Tag: Kurukshetra War

  • God Is Not Above The Cosmic Law Krishna’s Death

    After I finished posting the blog ‘ When Rama Realized he Was Brahman’. I recalled another one from the Puranas.

    This incident explains the law of Karma(Please read my posts on this under Hinduism)

    Lord Krishna spent a long time  on the Earth during the Dwapara Yuga and the Devas were concerned about his absence from the Vaikunta, the Abode of Lord Vishnu.

    They consulted the Great  Dhurvasa Rishi and he consoled them saying the time for Krishna was fast approaching.

    The Devas asked him,

    ‘No body can kill Krishna and we dare not ask him for Dehavyhoam (leaving the Body)

    Dhurvasa smiled and told them to watch.

    After the Mahabharata War was over, the Pandavas and what remained of the Kauravas , along with the Yadavas (Krishna’s Clan) , were sitting together and fooling around the banks of the River Yamuna.

    All of them were drunk.

    Lord Krishna’s son, Sambhavan, playful by nature, dressed himself as a pregnant woman and with his cronies approached a group of Seers(Rishis) and prostrated before them and requested,

    ‘Please Bless Me for Safe delivery’

    The Rishis said,

    ‘We know, you are the son of Lord Krishna, yet, we Bless you with Safe Delivery of a Wooden ladle(உலக்கை ) and your Clan will be destroyed by it’

    உலக்கை,Ulakkai
    உலக்கை,Ulakkai

    When Lord Krishna was told of it, he shrugged and said he could do nothing about it!

    They had a  Wooden ladle delivered after nine months, and to ensure that it was destroyed, they broke it into pieces and immersed it in the river.

    The bottom portion ,made of iron was swallowed by a Shark and it was caught by a Fisherman.

    While seasoning the Fish, the fisherman found the iron piece and sold it to a Hunter.

    The Hunter , his fixed it to the tip of his Arrow.

    After some time, the same group was engaged in a drinking bout at the same place.

    Salliya, the Man who drove and deserted Karna in the Battle field at a crucial juncture was there.

    Salliya was the Father in Law of Karna.

    Lord Krishna.
    Lord Krishna.

    One among the gathering remarked,

    ‘Look,here is a fellow who deserted his king and relative at a critical time, who was on the losing side ,eating and drinking with us, the Victors’

    Salliya retorted saying , ‘A bunch of Herdsman need not talk about a Kshatriya’

    And a Battle of words soon became a full-fledged fight among all.

    They went on attacking each other.

    As they had no Arms,they plucked the ‘கோரைப்புல்’-Nut Grass  around them and attacked each other with the Nut Grass,

    As soon as they plucked them they became the Wooden Ladles and killed those attacked with them.

    Barring Krishna, the Yadava Clan was wiped out.

    (The Immersed wooden pieces , on reaching the shores , grew into Nut Grass and became weapons; that is the reason why Nut Grass is not used in Religious Ceremonies but Kusa Grass is used).

    Some time later when Lord Krishna was roaming the Forests , he became tired and rested under a Tree, lying in a Fetal Position.

    The Hunter saw, what looked like a Deer from a distance’ sent an Arrow.

    It struck Krishna at the Center of His Foot and He lay dying.

    The Hunter , on reaching Krishna begged for Mercy and felt remorse.

    Krishna said to him,

    ” Don’t worry, it is not your fault.

    During Ramavataras Rama,, I killed Vaali, hiding behind a Tree.

    Now I am repaying it.

    I fulfilled my duty of serving Lakshmana who served me as a younger brother during Ramavatar, as Bala rama as my elder brother in this Avatar as Krishna and breathed his last.

    Even God can not escape the Law of Karma, once born!

  • Peace At Be, Kannadasan Beyond The Grave

    We have many treatises in all Religions,Languages on virtue,On what is Good,Bad,and what makes one Happy and contented.

    I am  yet to find some thing which is  simple,appealing to follow  or at least understand.

    ,And the one that makes me interested at least, in attempting to follow.

