"I will not give a needle point of land to the bastards (Pandavas)." Thus spoke Duryodhana in the royal court of Hastinapura when responding to Krishna's peace resolutions. It shows the foolishness and stubbornness generated in a man when one is greedy and evil .
After Sanjaya's visit, the mood among the Pandavas and their supporters were very aggressive. Only Emperor Yudhistira still maintained some calm and peace. He was happy to know that Krishna had arrived as summoned by him.
Emperor Yudhistira met Krishna and updated him on the recent developments about how King Dhritharashtra was not willing to do justice. Emperor Yudhistira wanted to know if there was any other resolution rather than war. Krishna listened to his worries and advised that he is willing to help. Krishna confirmed that He can go to Hastinapura and try to resolve this with peaceful dialogues. Emperor Yuddhistira then also states, "If they do not agree, ask them for five villages. If they give us those 5 villages, we will not fight". In some retellings, Yudhistira is not credited with this idea. It is Krishna who states all this.
The others were not happy with this development but Krishna again reminded that avoiding the war is the best for all. Let's try all the peaceful methods before choosing war.
Draupadi was very unhappy and she met Krishna before he left for Hastinapura. She asks, "Have you forgotten how those Kouravas and their friends had humiliated me? Even if they give us our land, I want a war. My humiliation needs to be avenged". Krishna consoles her, "I am just going to do my duty by speaking to them. If it is destined that a war will happen, then it will happen.". In some retellings it is stated that Krishna confirms to Draupadi that He will go and speak in such a way that peaceful truce will not happen.
News of Krishna coming to Hastinapur is met with great joy by the people and the elders of Hastinapura. King Dhritharashtra commands Vidura to make arrangements for his welcome and stay. The elders here again advise King Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana that "He is coming here as a messenger of peace. Listen carefully to whatever He has to say and think about it. It would be good for all of us if we agree to His resolutions".
Krishna is very well treated on his arrival. King Dhritharashtra extends lot of rich gifts to Him. Then as he states that Krishna can stay at Dushashana's palace, Krishna refuses. Krishna confirms that He will stay with Vidura and moreover, His aunt Kunti too is there. King Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana feels insulted but yet they mask it. Then Duryodhana invites Krishna for a meal. Krishna refuses this as well stating, "I am a messenger of the Pandavas. There might be a war in the future or maybe not. If it does occur, I am on Pandavas' side as Dharma is with them. I cannot accept your hospitality as then it will make me indebted to you. Neither am I so hungry or you my friend that I should be eating with you". Duryodhana considers this as an insult but again masks it.
On this day, Krishna meets Bhishma, Drona and Vidura advising that war is not in the best interests to any of the sides. Krishna requests them to advise King Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana to give back the Pandavas' their rightful land and avoid war.
Krishna meets Kunti. There is a little subtle hint of Krishna knowing Karna's identity provided here. Kunti is worried about the upcoming war. Krishna consoles her, "Don't worry, Aunt Kunti. All your FIVE sons will be safe". Kunti has a slight worry and then quickly masks it. Then she (as strong a woman as she was) instructs Krishna to give the following message to the Pandavas, "If the war is going to happen, then go tell my sons that the reason we queens give birth to warrior sons is come. They need to fight at their best and come out victorious".
Next day in the royal court of Hastinapura, Krishna addresses the court and the King, "This court has great beings like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura. If there is war, all this will be destroyed.It is the responsibility of this court to advise foolish Duryodhana that one's clan cannot be destroyed to support his stupid ambitions. He can make truce with the Pandavas and give them back their rightful land". The elders to tried gently persudae Duryodhana to do what is right.
Duryodhana was seething with anger. He downright refuses to give up his land. This is when Krishna offers him the following proposal, "Give Pandavas 5 villages - Varnavata, Indraprastha, Jayanta, Vrikaprastha and 5th one of your choice". This is when Duryodhana stated the opening words of this post showcasing his unrelenting ego and hatred.
