Interpretation

I am not able to decide upon title, Lets begin writing rather than thinking about title,

During my school days, I used to attend Shakha. Shakha is where RSS members meet everyday at morning / evening for exercise & other activities. I was never active member but like to attend shakha for daily exercising.

Every Sunday, we member come together & discuss various current topics.

On particular Sunday, we had discussion (where I was silent listener) which stick to my mind forever. The discussion was about : what comes first, yourself or your country. The person (we will call him = Mr. x) was very good orator & brought the point with some examples.

Mr. x was telling, you should always remember that you come after your country. Your country's pride should be ultimate than your personal glory / value / pride.

Hi cited examples from Mahabharat war (the great Indian epic), where the battle was won by the party who has keep country (here =धर्म) before themselves.

He illustrated further :=

Guruji of all greatest warriors, Drona, had attachment with his Son "Ashwathama". Ashwathama was blessed with infinite life. Even knowing that when Drona heard that "Ashwathama" got killed during the war, he felt heavy grief. He stopped fighting & become anxious. On confirming from Yudhisthir (who never lied ) he broke down & get killed.

On the other side, the Yudhisthir, whose fame for truthfulness, taken the weaker stand & instead of truth he told "Naro va Kunjra va" . = "Ashwathama Killed but whether man or elephant not known".

Karan, the greatest warrior from Kaurav side, was famous for his generosity, any one can fulfilled his wish if he asks to Karan. Karan knew that Indra wants his "Kavach Kundal" so that Arjun can kill him in war. Even though to keep his personal tag of " Greatest Daanvir" he gives away his "Kavach Kundal" & got killed in the war.

War result could have been changed had he not given away the "Kavach Kundal".

On the other side, i.e. of Pandav, which is said to be fighting war for Dharma, the Arjun killed the Karan while he was trying to fix the wheel of his chariot. As per rule of the war at that time, Arjun should not have attack the Karan at that time. But Krishna insisted that don't think about what is good or bad, if you have to win the war, it is the only opportunity to kill Karan, so go ahead.

Another great great Warrior from Kaurav Side, Bhisma, also followed his own wisdom & preferences instead of adhering to war conditions. He has decided not to fight against female & never fought ( he was unmarried). During the war, when it was impossible to stop him, the pandavs & Krishna hatched plan. With Arujna, the Shikhandi (half male - half female) was accompanied in his chariot. When Bhisma saw that Arjun is hiding behind Shikhandi, he stopped fighting with him. Bhisma could have still carry on the march but due to his own beliefs & fundas, stopped the war at his end. Arjuna got the free hand & with rain of arches he killed Bhisma.

The Krishna has promised that he will not participate in war as warrior or take arms in hands during the war. But at one point of time where Arjun was not ready to attack, he broke his promise & lift the wheel of chariot & was about to attack.

Bheem too broke the rules of fighting by hitting Duryodhan at the forbidden places & killed him.

The win was called as the Victory of good over bad.

There were promises broken, rules broken but the ultimate aim was achieved by Pandavs.

Therefore, what lessons we learn from this that put your country before yourself.

I was really amazed by this interpretations. I always thought that Pandavs & Krishna are right & are doing all correct & right things.

Any how, interpretation was not important, important was the lesson.

Khushal

20/06/2008