580. At last Duryodhana did listen to Lord Krishna…..

The great war at Kurukshetra was almost nearing the end all the 99 brothers of Duryodhana were killed. It was the night of the 17^th night of the war. Gandhari never bless Duryodhana to be “Be Victorious” as she always uttered “May you have long life” whenever Duryodhana sought blessings.

On the 17^th night when Duryodhana went to his mother’s chamber she blessed him long life. Gandhari wanted her only surviving son to be alive. She knew that her son had to take on Bhima in the one to one mace fight the next morning and she could feel the ominous vibes that her son stood no chance against Bhima who was beaming with confidence after killing Dussasana. Gandhari asked Duryodhana to appear before her completely naked in the morning after taking bath.    

The all knowing Lord Krishna accosted Duryodhana the next morning when he was on his way to meet his mother naked and asked where he is going completely naked. When Duryodhana explained Lord Krishna about his mothers order, the Lord advices that since he was an adult it is highly inappropriate to appear before his mother in this manner. And further Lord advised Duryodhana to at least cover his genital area.

Duryodhana immediately cover his lower part with a banana leaf and went into his mother’s chamber. Gandhari received him and then she told him that she was going to open her blindfold for the first time since her marriage and look at him for the first time. So saying she removed the blindfold to have a look at her son.

Gandhari had focused all her yogic powers obtained by the severe penance in following her husband and remaining blindfold for years since her husband was devoid of vision. She wished that when her sight fell on the body of Duryodhana it would became strong as iron. To her dismay she saw that the lower part of Duryodhana was covered, the whole body except the covered area was not strong as iron.

Later Gandhari came to know that it was Lord Krishna who had advised her son to cover the lower part of the body. And in the battle between Bhima and Duryodhana on the banks of Lake Dwaipayana, Duryodhana was hit on the thigh by the mace. Though the entire body was strong as iron that groin area was weak and Duryodhana fell dead.    

Was Duryodhana doomed by taking the advice of the Lord? 

If Duryodhana had the attitude of honoring the advice of Lord Krishna it was much better for him if he had agreed to the proposal of the Lord to share the Kingdom with Pandavas. Lord Krishna had advice Duryodhana many times but he was not interested. What made Duryodhana to take the advice of the Lord at the wrong time? Was it not his mindset and the intent which was behind his destiny? Every individual is always inspired by the Lord inside and motivated by the leaders outside, but ultimately it is our aspirations or desires which lead us to destiny. Is there any difference between aspirations and desire? Aspirations are those which do not bind us while desire put us in bondage.   Aspirations take us higher desires pull us down. Aspiration relates with eternal and infinite and desire relies on ephemeral and finite. So it is our desires or aspirations which take us to our destiny.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says “You are what your deep driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”