    These  are theLyrics of one of The Great Lyricists of Tamil Movies,Mr.Kannadasan, a Legend, who could capture the essence of Life in ordinary words  in Tamil which we use every day, from a delectable Tamil Film, Sivaji Starrer ‘Aanadavan Kattalai

    As translations do not seem to be available I have tried to capture the spirit of the message and I can assure you that it is not in any way near to the original, such is my incompetence.

    I am posting this deliberately in English so that people who do not know Tamil may  have a chance to read and enjoy noble thoughts.

    I would like readers of other Indian Languages to forward me Noble and simple thoughts  say like Jana Padagalu in Kannada .

    I am interested in posting that in my way.

    What is the Ultimate aim of man?

    Money,Power,Wealth,Popularity,Fame,Wine, Women?

    It all boils down to one thing.

    It is happiness.

    And I have found that Contentment is the key to happiness.

    I would go as far as to say that Contentment is Happiness.

    In six simple day-to-day Tamil Kannadasan captures the essence.

    This is it.

    Words ,Deed  Thy be One ,

    Peace Forever be Thine,

    Pain, Gain woven betwixt,

    Six,The Ways Hath He set,

    “aaru maname aaru, andha andavan kattalai aaru

    aaru maname aaru, andha andavan kattalai aaru
    s”eirndhu manidhan vazhum vagaiku
    deivathin kattalai aaru
    deivathin kattalai aaru”
    Put it simply,a liar needs good memory.
    You need not think twice before saying some thing ‘have I said this to this person before ?
    Am I contradicting myself??
    Then people evaluate you , not on the basis of what you are capable of or your potential, but what you have done.
    One may have good thoughts, I Believe that every one has.
    The problem is we don’t act on them.
    I recall an instance from The Mahabharata.
    The Mahabharata War was nearing and Indra, father of Arjuna, was worried
    .
    He knew if some one can match and even kill Arjuna , it was Karna who was arrayed against him.
    He consults Lord Krishna.
    In his inimitable style Lord Krishna advises Indra,
     You disguise yourself as a Brahmin and ask Karna his Body Armour( Kavacha and Kundala) that is a part of his body, granted by his Father Surya, The Sun God.
    He will give them to you immediately”
    Indra asks Krishna ‘What if he takes time or consults with others?
    Krishna adds ,
    ‘ Karna will never do that.
    He has a taken a vow that he will give anything which he has, immediately; he is of the conviction that human mind is subject to chang e and that if he delays a minute even, he might not give  to those who seek!
    Hindu Religious texts declare that one has to do Good things the moment he thinks of them and delay the bad ones.
    ………………….. continues..
    Kaviarasu Kannadasan
    Kaviarasu Kannadasan
    Playback: T.M.Soundararajan
    Cast: Sivaji Ganesan, Devika
    Movie: AANDAVAN KATTALAI
    Music: Viswanathan-Ramamurthy . Lyrics: Kannadasan
    Year of Release: 1964
    Standard YouTube License
    • Military Strategy Battle Formations Mahabharata War (ramanan50.wordpress.com)
  • Military Strategy Battle Formations Mahabharata War

    Indian epics abound in detail on military strategies ,tactics and details of Battle formations of the army.

    In preparation of the Mahabharata War, Lord Krishna used all the guile of Military Strategies.

    Some of the Strategies.

    Preventing Vidhura from entering the Battle field.

    Sidelining Karna till the tenth day or the death of Bhishma.

    Allotting his Vrushni Sena to Kauravs and Himself standing by the side of the Pandavas.

    Misguiding on the Full Moon Day for the War Ritual of sacrifice.

    Prevention of Karna from using the Nagastra twice;of making him fight only with Arjuna’of preventing him from using the Brahmastra;

    making Karna part with his Punya pala on the Battle field;disarming his Kavacha and Kundala Armor;preveting him from attacking any of the pandavas other than Arjuna.

    Use of Sikandi against Bhishma.

    Announcement of the death of Aswathama by Yudhistira  to kill Drona.

    Hiding of the Sun by His Sudarshana to draw out Jayathratha.

    There were some of the tactics by Lord Krishna used by Lord Krishna in preparation and during the Mahabharata War at Kurukshetra.

    He was also instrumental in forming the Battle plans.

    Indian Epics used advanced Battle Formations in War.

    The List .

    Carving showing the warrior Abhimanyu entering...
    Carving showing the warrior Abhimanyu entering the chakravyuha – Hoysaleswara temple, Halebidu, India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    1. Krauncha vyuha (heron formation)
    2. Makara vyuha (crocodile formation)
    3. Kurma vyuha (tortoise or turtle formation)
    4. Trishula vyuha (trident formation)
    5. Chakra vyuha (wheel or discus formation)
    6. Kamala vyuha or Padma vyuha (lotus formation)
    7. Garud vyuha (eagle formation)
    8. Oormi vyuha (ocean formation)
    9. Mandala vyuha (galaxy formation)
    10. Vajra vyuha (diamond or thunderbolt formation)
    11. Shakata vyuha (box or cart formation)
    12. Asura vyuha (demon formation)
    13. Deva vyuha (divine formation)
    14. Soochi vyuha (needle formation)
    15. Sringataka vyuha (horned formation)
    16. Chandrakala vyuha (crescent or curved blade formation)
    17. Mala vyuha (garland formation)

    Each formation was met bya counter formation by the other side.

    For instance , the Sarpa Vyuha was met with Garuda Vyuha(Serpent formation against Eagle.

    heron Bird.
    Heron

    The Heron Formation was usually met with Garuda or eagle Formation’Eagle is a Natural Enemy of Heron.

    Note the Swoop of the Garuda, nullifying and swamping the posture of the Heron.

    Eagle Swoop.
    Eagle Swooping

    There were also courses to get into and out of each formation.

    These were fought while being taught the Dhanur Vidya .

    Source;

     

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  • Did Sanjaya See and Report Mahabharata War Live?

    I treat the Mahabharata and the Ramayana as History, not as mere Stories born out of the imaginations of Vyasa and Valmiki.

     

    If people take as History that

     

    Jesus lived and preached, The Old Testament based on a Book compiled by a Conclave of Cardinals assembled by King Constantine afer

     

    three hundred years of the death of Christ,

     

    Ocean parted,

     

    Mohammed ascended to Heaven,guided by an Angel, directed by God to look at the Rules embedded in a rock(as though God can not remember),

     

    I believe the Mahabharata and the Ramayana to be true as

     

    The city of Hastinapur , and Dwaraka are found,

     

    Kurukshetra and other descriptions of the places mentioned are correct on date, especially Kurukshetra is found to be slightly tilted as explained in the Puranas,

     

    The birth date of Rama and his ascension to throne are verified and proved.

     

    As also his travel routes-refer my posts on these and Dwaraka .

     

    Now  I had a nagging doubt whether Sanjaya  reported the Mahabharata war Live to Dhritarashtra or recollected and reported.

     

    The Mahabharata  Bhishma Parva  states

    Its first chapter beings with –‘Narayanam namaskrtya……’, a
    benedictory verse, after which, it begins with a question asked by the king
    Janamejaya to Vaishampayana, as to how the Kauravas, who gathered for the
    battle in Kurukshetra, fought with the kings, who supported Pandavas. While
    giving a reply, the arrangements to stay in the camp with all the facilities were
    arranged by Vaishampayana. The way the Kauravas, Pandavas and Samakas
    made the special rules for the battle is a special feature of this chapter, which
    explores the principles of the battle field. The rules such as, no enmity should
    be observed after the sunset, the existence of mutual love, battle of speech
    should be done only with those who are indulged in it, killing a person, who is
    out of the army is condemned. A foot-soldier, a horse-soldier and an elephantsoldier should fight with their equals only. One should make an enemy alert
    and fight with him alone, who is equal to him in ability, zeal and strength. One
    should not fight with the person who is not unprepared or with a scared person.
    The war is condemned with a person, who is fighting with others, a refugee, a
    person who is out of war and a person with tainted weapons. A charioteer, the
    player of kettle drum, a conch-blower and the supplier of weapons should not
    be attacked. The second chapter begins with the arrival of Vyasa Maharshi.
    He informs the death time of Kauravas. He also conveys Dhrtarashtra that he
    could provide him the ability to see the battle, for which, Dhrtarashtra
    expresses his unwillingness, as he doesn’t want to see the death of his sons.
    After knowing the interest of Dhrtarashtra to listen the details of the battle,
    Sanjaya, the charioteer of Dhrtarashtra was provided with the divine vision by
    Vyasa Maharshi. Many more scary incidents are also depicted.”

