Arjuna’s Devotion to Krishna
The Visit to Krishna
When Sri Krishna was having his siesta, both Duryodhana and Arjuna came to his place. Duryodhana arrived a few minutes earlier and, full of pride, stood beside Sri Krishna’s head. Arjuna, full of humility and modesty, stood beside Sri Krishna’s feet.
Krishna Wakes Up
After a while, Sri Krishna woke up and his eyes fell on Arjuna first. When he turned around, he saw Duryodhana. Curious about their presence, he asked why they had come at that hour. Arjuna said, “Now you know that the battle will take place. I need you.”
Duryodhana, asserting his precedence, said, “I have also come here to take help from you, and I arrived before him, so you have to fulfill my desire first.” Sri Krishna said, “It is true that you came before Arjuna, but I saw him first, and he will be given the first choice. Besides, he is younger than you. So he will have the first choice.”
Arjuna’s Choice
Arjuna joyfully declared, “I want you!”
Duryodhana thought: What a foolish choice Arjuna made. He wants Krishna alone.
Sri Krishna explained, “You want me? But I will not fight. I will only be your charioteer. One of you will have me alone, and the other will have my vast army.”
Duryodhana, seeing no value in an unarmed Krishna, eagerly chose the army. Arjuna, understanding the true value of Krishna’s presence, said to himself, “What shall I do with his army? The best thing is to have the Lord with me. The Lord will be able to protect me and bring me victory.” Arjuna chose Sri Krishna, while Duryodhana chose the entire army of Sri Krishna.
Krishna’s Promise
Now, the promise was that Sri Krishna would never fight. Unfortunately, he had to break his promise; he could not keep it. Twice he ran out of the chariot to kill Bhishma. On the third and ninth days of the battle, Sri Krishna found that Arjuna was not fighting properly against his grandsire. Arjuna found it extremely difficult to use weapons against Bhishma.
Sri Krishna said, “Arjuna, you are not fighting. Why?” He then came out of the chariot with his discus, ready to kill Bhishma. And what was Bhishma’s reaction? Bhishma’s joy knew no bounds. He said, “Come, O my Lord, come! If I die in your hands, then immediately I will go to heaven! I am the most blessed person because you are coming to kill me!”
But both times, Arjuna followed Sri Krishna and said, “No, you have to keep your promise. I won’t let you fight. I shall fight. I won’t allow you to break your word. You come, sit in the chariot, and drive me on. I shall fight.”
Moral of the Story
Here we learn that the Guru, the Master, can at any moment break his own promise to help, save, or win a victory for the disciple. Sri Krishna was omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and just. But when the question concerns a most intimate disciple, the Guru goes beyond the ordinary light of morality. This was Sri Krishna’s heart for Arjuna.
Victory is There, Where Dharma Is!
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
PS: I humbly request all devotees to please forward and share these moral/instructive stories so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees
