Gyaneshwari Geeta-7

Gyaneshwari Geeta-7

17. And the king of Kashi, the great bowman and Sikhandi, the great warrior Dhrishtadyumna and Virata and unvanquished Satyaki,

18. And Drupada and Draupadi’s sons from all sides, O king, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra blew the conches separately.

19. That noise pierced the hearts of Dhritarashtra’s sons, resounding tumultuously throughout the heavens and earth. Many kings who had gathered there, Drupada son of Draupadi, the mighty-armed king of Kashi, Arjuna’s son, invincible Satyaki, prince Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi, as also great kings like Virata and other chief captains blew their conches. Hearing that strident sound both Shesha and the tortoise thought of throwing off the burden of earth they carried. Then all the three worlds began to rock, Meru and Mandara mountains began to reel and the waters of the seas surged upwards to mount Kailasa (151-155). It seemed as if the earth would tumble down, the sky would shake and the stars would come down in a scatter. Then there was a clammer in Satyaloka that the earth was sinking and gods would be without support. The sun stood still in daytime, and as if the dissolution had come, there was weeping and wailing in all the three worlds. Astonished by this, Lord Krishna feared that the world would come to an end and so he put a stop to that strange tumult. By this the world was saved, else its end had arrived, when Krishna and others started blowing their big conches (156-160). Although the noise subsided, but its echo, which still lingered, routed the whole army of the Kauravas. As a lion tears a herd of elephants with ease, so the sound of the conches rent the hearts of the Kauravas. When they heard this sound, they readily lost courage and cautioned one another to remain alert and watchful.

20. The ape-bannered Arjuna saw Dhritarashtra’s sons in battle array, and when the flight of missiles was about to start, he lifted his bow. There the heroic car-warriors, full of valour, who were present, again brought their army units under control. Then they marched forward with such preparation and vehemence that the three worlds became panic-stricken (161-165). The archers there sent such a volley of arrows that they seemed like the uncontrollable clouds of deluge. Arjuna saw them with great satisfaction and cast his glance hurriedly at both the armies. When he saw the Kauravas ready for battle, he lifted his bow with great ease.

21. And he uttered, O King, these words to Krishna, “Please place my chariot, O Krishna, between two armies”, At that time Arjuna said, “O Lord, please take our chariot quickly and place it in the midst of the two armies”,

22. Whilst I behold these men standing eager for battle, and know with whom I have to fight in this business of war,

23. and whilst I survey those who have gathered here with intent to fight and who are keen to please in battle Dhritarashtra’s perverse son (Duryodhana). So that I can see all the warriors who have come here to fight (166-170). For although all warriors have gathered here, I must know with whom I have to fight. These Kauravas are, generally speaking, wicked and itching for fight; they are without valour, but they have a burning desire to fight. They have a zest for fight, but they lack staying power.” Saying this to the king, Sanjaya continued.

24. Krishna, so addressed by Arjuna, O Bharata, placed the best of the chariots between the two armies,

25. In front of Bhishma, Drona and all kings and said, “O Partha, behold these Kurus assembled here.”

26. Arjuna saw there standing, uncles, grand-uncles, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and companions,

27. As also fathers-in-law and friends in both armies. When Arjuna saw all these kinsmen standing there, Listen, O King, When Arjuna spoke thus, Lord Krishna placed the chariot between the two armies, where stood Bhishma, Drona, kinsmen and other kings (171-175). When the chariot came to a halt, Arjuna saw the Kaurava army and was greatly agitated. Then he said, “Lord! these are our teachers, relations and elders,” which astounded Lord Krishna for a moment. Then he said to himself, “Does anyone know what Arjuna has in his mind, but it is something strange.” Being the inner controller of all beings, he certainly knew what was in his mind, but he kept quiet at that time. Arjuna saw there his uncles, grand-uncles, teachers and cousins (176-180). He saw gathered there his relations, friends, sons and others, his well-wishers, fathers-in-law, kinsmen and companions and grandsons. He saw there all those whom he had helped and protected in adverse times; in short, he saw all his kinsmen, old and young, come there to fight.

Om Namah Shivay