Arjuna's Miraculous Prowess and Sri Krishna's Ultra Cool Poise !
This Essay is directly imported from Mahabharata - Drona Parva.
Arjuna had sworn to kill Jayadhrata, after knowing of the cause of death of Abhimanyu. During the course of 13th day battle, while piercing various vyuhas (battle formations), Arjuna was fighting thrilling battle against Kauravas, led by Acharya Drona.
At the time of mid-day, during the battle, the horses became tired and Sri Krishna & Arjuna both noticed this. Then and there, he requested Arjuna to give the horses some rest and water to thirst.
It is then Arjuna performed a miracle, reserved for the best among archers. He created a lake, right in the middle of the battle-field - which surprisingly was filled with lotus flowers, Rishis and Charanas were seen on the lake shore. Even Rishi Narada came to witness the lake.
Despite this miraculous feat of Arjuna, the thing that caught my attention the most was the description of the ultra coolness of Sri Krishna, in the heat of the battle.
Context
This is Day-13 of the war.
Arjuna had sworn to kill Jayadhrata, after knowing of the cause of death of Abhimanyu. During the course of 13th day battle, while piercing various vyuhas (battle formations), Arjuna was fighting thrilling battle against Kauravas, led by Acharya Drona.
At the time of mid-day, during the battle, the horses became tired and Sri Krishna & Arjuna both noticed this. Then and there, he requested Arjuna to give the horses some rest and water to thirst.
It is then Arjuna performed a miracle, reserved for the best among archers. He created a lake, right in the middle of the battle-field - which surprisingly was filled with lotus flowers, Rishis and Charanas were seen on the lake shore. Even Rishi Narada came to witness the lake.
Despite this miraculous feat of Arjuna, the thing that caught my attention the most was the description of the ultra coolness of Sri Krishna, in the heat of the battle.
Only one, to whom past, present, future - or such compartmentalization of time - is absent - can be free from all anxiety.
The following section is translation of that episode from Mahabharata. The translation is based on Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli's monumental work, but some creative freedom has been exercised to redraft certain sentences and also abridge the narrative.
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Beholding the horses wounded by arrows and filled with immense wrath at the Kauravas Arjuna, addressed Sri Krishna with soft words "Our horses are afflicted with arrows and are tired. There is long way to go, till Jayadratha. What do you think we must do now O Krishna? You are our very eyes and with your grace, we will vanquish our foes in battle. Shall we unyoke the horses and pluck off the arrows, stuck to them O Madhava?!"
Thus addressed by Partha, Kesava replied unto him, "I agree with you O Partha. The horses do need the rest and have to be treated for the wounds "
Arjuna then said, '" I will deal with the whole army, O Kesava! Please do what ought to be done next"
Alighting then from the chariot, Dhananjaya taking up Gandiva, fearlessly stood there like an immovable hill.
Beholding Dhananjaya standing on the ground, and regarding it a good opportunity, the Kshatriyas, desirous of victory and uttering loud shouts, rushed towards him. Soon he was surrounded with a large throng of chariots, all stretching their bows and showering their arrows on him. Filled with wrath, they attacked with diverse kinds of weapons and entirely covered Partha with their arrows like the clouds shrouding the sun. The march of the enemies at Arjuna was like march of angry elephants, rushing towards a lion.
But Arjuna's might was exceedingly great! Filled with rage, he succeeded in resisting those countless warriors. The powerful Partha, baffled his opposition with his divine archery. Very quickly, Partha covered all of them with countless Astras.
While Arjuna was thus engaged in intense battle, Sri Krishna said to him "There is no water here for the horses, O Arjuna! The horses are very thirsty".
Thus addressed by Vasudeva, Arjuna cheerfully said, 'Here it is!' And so saying, he pierced the earth with a weapon and brought forth a miracle.
After his divine Astra was released, Lo! there suddenly appeared an excellent lake from which the horses could drink. On that lake abounded swans and ducks, and was adorned with Chakravakas. It was wide and full of transparent water, and abounded in full-blown lotuses. It teemed with diverse kinds of fish. Fathomless in depth, it was the resort of many a Rishi. Rishi Narada came there to have a look at that lake !
Partha did not stop there. Like celestial architect Tvashtri constructed a small hut with arrows - including beams, pillars, roofs.
Govinda smiling in joy, at Arjuna's brilliant feat, applauded him, 'Excellent, Excellent!'
Beholding that magical sight never seen before, loud uproars of applause were heard there, uttered by the Siddhas and the Charanas and by all the warriors ! (even enemies).
Arjuna had thus, brought forth an alternate dimension of reality, within the battle field which was otherwise soaked in heat, sweat and blood. He then continued to assault the enemies, while standing on the ground.
Meanwhile the Great Tejasvi Sri Krishna, alighted from the car, unyoked the wounded horses and treated them for thier wounds and quenching the thirst.
While intense battle was going-on, Hrishikesa, of eyes like lotus-petals, smiling with the coolest assurance, as if, he was in the midst of an assembly of women (and not armed foes), finished treating the horses and re-yoked them back to the chariot.
The following section is translation of that episode from Mahabharata. The translation is based on Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli's monumental work, but some creative freedom has been exercised to redraft certain sentences and also abridge the narrative.
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THE STORY
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Beholding the horses wounded by arrows and filled with immense wrath at the Kauravas Arjuna, addressed Sri Krishna with soft words "Our horses are afflicted with arrows and are tired. There is long way to go, till Jayadratha. What do you think we must do now O Krishna? You are our very eyes and with your grace, we will vanquish our foes in battle. Shall we unyoke the horses and pluck off the arrows, stuck to them O Madhava?!"
Thus addressed by Partha, Kesava replied unto him, "I agree with you O Partha. The horses do need the rest and have to be treated for the wounds "
Arjuna then said, '" I will deal with the whole army, O Kesava! Please do what ought to be done next"
Alighting then from the chariot, Dhananjaya taking up Gandiva, fearlessly stood there like an immovable hill.
Beholding Dhananjaya standing on the ground, and regarding it a good opportunity, the Kshatriyas, desirous of victory and uttering loud shouts, rushed towards him. Soon he was surrounded with a large throng of chariots, all stretching their bows and showering their arrows on him. Filled with wrath, they attacked with diverse kinds of weapons and entirely covered Partha with their arrows like the clouds shrouding the sun. The march of the enemies at Arjuna was like march of angry elephants, rushing towards a lion.
But Arjuna's might was exceedingly great! Filled with rage, he succeeded in resisting those countless warriors. The powerful Partha, baffled his opposition with his divine archery. Very quickly, Partha covered all of them with countless Astras.
While Arjuna was thus engaged in intense battle, Sri Krishna said to him "There is no water here for the horses, O Arjuna! The horses are very thirsty".
Thus addressed by Vasudeva, Arjuna cheerfully said, 'Here it is!' And so saying, he pierced the earth with a weapon and brought forth a miracle.
After his divine Astra was released, Lo! there suddenly appeared an excellent lake from which the horses could drink. On that lake abounded swans and ducks, and was adorned with Chakravakas. It was wide and full of transparent water, and abounded in full-blown lotuses. It teemed with diverse kinds of fish. Fathomless in depth, it was the resort of many a Rishi. Rishi Narada came there to have a look at that lake !
Partha did not stop there. Like celestial architect Tvashtri constructed a small hut with arrows - including beams, pillars, roofs.
Govinda smiling in joy, at Arjuna's brilliant feat, applauded him, 'Excellent, Excellent!'
Beholding that magical sight never seen before, loud uproars of applause were heard there, uttered by the Siddhas and the Charanas and by all the warriors ! (even enemies).
Arjuna had thus, brought forth an alternate dimension of reality, within the battle field which was otherwise soaked in heat, sweat and blood. He then continued to assault the enemies, while standing on the ground.
Meanwhile the Great Tejasvi Sri Krishna, alighted from the car, unyoked the wounded horses and treated them for thier wounds and quenching the thirst.
While intense battle was going-on, Hrishikesa, of eyes like lotus-petals, smiling with the coolest assurance, as if, he was in the midst of an assembly of women (and not armed foes), finished treating the horses and re-yoked them back to the chariot.
