The Gita: Srimad Bhagwadgita: श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता : Chapter 1:7 – 1:11

प्रथमोSध्यायः… (Continued)

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध् द्विजोत्तम॥

नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान् ब्रवीमि ते ॥७॥

भवान् भीमश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिन्न्जयः ॥

अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥८॥

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः ॥

नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥९॥

अपर्याप्तं तद् अस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्॥

पर्याप्तं त्विदम् एतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम्॥१०॥

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागम् अवस्थिताः॥

भीष्मम् एवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि॥११॥

|| परमपूज्य, प्रातःस्मरणीय पं. श्री मुरलीधर जी मिश्र||

Beloved Souls,

I wish to remind myself that this narration is finding its inspiration and meaning at the lotus feet of my first Guru, my beloved father – Pandit Murli Dhar Mishra. I once again seek his guidance and blessings before I proceed.

I bow down to the divine seated in your heart.. please accept my salutations.

The real strength of a person or  group lies not in the quality and variety of skills possessed by them rather on the pursued ideals, motives, principles and character. Duryodhana is logically right when after having described his side to Dronacharya says “अपर्याप्तं तद् अस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्” which means our army commanded by Bhishma is invincible. He also adds that their (Pandava’s) army, protected by Bhima is easy to conquer. There is nothing wrong in this comparison of his… his side has some of best veterans, masters and most experienced warriors of that time whereas Pandava’s side is of less experienced in fact side of disciples. There can never be a comparison between Bhishma and Bhima.. Bhishma is 1000 times more able, powerful and seasoned warrior than Bhima. Bhishma is capable of slaying 100s of Bhimas in a day but that is not all. Duryodhana is forgetting that his side is already weak for most of the warriors of his side realize that they are standing against truth, that they are siding evil. These valiant warriors, including Bhishma was standing with Duryodhana under some or the other compulsions. Such a side can never be united.. and if at all people gather for unjust such a union loses strength very easily and quickly.

Kaurava’s side is seemingly having too many leaders.. just think officially Bhishma is the commander, Duryodhana takes the lead to explain the sides to yet another leader Dronacharya. And it doesn’t stop here. Duryodhana seems to have a plan as well. He is now commanding that everyone in his army, while occupying their respective positions in the army formation should protect their commander “Bhishma”. Bhishma must be having some plan for the day.. even Dronacharya (who happened to the Guru/Master of Karuavas and Pandavas) whom Duryodhana enlisted the major warriors of both the sides would have had some plan but Duryodhana is receptive or open to the current situation. Out of his anxiety he is dictating his plan and saying “भीष्मम् एवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि” you all need to protect our commander, Bhishma. Duryodhans is hardly realizing that such an aproach and dictum may further weaken his side. His anxiety is obvious because it is ‘his’ kingdom at stake.. If things don’t go well he will lose his kingdom and may be his life as well, he knows but even then such an approach is not justified.

A better Duryodhana would be the one who trusts his Commander’s ability and patience to listen and courage to allow implement the plan laid by his commander. He may still lose the day’s battle but that’s well fought battle… in no case the anxiety of probable loss justifies this immature and casual approach. Even in today’s business world a financer can not assume the position of strategy-head of the business he has funded. He will have to have faith in his leadership. He can not and should not impose his decisions upon them rather must give them free-hand to decide things for themselves.

Another mistake Duryodhana is making here.. he is not giving his opponent a fair and free trial even in his thoughts. He is saying “Pandava’s army is easy to conquer”..  He is probably already visualizing his victory but alas! ‘Law of Attraction’ is not what governs the real world. It is nice to be confident but very dangerous to be over-confident. But mind you! Duryodhana is not confident; he is arrogant at this moment… Many at occasions you may mistake arrogance for confidence. If in your day to day life you wish to assess people.. Keep all your senses open to the present when you are listening to someone.. for you may be listening to his words but more than so his personality speaks. Words, style, tone may deceive.. but his attitude will not! You may see many Duryodhanas around you but don’t curse them. Be considerate and nice to them with the realization of ‘how’ a Duryodhana is born. He is born out of blindness of parents.. if parents don’t turn a blind eye to the words, deeds and emotional state of children they can avert many Mahabharatas.

Enough for today..

– Ach. Agyaatdarshan