Wilfried Huchzermeyer

Studies in the Mahabharata


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      We may compare this with Kṛṣṇa’s words to Arjuna at the moment of his great crisis:

      Again, with a view to your own dharma as well, you should not waver; for, there is nothing higher for a kṣatriya than righteous war.

      But if you do not fight this righteous war, you will forfeit your own dharma and honour and incur sin.

      It is to be observed that in both these cases the argument is not developing on a highest spiritual, but rather on a moral human level. The appeal is to the sense of human honour, uprightness. From a higher spiritual view point it should matter little what the enemies of a disciple think about him, whether it be good or bad. But in the given situation an appeal of this kind may be more effective and is therefore chosen here by Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna respectively.

      The Execution of Kṛṣṇa’s Plans

      Kṛṣṇa’s plan of executing Jarāsaṁdha is carried out by Bhīma who kills the mighty king in a terrible wrestling duel. Kṛṣṇa is present as a non-combatant giving effective psychological support and tactical advice to the Pāṇḍava. This support is actually giving Bhīma the edge over his equal opponent who is finally crushed on the ground. His people do not offer any further resistance.

      The 86 kings are released and urged to attend the great unction of Yudhiṣṭhira. His brothers conquer for him all the surrounding countries so that conditions are ready now for the Royal Consecration. In a gesture of gratitude Yudhiṣṭhira attributes all his success to Kṛṣṇa who has master-minded the strategic move which gave him his new status as unchallenged emperor.

      Śiśupāla’s Intervention

      At this moment Śiśupāla, king of the Cedis, son of Vasudevas sister Śrutaśravā, intervenes angrily and refuses to accept Bhīṣma’s suggestion. In a highly polemic speech he insults Bhīṣma, Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍavas, advancing some comprehensible arguments for denying Kṛṣṇa the honour of the special guest. If the elders of the assembly were to be honoured, Kṛṣṇa’s father Vasudeva would be the right choice. If the best ally of the Pāṇḍavas were to be honoured, Drupada might be the obvious choice. Or if a great teacher, an eminent priest were to be shown respect, Droṇa or Vyāsa should be first considered.

      In the following passage Bhīṣma continues praising Kṛṣṇa who is lauded not only as a great teacher but also the transcendent ruler of the universe:

      So the great Sacrifice ends on a somewhat dramatic note, but it has been successfully accomplished, after Yudhiṣṭhira’s last potential contender has been eliminated by Kṛṣṇa. He soon leaves for Dvārakā admonishing Yudhiṣṭhira to protect well his subjects.

      Nārada had met him in his abode in heaven. Mbhr. 2.11.65

      Mbhr. 2.12.24-25, 28

      Mbhr. 2.12.38-40

      Mbhr. 2.14.9

      Mbhr. 2.15.5

      Mbhr. 2.15.9, 14-16

      Bhagavadgītā, 2-31, 33, 36

      Mbhr. 2.16.9

      Bhagavadgītä