Guest guest Posted April 7, 2000 Report Share Posted April 7, 2000 "The Pandava army is strong," Duryodhan rallied to a conclusion, "But their strength is limited. Bheem protects them, whereas Grandfather Bhishma protects us. Our strength is unlimited! Prepare for victory! Stand at your strategic points and guard Grandfather Bhishma on all sides!" ( 11 ) The valiant Grandfather then sent forth from his conch a blast that effaced even the roar of a lion. A more fateful conch has not been blown, for it invoked the onset of a war unseen ever after or before on the earth, in the heavens, or in the hells below. Duryodhan's joy swelled in that sound, for in it he heard the final confirmation of his grandfather's support. But in that sound was more than support. There was also an instruction, a bitter instruction. Bhishma's support was surely there, albeit mostly as a shackle thrown upon him by the unforeseen results of an ancient oath. Yet there was something else, something Duryodhan could not hear: Krishna was Vishnu Himself. His universal form, displayed to the entire court of Hastinapur, made this clear to all. Krishna was undoubtedly Vishnu, whose sacred symbol is a conch. Bhishma raised the conch to remind Duryodhan that Vishnu, truth personified, was driving Arjun's chariot and guiding the Pandavas. Duryodhan could not win, for truth conquers all. In frantic clamor to gloss this depressing reality, an outburst of conches, drums, and horns broke with sudden tumultuous uproar through the Kaurav army. ( 12-13 ) --- see www.the-gita.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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