra

war. He told Arjuna: 'Get up. Be prepared for war. Justice will prevail.

Selfishness will suffer disaster. This is the Dharma of every age." Sai Baba,

SS, 9/93, p. 229

No Escape From The Consequences Of One's Bad Actions

"Over the ages, the wicked have behaved in the manner of the Kauravas and have

met with the fate they deserved. There is no escape for anyone from the

consequences of his actions. Death may come at any time, in any place, in any

form. No one can tell the time or manner of anyone's death. It is preordained.

There is no meaning in analyzing the pros and cons of such happenings. Even the

good devotees sometimes develop doubts and argue over trifles." Sai Baba. SS,

9/93, p. 230

Difference Between The Kauravas And The Pandavas

"The difference between the Kauravas and the Pandavas was this: the Kauravas had

no faith in the Divine and turned away from Krishna. They believed only in

worldly pleasures. The Pandavas had implicit and unwavering faith in Krishna

and did not care for anything else. In the conflict between the Kauravas and

the Pandavas, the Kauravas were utterly destroyed, while the Pandavas were

victorious. The Mahabharata reveals the difference between the Kauravas and the

Pandavas in their attitude toward Krishna and what reliance on Krishna as the

divine means for believers. The Pandavas placed God first, the world next, and

'I' (themselves) last. The Kauravas placed 'I' (self-interest) first, the world

next, and God last. Whoever places God first and foremost is bound to be

successful in life. This was the lesson,

which Sanjay gave to Dhritarashtra at the end of the Bhagavad Gita. Faith in God

is the guarantee of victory." Sai Baba, SS, 9/89, pp. 231 & 232

Doubts About The Krishna Avatar

"While Parikshit was listening to Suka's narration of Krishna's Leelas, many

doubts occurred to him. Shuka resolved all the doubts. 'Parikshit! You are

viewing things from a worldly point of view and missing the truth. No one can

determine the form of the Divine. He can assume any form at any time. But, when

He has to demonstrate the nature of the Divinity to mankind, He has to come in

human form. But man, because of his polluted mind, is unable to recognise the

Divine in human form.'

Even Yashoda, despite many occasions in which Krishna demonstrated his divinity,

continued to regard him as a human child and frequently thanked the Lord for

saving her child from many dangers. But Krishna tried to change her view by the

words he used on different occasions. Once when Yashoda asked Krishna whether it

was true, as alleged by Balarama, that he was in the habit of eating of mud,

Krishna replied: "Mother! Am I a child, or a naughty boy or madcap to eat mud?

People are mad about me. I am here to cure the world of its madness." From

these words Yashoda began to realise that Krishna was no longer an ordinary

child but a manifestation of the Divine." Sai Baba, SS, 10/94, p. 259

There are many subtle truths relating to an incarnation, which cannot be easily

understood. Merely to describe the various sports and exploits of Krishna as a

child is only a pastime. God's ways are infinite and inscrutable. No one can

determine or dictate to God how he should act. He can transform anything in a

moment." Sai Baba, SS, 10/94, p. 259

Prayers To Krishna

Kunti's prayer

"Krishna was leaving Hastinapura for Dwarka. He was bidding farewell to all his

kinsfolk and taking leave ofDharmaraja and others. Everyone silently accepted

his decision. The chariot was ready for Krishna's departure. But the Divine can

change his mind at any moment. After taking leave of all others, he went to

Kunti. Kunti told him: "Krishna! All the troubles we experienced were due to

our delusions. If Dharmaraja had not been lured by the game of dice, would we

have been subject to exile in the forest and all the troubles we went through?

Hence, my children were the root cause of all our troubles. You are always our

protector. During all our troubles I always remembered you. In the world people

remember God only in the times of trouble and not when they are happy.

Therefore, Krishna! As long as I have

the body, give me always difficulties. However, having had with us all these

years, we are deeply distressed to see you part from us. I have no power to

change your mind. I only pray do not forget this aunt of yours." Sai Baba, SS,

10/94, p. 261

Uttara's Prayer To Krishna

"Hearing that Krishna was leaving for Dwaraka, Uttara ran towards Krishna and

fell at his feet.' Lord! Since Abhimanyu' s death, I have been trying hard to

bear the pain that is gnawing at my bosom. There is a fire burning in my womb.

I cannot find the reason. You should not leave for Dwaraka now. You must stay.

You have been protector of my forebearers for many generations. You were the

saviour of the Pandavas. The child in my womb is the only hope of the Pandava

clan. If anything untoward happens to that child, the Pandavas dynasty will be

extinguished. Therefore, you must not leave.'

 

Krishna was immediately moved by Uttara's deep devotion. The journey to Dwaraka

was given up. Krishna made a promise to Uttara. "I will not leave for Dwaraka

till your . child is born," assured Krishna.

At that moment, Dharmaraja and his brothers, Draupadi and Subhadra praised

Uttara's devotion to the Lord. Though young in years, Uttara was pre-eminent in

her devotion. This was because when she was enceinte, Krishna entered her womb

to protect the fetus from Brahma-astra ofAshwathama. She had a vision in a

dream of Krishna entering her womb. From that moment she was ceaselessly

chanting the name of Krishna and seeing Krishna in every person and object.

 

It is clear that the Leelas (sport) of God are inexplicable and infinite. It is

ludicrous to seek the whereabouts of the Divine, who is omnipresent. Uttara was

one who recognised the omnipresence of God. Recognising her supreme devotion,

Krishna was prepared to change his plans. People should realise that God

responds only to deep and genuine devotion. Verbal supplications will not

suffice." Sai Baba, SS, 10/94, p. 261

A Lesson To The Pandavas

"Doubts about God may arise sometimes even among staunch believers. This may be

illustrated from an incident in the Mahabharata. Once, while the Pandavas were

in exile in the forest, Krishna visited them. Krishna was told that the five

brothers used to take turns during night to keep a vigil over the activities of

all evil spirits and demons. One night an evil spirit appeared before the

Pandava brothers and they had great difficulty in fighting it. In view of this,

Dharmaraja, the eldest brother of the Pandavas, tried to dissuade Krishna from

participating in the sentry duty. Krishna, however, insisted on taking his

share. During that period no evil spirit appeared. Then came Arjuna's turn and

Krishna watched the

scene from a distance. To Arjuna's surprise, no evil spirit appeared while

Krishna was there. Krishna then explained to Arjuna that evil spirits were only

a reflection of one's hatred and fear. When one is free from these, no evil

spirit will appear or do any harm. Krishna revealed that the Divine existed

even in the so-called evil spirits and that if one gets rid of evil qualities

within him, the evil spirits can do no harm. One's anger assumes the form of a

demon. If you develop love, everything you confront will have the form of love.

This was the lesson Krishna taught the Pandavas." Sai Baba, SS, 2/98, p. 41

Another Lesson: Dharma Is Bound To Win

"The battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas had gone on for nine days. On

all the nine days, the Pandavas were the losers. Yudhishtra and Arjuna were

dejected. At that time Krishna told them: "Why are you getting so impatient?

Unrighteousness scores some victories in the beginning. Gradually, it declines

and the forces of righteousness, peace and truth gain the upper hand.

Therefore, do not worry. Get up, Dhananjya (Arjuna). Dharma is bound to win."

Sai Baba, SS, 12/93, p. 332