Story Five – Arjun’s Dilemma

 Story Five – Arjuna’s Dilemma

Rahul:
" Dada ji, Dada ji,! I’ve remembered both the verses—

Now, please tell me quickly, what happens next

Grandfather: Wow wonderful!
Rahul: Dada ji, I dreamt of war last night."

Grandfather: "But Rahul, the war has not even begun yet."

"If it hasn’t begun, then surely it will today! Today, we shall set the war in motion. So tell me, Grandfather—will the war start today?"

Grandfather: "Come, sit down and listen carefully, then tell me whether the war is about to start."

Rahul: " Dada ji, if not war, at least start the video!"

Rahul: "I’ve turned the video on, Grandfather."

Grandfather:  "Very well, Rahul. Now, as Sanjay explains, the trumpets of battle have begun to sound from both sides. First, on the Kauravas’ side, the Great grandfather Bhishma sounded his conch, and then Krishna and the Pandavas each played their own conch."

Rahul, each of these warriors had his own unique conch, each with a special name."

Rahul:" Dada ji,These conches are like branded company?"

Grandfather: "No, Rahul. They aren’t branded at all; every conch has its own distinct name. For example, Krishna’s conch is called ‘Panchajanya.’ When it sounds, its resonance echoes far and wide—waves in the ocean grow fierce and even the mountains seem to tremble."

Rahul: (Laughing) "Oh, Dada ji, Sometimes you do exaggerate a bit!"

Grandfather: "Ah, Rahul, that’s simply the nature of these mighty conches."

Rahul:" Dada ji, Papa also blow the conch during prayers, Why does he do that? It’s not for war, is it?"

Grandfather:"Indeed, my dear. Blowing the conch during prayers is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that the sweet sound of the conch is dear to the gods and goddesses, and that it helps drive away negative energies."

Rahul: "And what does the blowing of conches signify in war?"

Grandfather: "It signals that the battle will be fought by established rules, Rahul. Along with the conches, drums, cymbals, and bugles resound to alert every warrior that the time for battle has come. It also serves as a warning for the elderly, children, and women to remain indoors."

Rahul: "After the sound of conches, drums, and cymbals, Arjuna must eagerly pick up his bow and join the fight, right? Dada ji,, does his bow have a special name?"

Grandfather: "Yes, indeed, Rahul. Arjuna’s bow is called ‘Gandiva,’ that’s why he is also known as ‘Gandivdhari.’"

Rahul: "These warriors’ weapons are truly divine—almost magical, aren’t they?"

Rahul: "Divine, means "Magical..?"

Grandfather: yes—extra powerful, even more potent than today’s AI technology."

Grandfather: "Then, Arjuna takes up his Gandiva and says to Lord Krishna, ‘O Madhav, please drive my chariot right into the midst of battle so that I may see who all stand with Duryodhana in the Kaurava side.’"

Rahul: "So, Dada ji, does Lord Krishna then lead the chariot?"

Grandfather: "yes Rahul. Lord Krishna, as Arjuna’s charioteer, does exactly that. He positions the chariot in the heart of the battlefield and declares, ‘Arjuna, observe carefully your elders, your teachers, your kin, your brothers, and your friends—perhaps you may not see them again.’"

Grandfather:"And then, as soon as Arjuna casts his gaze around, what happens, Rahul?"

Rahul:"Does he refuse, Dada ji,?"

Grandfather: "Yes, Rahul. Just like a sudden twist in a movie, the scene changes dramatically. The very sight of all those dear to him—people with whom he grew up playing—overwhelms Arjuna. His hands and feet begin to tremble, sweat beads form, his mouth dries up, and he feels dizzy."

Rahul: "So, Dada ji, this means that Arjuna is struck by fear. But Grandfather, these are very powerful figures, and their armies are immense, aren’t they?"

Grandfather: "Arjuna is not afraid of their might or their forces, Rahul. His terror stems from the thought of how he could possibly slay his own grandfather,—the ones who once cradled him, fed him, played with him, and even disciplined him."

Rahul: "Just as you do with me, Grandfather."

Grandfather: "Exactly, Rahul. Arjuna ponders, ‘How can I ever kill my beloved grandfather? Even if he were to strike me, I could never retaliate with an arrow.’ The same agonizing thought haunts him about his teachers, his friends, and his kin—those with whom he spent his childhood. Today, all have become his foes."

Rahul: "Yes, Dada ji, Arjuna is absolutely right. How can one kill his own grandfather or teacher? I would never do such a thing. War is not a game where a loss can simply be shrugged off; once someone dies, there is no resurrection—and killing is the gravest sin, isn’t it, Dada ji,?"

Grandfather: "Precisely, Rahul. And so, Arjuna tells Lord Krishna, ‘My dear friend Krishna, I find it unjust to wage this war. Even if we were to win a kingdom, how can we be content after shedding so much blood, dear Yudhishthira and I? O Madhav, I simply cannot fight this battle.’"

Rahul: "Grandfather, Arjuna is correct —how can he possibly kill his own grandfather or teacher?"

Grandfather: "In this very dilemma, Rahul, Arjuna finds himself trapped. On one hand, there are his relatives, and on the other, the demands of justice and Dharma. This is precisely what the Gita teaches: whether a king must choose justice over his kin."

Grandfather: "Now, imagine, Rahul, if a foreign nation attacked our country and even a colonel in our army refused to fight—would that be right? To retreat at the very moment of battle would be deemed cowardice, wouldn’t it?"

Rahul:  (Gravely) "Yes, Dada ji, that is exactly the dilemma. In the midst of war, Arjuna is hesitant to engage."

Grandfather: "And you know, Rahul, Arjuna doesn’t even allow Lord Krishna to finish speaking. He rattles off one reason after another, listing all the calamities that war would bring: not only would his kin perish, but countless soldiers from both sides would lose their lives; countless children would be orphaned, women would be left widows, and the elderly would lose their young. Everywhere, death would reign. Wealth would vanish, poverty would surge, and with it, crime and lawlessness."

All the progress that society had hoped for would be obliterated—ignorance would spread, sin would increase, and we would all bear the burden of that sin."

Rahul: "Yes, Dada ji,, war brings immense suffering—I’ve seen it in movies as well."

Grandfather: "Exactly, Rahul. Arjuna then tells Lord Krishna that the Pandavas, along with Draupadi, might even retreat to the forest and live as ascetics, for they cannot accept such a heinous sin."

Rahul: "So, Dada ji,, does this mean Arjuna will not fight? He is right—in our earlier conversation you said that the Gita speaks of a battle within oneself, yet now he must battle not himself, but his own kin."

Grandfather: "Indeed, my dear. Arjuna’s dilemma is not about waging war against himself, but about the unbearable thought of fighting against those dear to him—his grandfather, his teacher, his friends, and his kin. These events teach us that sometimes we must fight an inner battle, and at other times, an external one. But we must always be clear whether our actions are driven by selfish desires or by a higher, selfless purpose."

Grandfather: "Now, watch and see what Arjuna decides tomorrow. Until then, rest well, Rahul."

Rahul: (Smiling) "So, dear friends, tomorrow we shall learn whether Arjuna remains resolute or prepares for battle. Until then, good night."

And with that, Rahul heads toward his room, bidding his grandfather a warm good night.