685. When we have the Lord on our Side who can be Against us!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/when-we-have-the-lord-on-our-side-who-can-be-against-us

Lord Krishna while giving the sermon in the midst of the battle field to Arjuna says “Yogakshemam Vahamyaham” meaning I shall ensure the safety and well-being of my devotees!

Arjuna has in fact seen and experienced this act by the Lord throughout his life, say in the wax house episode or this particular incident... It so happened that at the time of the great Kurukshetra war when Bhishma was the Commander-in-chief of the Kauravas army and the Pandavas side was having the upper hand at the war, Duryodhana went to Bhishma one evening. He accused him of not retaliating against the Pandavas because of his affection towards them. Bhishma was taken back hearing such an accusation and was angry also. He took out five arrows from his quiver held it near his eye brows and chanted some mantra and declared that he would kill all the five brother tomorrow with it. Duryodhana who was a person of many doubts did not believe Bhishma he asked for those five arrows for safe keeping until tomorrow morning and requested Bhishma to give it to him. Bhishma smiled and give the arrows to Duryodhana. 

Meanwhile Lord Krishna hurried into the camp of Pandavas and reminded Arjuna of the unsatisfied boon that Duryodhana had given him. Arjuna recalled the incident when Pandavas were in exile they spent some time at the Dvaita Vana (Forest of duality). Duryodhana who came to know about it wanted to visit the forest and show off his luxury and prosperity to the Pandavas who were living a life of austerity and thus cause further pain to them and feel happy seeing Pandavas sink in misery.

Duryodhana got a palatial house built on the shores of a lake nearby to display his lavishness to the Pandavas. He did not know that the lake and the surrounding area belonged to a Gandharva King by name Chitrasena. Chitrasena lead by a force attacked Duryodhana, seeing the huge army Karna fled. Duryodhana and his brothers were held captive by the Gandharva. Bhima was very happy but Yudhisthira explained to both Arjuna and Bhima that Duryodhana and his brothers were after all own family member and hence they have to be rescued at any cost.

As requested by Yudhishtira, Bhima and Arjuna fought against the mighty Gandharvas. Looking at the display of warfare techniques by Arjuna and Bhima, the Gandharvas were pleased and agreed to release Duryodhana and his party. After being let out free Duryodhana was in the pangs of shame and did not want to continue living with the life that was saved by Arjuna. He wanted to commit suicide, it was then Karna came from nowhere and advised him not to take extreme step and instead grant Arjuna a boon. Duryodhana granted a boon to which Arjuna replied that he would ask for the boon later when he needed it.

Lord Krishna who knew about this incidence suggested Arjuna to use the boon now and get those five arrows from Duryodhana. When Arjuna came and asked for the five arrows, Duryodhana was shocked, he was a kshatriya and should not go back against his own word. He said, “I will give you the five arrows. First I want to know who told you about the five arrows.” Arjuna smiled and said, “Who else other than my Lord Krishna.”

After handing over the arrows to Arjuna, Duryodhana ran to Bhishma and informed him everything and requested for another set of five arrows. Bhishma laughed and replied, “That is not possible, you stupid fellow. I had aggregated all the merits of my life as a celibate to induce strength to those arrows which would have turned as missiles tomorrow to destroy the five brothers. However, I guess Lord Krishna might have foreseen it and arranged this leela to get those five arrows from you. I cannot replicate those five arrows. You have lost them and I am helpless. O, foolish Duryodhana, When Lord Krishna is standing on their side who can dare go against them.”

When the Lord is on our side there is nothing to worry. Will He help us as He helped Arjuna? Yes, He may not come personally instead will provide distinctive suggestions through intuitions. But one need to have Him on his side…..Does it not make sense to have Him on our side?????