Who Is Famous?

Yudhisthira Listens to Pitamaha Bhismadeva Discoursing on Dharma

Yudhisthira was very much aggrieved due to the slaughter of many millions of soldiers on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. No greater an authority than Srila Vyasadeva tried to instruct him and finally Lord Krishna personally gave him historical evidence that the king was not to be personally blamed for the disaster. The Bhagavad-gita describes Krishna as the Supersoul in the hearts of all living beings. Can’t the Supersoul convince Yudhisthira from within and perform a superhuman act? Well, Krishna performed an even more superhuman act by NOT allowing Yudhisthira to get convinced, because Krishna wanted that Bhismadeva should get the credit.

Who can convince the Pandava King when he is simply moaning and blaming himself like a madman? The King cried, “I am the most sinful man! Just see my heart, which is full of ignorance! This body, which is ultimately meant for others, has killed many, many phalanxes of men. I have killed many boys, brahmanas, well-wishers, friends, parents, preceptors and brothers. I will not be relieved from the hell that awaits me for all these sins, though I live there for millions of years. There is no sin for a king who kills for the right cause, who is engaged in maintaining his citizens. But this injunction is not applicable to me. I have killed many friends of women, and I have thus caused enmity to such an extent that it is not possible to undo it by material welfare work.”

Finally, Krishna convinced the king to approach Bhismadeva who was lying on a bed of arrows in a corner of the battlefield. And when Bhismadeva instructed the king, he was at last fully satisfied.

More recently, Srila Prabhupada was asked as to why did not Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who preached all over India, not go outside India? In all humility, Srila Prabhupada replied that such is the nature of great personalities, that they wanted a humble soul like him to get the credit.

-      Courtesy: Syamananda Dasa, Back To Godhead, December 2012

***