    The first sloka of the Bhagavad Gita starts with

    Dharamashetre Kurukshetre…. bu Dhritharashtra asking sanjaya to inform him of what happened in the Bharata Battle.

    Sanjaya replies with the second verse..

    Pasyaithaam pandu puthraanaam…

    Sanjaya , according to mahabharata and all puraanas was granted the Divine vision  to see things from the distance.

    In fact The Bhishma parva states that Sanjaya was endowed with the power of Knowing the past, present and future.

    Then why do I have a doubt?

    Mahabharata War
    Mahabharata War

    The Bhisma parva Section XIV declares

    “Dhritarashtra said,–‘How hath Bhishma, that bull among the Kurus, been slain by Sikhandin? How did my father, who resembled Vasava himself, fall down from his car? What became of my sons, O Sanjaya, when they were deprived of the mighty Bhishma who was like unto a celestial, and who led life of Brahmacharyya for the sake of his father? 2 Upon the fall of that tiger among men who was endued with great wisdom, great capacity for exertion, great might and great energy, how did our warriors feel? Hearing that bull amongst the Kurus, that foremost of men, that unwavering hero is slain, great is the grief that pierceth my heart. While advancing (against the foe), who followed him and who proceeded ahead? Who stayed by his side? Who proceeded with him? What brave combatants followed behind (protecting his rear) that tiger among car-warriors, that wonderful archer, that bull among Kshatriyas, while he penetrated into the divisions of the foe? 1 While seizing the hostile ranks, what warriors opposed that slayer of foes resembling the luminary of thousand rays, who spreading terror among the foe destroyed their ranks like the Sun destroying darkness, and who achieved in battle amongst the ranks of Pandu’s sons feats exceedingly difficult of accomplishment? How, indeed, O Sanjaya, did the Pandavas oppose in battle the son of Santanu, that accomplished and invincible warrior when he approached them smiting? Slaughtering the (hostile) ranks, having arrows for his teeth, and full of energy, with the bow for his wide-open mouth, and with the terrible sword for his tongue, and invincible, a very tiger among men, endued with modesty…..

    Section XV

    ‘Sanjaya said,–“Deserving as thou art, this question is, indeed, worthy of thee, O great king. It behoveth thee not, however, to impute this fault to Duryodhana. The man who incurreth evil as the consequence of his own misconduct, should not attribute that misconduct to others. O great king, the man that doth every kind of injury to other men, deserveth to be slain by all men in consequence of those censurable deeds of his. The Pandavas unacquainted with the ways of wickedness had, for a long time, with their friends and counsellors, looking up to thy face, borne the injuries (done to them) and forgiven them, dwelling in the woods.’

    “Thereafter, in the 13thchapter, the Bhagavadgita parva begins, which is continued till 42nd

    chapter. It begins with Sanjaya, who returns from the battle
    field and conveys the news of Bhishma’s death to Dhrtharashtra. Listening to
    which, Dhrtharashtra, while lamenting, expresses his intention to know about
    the death of Bhishma in detail.’

    This, to me, appears to indicate that the War was not reported Live but by a recollection.

    The whole conversation is as said by Vaisampayana to Janamejaya.

    Will some body clarify?

    Sources.

    http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06015.htm

    http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/mahabharatha/summary/eng/6.pdf

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