Miscellaneous - Religion   

Righteousness wins

CHENNAI: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says: "Whenever righteousness (dharma) becomes lax, and injustice (adharma) arises, I am born from age to age to protect the good and bring evildoers to destruction and for the secure establishment of dharma". By dharma He meant universal order that is binding on individuals to recognise and conform to the ethical code governing social duty, virtue and righteousness.

The blind king Dhritarashtra had heard the words of Lord Krishna when He expounded the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna through his aide Sanjaya, who had the ability to see and hear everything that happened in the battlefield. Dhritarashtra asked Sanjaya about the likelihood of victory in the impending war. Sanjaya's answer that though he could not say which side would win, he was absolutely sure that the side aligned to dharma would be the sure winner is indicative of the speculative quality of life that makes its essence very interesting, said Sri B. Damodara Dikshitar in a lecture. The old king found this answer disturbing since in his heart of hearts he knew that the Pandavas had never swerved from the path of dharma while the Kauravas had openly deviated from it. The king was also aware that with Lord Krishna, the incarnate Supreme Being, on their side, the Pandavas had the greatest ally with them and nothing could stop their victory.

Both Drona and Bhishma, themselves upholders of dharma and fully aware of the lack of it in Duryodhana, out of loyalty fought reluctantly on his side, giving their best effort at all times.

Bhisma's impeccable military prowess had protected the Kaurava forces from the formidable Pandava attack. Yet he was provoked by Duryodana's words of doubt and so vowed to kill the Pandavas. His valour caused Lord Krishna to almost break His vow of abstaining from taking up arms in the war. The Lord charged at him with His Sudarshan Chakra. Bhishma recalls this with great devotion during his last moments and eulogises Him in a moving hymn.

Virtue is to be practised for virtue's sake and not to be tagged with the desire to gain fruits.

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