The Point on the war with Sanjaya and Dhritarashtra

A note before narrating the story: Malati dasi (ACBSP) posted on her Facebook page an image of the Ukrainian flag but made no personal statement about the existential conflict that has been raging for four years. The same goes for any of Prabhupada's disciples or other devotees. They claim it is not their place to comment or provide information about the wars, whether in Ukraine or Palestine. They say their focus is on spiritual interests and that they are non-violent. This seems like nonsense, as the Bhagavad-gita suggests otherwise. The text begins with Sanjaya, who was granted the power of sight by Vyasa, giving a full description of what is happening in both camps on the battlefield. Is that not the case?

As Prabhupada would say, 'Try to understand.' Informing people about what's happening in a war isn't the same as taking part in it. While we understand that we are not the body but a soul with no attachment to the material world, we still must care for the bodies of others and ours. It can't work any other way, unless we want to live like babajis in reclusion. We can't have our cake and eat it too. Preaching Krishna Consciousness means getting involved in the affairs of the world."

PS. I have added on the flag originally posted by Malati the picture of Sanjaya informing Dhritarastra. 

Let us recall that the narration concerning the battle of Kurukshetra — and only the battle — is told by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra.* For by the power of clairvoyance granted to him by Vyasa, Sanjaya was able to describe in detail the unfolding of the events on the battlefield. Thanks to this gift, he could go anywhere without difficulty — even into people’s minds; he could know what they were thinking and desiring. Moreover, he could not be detected, and no harm could befall him.

But Dhritarashtra did not want to hear what would further wound his already suffering heart. He wished, against all odds, against every apocalyptic warning of recent days, to hold on to the belief that sending the Pandavas back to the forest had been the best decision. He preferred to cherish the idea that his sons had won the first round, and that it was a good omen for the future.

Yet he was overcome with remorse after what he had just heard from Sanjaya’s lips, and he said:

"I am glad and reassured that the son of Virata, Shveta, is dead; he will no longer be able to harm my children. What is happening to us is dreadful, it has cost us so many men and animals! But at least we were victorious, and that’s what matters. Still, I never expected this war to feel like some vast game with such unpredictable outcomes. In fact, Gandhari told me — she did not want this war. And besides, the Pandavas and Krishna were sincerely willing to compromise to avoid it. It’s my foolish son who poisoned us all with his devious and unhealthy ideas. I now greatly doubt that my sons will emerge from this fratricidal conflict unscathed."

And Sanjaya replied:

"My Lord, why place the blame on others? Why make your eldest son the scapegoat? When a ship is broken, every wind is adverse. You bear upon your shoulders — indeed, within your very soul and conscience — the greatest share of this political responsibility. You deceive no one: all of this happened with your consent. You always had the choice to quell enmity or to fuel it. It has always depended on you, both in the beginning and at the end.

What is the use of building a dam on a dried-up river? You always asked that truth not be shown to you naked, but at least dressed in a shirt. Yet a time comes when one can no longer turn away from reality or ignore it. Life is not the playground of our imagination, as libertarians and shameless people like to trumpet. If you live on illusions, you will die of disillusionment.

Know this well, my Lord: if you truly desire it, you could stop this war right now — it is not too late. Tomorrow, everyone could return home. Krishna, Vidura, Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya and so many others would be endlessly grateful for that decision. Let your son go to hell! From the moment he was born, Vidura told you to get rid of this monster, but you did not listen. You and the queen chose to follow your own minds.

But the times have changed, my Lord. The Pandavas will no longer allow their path to be dictated. And Bhima is aching to settle his scores with your sons. At this very moment, he is grinding his teeth, waiting to strike them down. But how many times have you been warned of this disaster? Winning a battle is not winning the war. And Dharma is catching up with you — it’s only a matter of days or weeks before Bhima carries out his plan."

Right then, as he sat at the king’s feet, while the king was lost in thought, Sanjaya suddenly transported himself to the enemy camp. Under the royal tent, the great warriors were gathered, consulting and making decisions. Yudhishthira looked troubled and said nothing. Bhima kept pacing back and forth, slamming his fist into the palm of his hand every time he imagined one of his hated cousins. Krishna was also there, as were Arjuna and the twins. The two brothers stood guard at the tent entrance, making sure no one disturbed the meeting or overheard what was being discussed.

But Sanjaya was there. He listened.

It was Yudhishthira who broke the silence first:

“When the great fight, it’s the little ones who suffer. Krishna, did you see the ferocity with which Bhishma fought? What was done to him? I went to see him yesterday and he told me he was blessing us. Is this what he calls a blessing? Did you see how he slaughtered thousands of soldiers without a trace of mercy? I’m warning you — if we don’t find a way to counter this destructive fury, he’ll kill our best men one after another, just as he did with Shveta. No, I believe it would be better to stop this war and spare all these lives — even if it’s a bit late. Arjuna is here, of course, but his heart isn’t fully in it... Only Bhima brings me comfort; he relieves me from the anxiety eating away at me. He almost made Bhishma unable to raise a hand against us. If it weren’t for the gift the gods gave him — that he would die only when he chooses to — my brother would have sent him to the other world. If Arjuna had half his zeal, things would have turned out very differently.

But you, Krishna — you are Yogesvara, the Master of all powers. You could, if you wished, create on the spot a hero capable of stopping Bhishma’s terror. Don’t you see the urgency? Isn’t it time for you to act?"

"Do not worry, my brother," Krishna replied. "And above all, fear nothing. It is normal that circumstances are not always in our favor. You must remember that losses are inevitable in conflicts of this nature. But as long as I am here, and your brothers are by your side, the final victory will be yours. Is it not foretold, according to the oracle, that it is Shikandi who will bring an end to Bhishma? Stop tormenting yourself — everything will fall into place. All will come at the right time." ■

* This is from an article I wrote in French in 2014: Le point, avec Sanjaya et Dhritarastra and translate with the help of an AI. At no time have I received any 'likes' from my fellow Hare Krishna devotees 😥 How come?