The absolute reality of Dharma is that it evolves with situations; when we start noticing bad effects of our present path of Dharma, we should change it instead of sticking to it with some illogical promises.
The light of the moon is not enough to remove the darkness. The wind is cold and unforgiving. The trees are dead, and the ground is covered in a layer of thick, dark fog. There is a feeling of despair and gloominess in the air. There stand the Pandavas performing the last rituals of the great warrior, son of prince Arjuna and Naag princess Ullupi, Iravan.
Among all these tearful eyes, I see a bright red pair of eyes staring at the burning body. Focusing my sight on that person’s face, I see a furious Krishna just about to lose his patience. It feels like I am standing at the end of the world. My tiny mind is not enough to tell me if I am hallucinating or if I really see Param Yogi Sri Krishna losing his patience. It’s been 8 days since the holy war started, and I have been watching each and every death, even feeling the pain from both sides.
Mahamahim Bhishma has been a death route for the Pandavas for the past six days. In his old age, this furious man stood still in the war field even at night, surviving without a single drop of water and still destroying the enemies like nothing. It feels impossible. About 60% of the Pandavas forces have already been destroyed in just six days. With the sound of the Panchajanya conch, the 9th day of the war starts. Bhishma destroys the Pandava armies.
Arjuna heads to Mahamahim but can’t overcome his affection for his Pitamaha Bhishma. A roaring voice takes control of the warfield. Mahamahim is at his fullest; his anger has taken a sharp turn and become imperious. “All these 6 days were just trials; I can destroy each and every person in your force; you better surrender Yudhisteer, because only and only if the almighty himself comes to help you, you have a slight chance to kill me.”
Krishna, overwhelmed by anger at the apparent inability of Arjuna to kill Bhishma, rushes towards the Kaurava commander. “I can kill you instantly, and for that, I don’t even have to use any weapon.” With this dialogue, Shri Krishna loses his Yogi Swaroop and picks up a wheel from a broken chariot and throws it towards Mahamahim. The particles of dust, the voices of swords, maces, and bows, even the deadly-looking.
The wheel thrown at Mahamahim suddenly stopped. It’s only Krishna and Mahamahim Bhishma in there; unable to understand the reality, Mahamahim stands in shock.
Krishna addresses Bhishma’s pride and explains that he is the reason for this destructive war. Bhishma’s inability to pursue Dharma or even understand its real meaning is a huge obstacle on the path to establishing world peace. When asked about Bhishma’s dharma, a deep voice raised furiously against Krishna. Unable to make Mahamahim realise his mistake, Krishna shows Virat Swaroop and clarifies, “I am the whole universe itself, and every single particle is from meis from me.” [Jai Shri Krishna]
The environment turns extremely calm; even in between thousands of dead bodies and wars, I could feel the presence of peace. Realising the truth, Bhishma prayed to Krishna to take his life, as he was bound by his promise to help the Kauravas. Without any delay, the time starts again, and Arjuna gets in Krishna’s feet, telling him he is absolutely prepared to kill Bhishma now.
Not surprisingly, Mahamahim himself told Arjuna the way to get him killed, and with all these, Krishna again achieved his Yogi Swaroop. As much as I could see, I believe Shri Krishna never actually lost his patience or his Yogi Swaroop; he knows exactly how to behave at any given time, and all this was just an illusion he created to teach Bhishma the real meaning of Dharma. The absolute reality of Dharma is that it evolves with situations; when we start noticing bad effects of our present path of Dharma, we should change it instead of sticking to it with some illogical promises.
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