Microsoft Word - Mahabharata by Kamala Subramaniam.doc by Sairam

Author:Sairam
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2010-09-24T04:45:34+00:00

Arjuna cast his eyes on the grand spectacle. He saw the heroes ready for battle, and he saw there all those who were dear to him. They were his grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, dear friends, comrades. He looked again and again at them and all on a sudden he was overcome with infinite compassion for all of them. His voice shook with grief and he said: "Krishna, I feel an awful weakness stealing over me. My mouth has gone dry all on a sudden and I am trembling all over. Krishna, my head is reeling and I feel faint. My limbs refuse to bear me up. My form burns as

if with fever and my Gandiva is slipping from my grasp. I look at all these who are my kinsmen and I feel that I cannot fight with them. Look on all these omens, Krishna. They do not bode any good to anyone. I do not think there is any good in killing my kinsmen. I do not want to win this war. I do not want any kingdoms nor do I want the pleasures of this world. I do not see any use for them. These great heroes all mean so much to me and they are there, ready to fight. I will never kill them: not for lordship of the three worlds. For the passing pleasure of ruling this world why should I kill the sons of Dhritarashtra? They have been greedy; evil; avaricious; covetous. I grant all that.

But the fact remains that they are my cousins and it is a sin to kill one's own kinsmen.

I would rather turn away from the war. It will even be better if I am killed by Duryodhana. I do not want to fight". Arjuna collapsed on the seat of his chariot. He had thrown away his bow and arrows and his heart was laden with grief. His eyes were rilled with tears and his heart with great pity.

Krishna looked at him for a moment and said: "Arjuna, how did this uneasiness steal over you? Can you not realise that the situation is critical?

You have reached a crisis in your life and you allow yourself to be swayed by these feelings. This feeling is anything but noble. It will lead you away from heaven. It will be a blot on your fair name. You are courting ignominy. Throw away this momentary weakness of heart and get up. Do not forget your manliness. Come Arjuna, get ready for the fight".

Arjuna would not be shaken out of his despondency. "How can I aim my arrows at Bheeshma and Drona? Krishna, they have to be worshipped by me and instead, I am trying to kill them. It is not right. Their blood will tinge every enjoyment which I may get in this world later. I cannot do it.

Krishna, you know that I am not a coward. This is not weakness. It is compassion for the enemy. I do not know what I am to do.

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