I have read that the 5 villages being asked here has a significance. With Varnavata, Yudhistira wanted the Kauravas to remember the house of lac. With Indraprastha, Yudhistira wants them to remember the injustice of receiveing Khandavaprastha. With Jayanta, Yudhistira wanted them to remember the recreational hall where the game of dice was played. With Vrikaprastha, Yudhistira wants them to remember where Bhima was poisoned as a child. Also, the adjoining forest is where the Pandavas spent the first night of their exile. The fifth village is left for Kauravas to choose and provide. That will make up for the rest of injustices committed against the Pandavas. This is stated to Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana by Vidur.
Listening to Duryodhana's response, Krishna implores the King and the court to sacrifice this foolish prince. Duryodhana warns Krishna that He will be arrested and imprisoned. Krishna dares him to do so if he can. When Duryodhana orders his officers to arrest Krishna, Krishna shows his vishwaroopa (eternal & universal form).
The ordinary mortals in the crowd are blinded by this event. Only Bhishma, Drona and Vidura is able to view this spectacle and feel blessed. In some folklores, it is stated that Dhritharashtra receives his eyesight for these moments due to blessings from Krishna. King Dhritharashtra is filled with ecstacy at this and he quickly requests Krishna to restore his blindness. This sight is enough for him. And yet, he does not do what is right. A very good lesson for all us to show that mere knowing of what is true is not enough. Some among us are blessed and in the correct position to do what is right. And yet, blinded with greed and attachment we act in a ungodly way.
Krishna leaves the court and no one dares touch him.
Speaking about the modern times, you need to do a little research about the 1962 cuban crisis. The way JFK, his brother and his adviser tried all the diplomatic routes to avoid a nuclear war is well documented. The generals and military representative were pushing for war but yet peace was maintained. Who knows how the world would have been if indeed JFK had listened to his generals. Yet, he exhausted all the diplomatic routes to ensure peaceful resolution was found. You can also watch "Thirteen Days" movie starring Kevin Costner which is based on this event. Krishna was unsuccessful in his bid for peace but JFK was able to avoid war. It could very well have been the third world war.
After Sanjaya's visit, the mood among the Pandavas and their supporters were very aggressive. Only Emperor Yudhistira still maintained some calm and peace. He was happy to know that Krishna had arrived as summoned by him.
Emperor Yudhistira met Krishna and updated him on the recent developments about how King Dhritharashtra was not willing to do justice. Emperor Yudhistira wanted to know if there was any other resolution rather than war. Krishna listened to his worries and advised that he is willing to help. Krishna confirmed that He can go to Hastinapura and try to resolve this with peaceful dialogues. Emperor Yuddhistira then also states, "If they do not agree, ask them for five villages. If they give us those 5 villages, we will not fight". In some retellings, Yudhistira is not credited with this idea. It is Krishna who states all this.
The others were not happy with this development but Krishna again reminded that avoiding the war is the best for all. Let's try all the peaceful methods before choosing war.
Draupadi was very unhappy and she met Krishna before he left for Hastinapura. She asks, "Have you forgotten how those Kouravas and their friends had humiliated me? Even if they give us our land, I want a war. My humiliation needs to be avenged". Krishna consoles her, "I am just going to do my duty by speaking to them. If it is destined that a war will happen, then it will happen.". In some retellings it is stated that Krishna confirms to Draupadi that He will go and speak in such a way that peaceful truce will not happen.
News of Krishna coming to Hastinapur is met with great joy by the people and the elders of Hastinapura. King Dhritharashtra commands Vidura to make arrangements for his welcome and stay. The elders here again advise King Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana that "He is coming here as a messenger of peace. Listen carefully to whatever He has to say and think about it. It would be good for all of us if we agree to His resolutions".
