Scribbles by Sudhansh

Indian mythology has been a source of enlightenment and a path of liberation to countless humans over centuries. Though highly interpolated by the daily soaps, terribly misunderstood by many and a lot ignored by Indians themselves, it goes on to serve as a written text to be hailed equally by humans and super humans. Anyone who knows a thing or two about the legend of Mahabharata is familiar with mighty Arjuna. A worthy disciple to Drona and Kripa, a loyal friend to Krishna, a doting brother to the Pandavas, a dutiful grandson to Bhishma, a devoted son to Kunti and Madri. And above all a warrior who could make armies perspire with merely a twang of his bow. There still lessons remain untaught that are timeless and will remain long after the age ends.

1. Get off the insecurity and male ego

The Pandavas after they were exiled for twelve years had to spend their thirteenth year in anonymity where if recognised then another exile would begin for twelve years. The other four brothers disguised as Cook, stable boys and advicer in the kingdom of Matsya while Arjuna chose the identity of a eunuch to hide his unavoidable looks. He started serving as a dance teacher to Matsya princess Uttara. Now, if we pause and reflect we may notice that for any Kshatriya prince to remain a eunuch for one year could be a blow to his ego. Even today if a man is seen with even a minute feminine trait, he is mocked and laughed at eventually leading to a clash of egos. That is how Arjuna was different. He was well aware of the fact that he is hailed across the world for the warrior he is and was confident enough that one year of disguise is never going to make him less of a man. Moreover, he goes on to prove that a man is not proven by acting masculine rather by chivalry, humbleness and a confidence to shatter the worst of prejudices. The adversities he faced never made him disrespect the opposite gender. For instance, When the nymph Urvashi tried to seduce him, he respectfully backed off addressing her as a mother to his ancestors eventually leading Urvashi to curse him of impotence. The son of Kunti did not at all lose his chivalry and hailed past her.

2. Don’t ruin your peace of mind over unnecessary competition. Have faith in yourself.

One of the reasons why the characters of Karna and Eklavya are inspiring yet tragic is because they narrowed down their vision to one single goal. Being clear, Karna and Eklavya (apart from Arjuna) were the two greatest archers of Dwaparyuga. Widely known for their sacrifices and talent, they could easily go on to become the greatest but they scratched the wound of their insults to a level that it became a permanent gash. The wound would keep reminding them that they are yet behind Arjuna in archery and fighting prowess leading to the defeats they kept facing despite being his equals. The only goal of their life turned to overshadow Arjuna. As a result, Eklavya ended up getting slayed by Krishna and Karna by Arjuna himself. On the other hand, Arjuna instead of scratching his wounds converted them into wisdom and extracted lessons from them instead of blood. Despite spending nearly half of his youth in forests as a nobody, he had the confidence that he cannot be overshadowed. He believed that he is righteous and thus God would never do him harm. And if he does, then it would only be to make him wiser.

3. Stay righteous and dutiful in every way.

The eldest Kuru, the son of Ganga mighty Bhishma loved all his five and hundred grandsons and was loved by them equally but it was Arjuna who was his favourite, who played with him as a little boy and revered him like no one else. Grandsire Bhishma loved him for the sweet, respectful and disciplined boy he was. He equally loved him for the powerful and invincible warrior he turned out to be. Arjuna, on the other hand would run to hug him and seek his blessings despite how old he had grown. Drona, as a guru to the young princes was so much impressed by the focus, talent and hardwork of the young boy that he taught him the art of calling out and using divine weapons and considered him above every other warrior he had seen in his lifetime. Arjuna too worshipped his Guru as much as he did the divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. But the battle of Kurukshetra was going to be maddening. Drona and Bhishma were compelled to side with the evil and were all set to fight against their loving Arjuna. Arjuna when faced Bhishma in the battle accepted to slay his Grandsire with deceit. He knew that everything is fair when fighting for dharma (righteousness). He aimed his arrows and started shooting his Grandsire. His hands did what was to be done and his eyes were teary. He knew that every arrow that pierced Bhishma’s body was worth a thousand arrows of guilt and self hatred directed towards himself. Bhishma fell on a deathbed like a victim and blessed his grandson while the perpetrator Arjuna himself sat beside him and cried buckets through and through. He would weep bitterly smothering his soul in guilt and still go on to do his karma. No one believed when he watched his Guru Drona get beheaded deceitfully and didn’t complain once. The war ended and Arjuna with his feats went on to teach us not to lose our character, our soul’s purity ; do our karma and stand with truth even when your own loved ones side with evil.

