18 days 18 chapters

March 4, 2009

The Battle of Kurukshetra is reputed to have lasted 18 days. Each day Lord

Krishna must have spoken to Arjuna chapter by chapter, guiding him with His

wonderful words of eternal wisdom.Arjuna's awakening did not happen in a

day.Even after awakening,he had to work hard and fight for 18 days along with

the Pandavas, to win the battle against evil Duryodhana.Thus 18 chapters came

into existence.Each chapter leads Arjuna on to continue fighting for truth,

without weakening and falling soft on his enemies.Arjuna must have been sad at

having killed Karna and Bhishma Pitamah, there is no doubt.Only the perfect

souls who understood that spiritual life is eternal,spirit soul is eternal,

could have taken the courage to kill their own kin, who stood against the

pandavas and against goodness.It is not that Karna or Bhishma was any less in

spiritual attainment, it is just that they were held down by their vows to fight

for the kingdom they served. Had the Kauravas not mistreated Pandavas,

Mahabharata would not have happened.

Had not Lord Krishna been merciful to the Pandavas, the evil Duryodhana would

have won.

The most important sacrifice that went in favour of Pandavas, was performed

almost unknowingly by Barbareek, the son of Ghatotkach, and grandson of Bheema.

The full story of Barbareek's sacrifice (sheeshdaan-offering his own head to

Lord krishna) is worth reading, as this is the key event which determined the

final direction of the war against evil.Lord Krishna was pleased with this act

of Barbareek, and after this sacrifice, Barbareek came to be known as Khatu

Shyam, as decreed by the Lord Himself, and a great temple has been dedicated to

him(located in Rajasthan), and he is worshipped as the direct representative of

Lord Krishna.

Please read this story in detail at the site below-

Jai Sri Krishna

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