Krishna is very well treated on his arrival. King Dhritharashtra extends lot of rich gifts to Him. Then as he states that Krishna can stay at Dushashana's palace, Krishna refuses. Krishna confirms that He will stay with Vidura and moreover, His aunt Kunti too is there. King Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana feels insulted but yet they mask it. Then Duryodhana invites Krishna for a meal. Krishna refuses this as well stating, "I am a messenger of the Pandavas. There might be a war in the future or maybe not. If it does occur, I am on Pandavas' side as Dharma is with them. I cannot accept your hospitality as then it will make me indebted to you. Neither am I so hungry or you my friend that I should be eating with you". Duryodhana considers this as an insult but again masks it.
On this day, Krishna meets Bhishma, Drona and Vidura advising that war is not in the best interests to any of the sides. Krishna requests them to advise King Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana to give back the Pandavas' their rightful land and avoid war.
Krishna meets Kunti. There is a little subtle hint of Krishna knowing Karna's identity provided here. Kunti is worried about the upcoming war. Krishna consoles her, "Don't worry, Aunt Kunti. All your FIVE sons will be safe". Kunti has a slight worry and then quickly masks it. Then she (as strong a woman as she was) instructs Krishna to give the following message to the Pandavas, "If the war is going to happen, then go tell my sons that the reason we queens give birth to warrior sons is come. They need to fight at their best and come out victorious".
Next day in the royal court of Hastinapura, Krishna addresses the court and the King, "This court has great beings like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura. If there is war, all this will be destroyed.It is the responsibility of this court to advise foolish Duryodhana that one's clan cannot be destroyed to support his stupid ambitions. He can make truce with the Pandavas and give them back their rightful land". The elders to tried gently persudae Duryodhana to do what is right.
Duryodhana was seething with anger. He downright refuses to give up his land. This is when Krishna offers him the following proposal, "Give Pandavas 5 villages - Varnavata, Indraprastha, Jayanta, Vrikaprastha and 5th one of your choice". This is when Duryodhana stated the opening words of this post showcasing his unrelenting ego and hatred.
I have read that the 5 villages being asked here has a significance. With Varnavata, Yudhistira wanted the Kauravas to remember the house of lac. With Indraprastha, Yudhistira wants them to remember the injustice of receiveing Khandavaprastha. With Jayanta, Yudhistira wanted them to remember the recreational hall where the game of dice was played. With Vrikaprastha, Yudhistira wants them to remember where Bhima was poisoned as a child. Also, the adjoining forest is where the Pandavas spent the first night of their exile. The fifth village is left for Kauravas to choose and provide. That will make up for the rest of injustices committed against the Pandavas. This is stated to Dhritharashtra and Duryodhana by Vidur.
Listening to Duryodhana's response, Krishna implores the King and the court to sacrifice this foolish prince. Duryodhana warns Krishna that He will be arrested and imprisoned. Krishna dares him to do so if he can. When Duryodhana orders his officers to arrest Krishna, Krishna shows his vishwaroopa (eternal & universal form).
The ordinary mortals in the crowd are blinded by this event. Only Bhishma, Drona and Vidura is able to view this spectacle and feel blessed. In some folklores, it is stated that Dhritharashtra receives his eyesight for these moments due to blessings from Krishna. King Dhritharashtra is filled with ecstacy at this and he quickly requests Krishna to restore his blindness. This sight is enough for him. And yet, he does not do what is right. A very good lesson for all us to show that mere knowing of what is true is not enough. Some among us are blessed and in the correct position to do what is right. And yet, blinded with greed and attachment we act in a ungodly way.
Krishna leaves the court and no one dares touch him.
Speaking about the modern times, you need to do a little research about the 1962 cuban crisis. The way JFK, his brother and his adviser tried all the diplomatic routes to avoid a nuclear war is well documented. The generals and military representative were pushing for war but yet peace was maintained. Who knows how the world would have been if indeed JFK had listened to his generals. Yet, he exhausted all the diplomatic routes to ensure peaceful resolution was found. You can also watch "Thirteen Days" movie starring Kevin Costner which is based on this event. Krishna was unsuccessful in his bid for peace but JFK was able to avoid war. It could very well have been the third world war.
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