THE MAHABHARATAM: (in 18 Episodes) - PRELUDE to the Bhagavad Geeta : Episode 16 :

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Monday, May 01, 2023. 09:00.

How the Writing Began :

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Episode 16:

Krishna’s Peace Mission :

Duryodhana made a desperate bid at the end to prove that he had discovered the 

Pandavas before the thirteen years were completed, but it was futile; the elders Bhishma 

and Drona confirmed that the Pandavas had remained incognito till the very last day.

The Pandavas then went to Upaplavya where Bhagavan Krishna and Balarama were. 

All of them had a good discussion together, and it was decided to send an emissary to King 

Dhritarashtra. They all agreed that Drupada’s emissary, a Brahmana, would be the right 

person. The message was plain and simple: “Dhritarashtra, the 13 years are over. Give the 

country back to the Pandavas.

The emissary was refused point blank to be given anything. The Pandavas learnt 

bitterly that a quiet enemy can be more dangerous than a noisy one who openly declares his 

stand. Dhritarashtra was always two-faced in his dealings. He was one person without 

Duryodhana, and another when with him. No one could tell where he stood on any matter. 

Dhritarashtra had sent the following message, via the emissary, which appeared conciliatory 

but was filled with greed and hostility:

Dhritarashtra: “Dhritarashtra gives his love to all of you. His sons, he 

admits are very wicked and will not listen to him. But you, Yudhishthira, will 

listen to him. You, being noble, kindly do not ask for your country back.”

It was at this point that Sri Krishna stepped in to negotiate for the Pandavas. They sent a message back to Duryodhana:

Yudhishthira: “We do not want to split the country. We do not want any 

country, although he had offered half of it. We are Kshatriyas. We will do our 

duty to serve one country. Just give five villages for us to live.”

This was indeed a magnanimous compromise from Yudhisthira. He had put the unity 

of the country first. Dhritarashtra said to Duryodhana that it should be accepted. 

However, it was Karna who stepped in with a point-blank refusal:

Karna: “That is out of the question. Give them a little and they will attack 

us from there.”

At last, the Pandavas decided to send Lord Krishna Himself, knowing that He was 

neutral in His stand. Lord Krishna went as a humble messenger. The Kauravas tried to win 

Him over with royal treatment, gifts, etc. Krishna was not interested in these. He said, “I am 

here only as a messenger. I will not accept anything. Show me the house of Vidhura, I will 

stay with him.”

Both Shakuni and Duryodhana took Sri Krishna to Dhritarashtra. Krishna spoke to 

King Dhritarashtra:

Krishna: “You are the person who has the power to guide the nation. 

History will speak for itself. You will be blamed if you make a wrong decision 

now. Give the Pandavas the five villages they are asking for. It is already a huge 

compromise from asking for what is their due, which is the whole country.”

The wicked always say that they have done nothing wrong. It was the same with 

Duryodhana. He would not accept any blame for anything. He was adamant:


Duryodhana: “I will not give them even that land which can be covered by the point of a needle!”

Saying that, Shakuni, Karna, Duhsasana and Duryodhana staged a walk-out. Sri 

Krishna then advised Dhritarashtra:

Krishna: “To avoid the destruction of the entire race, abandon 
Duryodhana, exile him, or imprison him, but do not support him!”

Instead, Duryodhana returned to arrest Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna said, “Arrest Me if 

you can.” He then showed His Vishwa Roopa form. Even the blind Dhritarashtra saw it and 

folded his hands. “Hey Bhagavan, I have seen and it is enough even once. Bhagavan, please 

take away my eyes now.” But Duryodhana and his group were untouched. They could not 

see it. 

It now became clear that Krishna’s Peace Mission had failed. 

There will be WAR!

*****
Next
Episode 17:
The Choice – Krishna or His Army 
To be continued

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