4. Never stop learning and don’t lose yourself when it comes to applying it.

Arjuna since the very beginning was known for his focus coupled with calm and composed mind. He would extract a lesson from everything he witnessed and was never tired or distracted enough to find, seek and learn. Even as a teenage archer, he had shaped his focus with labour in a manner that he could shoot numerous arrows at a single point with his eyes closed. His calmness and discipline had made him so strong that he was not even a bit bothered while facing Gandharvas and Nivatkavachas (who could not be defeated even by the Gods and celestial beings). They threw countless illusions at him amid combat, tried to distract him in numerous ways, exerted intimidating celestial powers at him but the most exalted male being cracked all the illusions and ran through his enemies with ease. In the end, it was pure determination, perseverance, focus and discipline winning over supernatural powers.

5. It’s okay to invoke the beast inside you when it comes to family.

The five and hundred princes of Hastinapur (five Pandavas and hundred Kauravas) were yet to enter teenage when Drona decided to test them. He wanted to know which disciple loved him the most. One afternoon, he was bathing in the Saraswati river when he was attacked by an enormous alligator. The Kauravas got frightened and fled. The Pandavas panicked but stayed to help him out. While the four brothers thought of helping their Guru out, little Arjuna shot the alligator at different points at it’s scary body and chased it away. Drona smiled and blessed Arjuna for his unconditional love and devotion stating that it was merely a test. In the coming years, Arjuna and his elder brother Bhima took the charge whenever the family faced any trouble. As long as the two mighty men were present. There was no one brave enough to destroy or even defeat the Pandavas. During the Kurukshetra war, there was an instance, when Arjuna’s sixteen year old son Abhimanyu was surrounded by the chief warriors of the Kaurava army. The Kauravas knew that Abhimanyu was unstoppable if they keep fighting fairly and justly. Thus they disarmed him with deceit, surrounded him and brutally killed him in Arjuna’s absence. Arjuna who arrived late at night was devastated to see his son in such a gruesome state. Swearing to either kill the main perpetrator Jaydrath before the next sunset or surrender himself to fire, he sharpened the best arrows for the coming day. Jaydrath was guarded with seven large armies each having well known mighty warriors to stop Arjuna from killing him before the sunset. Arjuna on the other hand had an armour of vengeance. As the conch blew, he started the assault and began killing everyone who came on his way. The rage and fury was unmatched and many surrendered even before facing him. He defeated and humiliated the greatest warriors of Kaurava army. Drona, Kripa, Ashwathama, Karna, Dushasan, Duryodhan, Kritvarma, Vikarna, Shakuni and many greats were defeated and brought to knees multiple times. Arjuna in the end shot the fleeing Jaydrath. His head blew off marking an end to what Ved Vyas calls the rage of Shiva himself.

There is an Arjuna within all of us. An Arjuna who possesses unmatched strength, an Arjuna who can wipe out an entire army if he trains himself enough through discipline, focus and sheer will. An Arjuna who weeps bitterly, loves unconditionally and is always humble. An Arjuna who can empower everyone he meets. He can do it all alone but still needs a Krishna.

There is no better chariot than a plan, no skilled charioteer than vision, no worse enemy than temptations and no better motivation than our wounds. We better swear to slay our pessimism, our ego, our insecurities like Arjuna swore to slay Jaydrath, or else? Get slayed by them.