Then, that foremost one Sri Krishna, mounted on that car, along with Arjuna, proceeded with great speed, towards Jayadhratha.
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Key Verse in this whole episode is the description of Sri Krishna by Sri Sanjaya/Sri Vyasa.
QUOTE
Hrishikesa, of eyes like lotus-petals, smiling with the coolest assurance, as if, he was in the midst of an assembly of women (and not armed foes)....
UNQUOTE
This is the very definition of Sthitaprajna, as Sri Krishna himself gave Arjuna earlier in the battle-field - 13 days ago ! The battle, it's consequence, it's heat and intensity, environment, pressure of meeting the Jayadhratha deadline.... All of this had no pressure on Sri Krishna...
Arjuna had asked him (2nd Chapter of Gita).
Arjuna Uvaacha:
Sthitaprajnasya kaa bhaashaa samaadhisthasya keshava;
Sthitadheeh kim prabhaasheta kimaaseeta vrajeta kim.
Arjuna said:
2.54. What, O Krishna, is the description of him who has steady wisdom and is merged in the Superconscious State? How does one of steady wisdom speak? How does he sit? How does he walk?
One of the replies to that question given by Sri Krishna was : -
duhkheshwanudwignamanaah sukheshu vigatasprihah;
veetaraagabhayakrodhah sthitadheer munir uchyate.
2.56. He whose mind is not shaken by adversity, who does not hanker after pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
In Chapter 4 is said : -
yasya sarve samaarambhaah kaamasankalpa varjitaah;
jnaanaagni dagdhakarmaanam tam aahuh panditam budhaah.
4. 19. He whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and (selfish) purposes, and whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge,—him the wise call a sage.
JnAni is never bound, even is he is seemingly acting! Even in battle field he is ever untainted and hence unruffled!
In Chapter 18 : -
Yasya naahankrito bhaavo buddhiryasya na lipyate;
Hatwaapi sa imaam llokaan na hanti na nibadhyate.
18. 17. He who is ever free from the egoistic notion, whose intelligence is not tainted by (good or evil), though he slays these people, he slayeth not, nor is he bound (by the action).
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KEY VERSE for REFLECTION
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Key Verse in this whole episode is the description of Sri Krishna by Sri Sanjaya/Sri Vyasa.QUOTE
Hrishikesa, of eyes like lotus-petals, smiling with the coolest assurance, as if, he was in the midst of an assembly of women (and not armed foes)....
UNQUOTE
This is the very definition of Sthitaprajna, as Sri Krishna himself gave Arjuna earlier in the battle-field - 13 days ago ! The battle, it's consequence, it's heat and intensity, environment, pressure of meeting the Jayadhratha deadline.... All of this had no pressure on Sri Krishna...
Arjuna had asked him (2nd Chapter of Gita).
Arjuna Uvaacha:
Sthitaprajnasya kaa bhaashaa samaadhisthasya keshava;
Sthitadheeh kim prabhaasheta kimaaseeta vrajeta kim.
Arjuna said:
2.54. What, O Krishna, is the description of him who has steady wisdom and is merged in the Superconscious State? How does one of steady wisdom speak? How does he sit? How does he walk?
One of the replies to that question given by Sri Krishna was : -
duhkheshwanudwignamanaah sukheshu vigatasprihah;
veetaraagabhayakrodhah sthitadheer munir uchyate.
2.56. He whose mind is not shaken by adversity, who does not hanker after pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
In Chapter 4 is said : -
yasya sarve samaarambhaah kaamasankalpa varjitaah;
jnaanaagni dagdhakarmaanam tam aahuh panditam budhaah.
4. 19. He whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and (selfish) purposes, and whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge,—him the wise call a sage.
JnAni is never bound, even is he is seemingly acting! Even in battle field he is ever untainted and hence unruffled!
In Chapter 18 : -
Yasya naahankrito bhaavo buddhiryasya na lipyate;
Hatwaapi sa imaam llokaan na hanti na nibadhyate.
18. 17. He who is ever free from the egoistic notion, whose intelligence is not tainted by (good or evil), though he slays these people, he slayeth not, nor is he bound (by the action).
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