Gita Gyan Part -1

Wars before Ramayan and Mahabharat

I am not considering smaller battles between Vishnu and Hiranyaksh/Hiranyakashipu etc because they were combats and not wars as armies were not involved.

1. Indra - Vritrasur war (Vritrasur took all the water sources hostage and Indra fought him to release the waters) vritrasur could not be killed by any and all the weapons of Devas combined and so at Vishnu's advice Indra received Vajra a weapon made from the bones of Rishi Dadhichi
2. Tarakasur War - these were a series of battles starting with Mahishasur, Shumbh-Nishumbh, Rakta bij killed by Durga /Kali and Tarakasur himself killed by Karthikeya (Shiva- Parvati son) and finally Shiva killed Tripurasur (Taraksur's three sons).
3. Deva - Asur war prior to Amrita Manthan (Deva side was led by Sakra and Asura side by Bali). It was a war lasting for several years till Devas finally gained Amrita and became practically invincible. But Bali did fight back and threw Indra out of heaven and he had to request his mother Aditi to get Vishnu's help. eventually Vishnu took an avatar as Vamana Indra's younger brother to get heaven back from Bali as donation
4. The Dasrajna or war of 10 Kings - we had Trstu - Bharata King Sudas supported by Vashishtha fighting with other 10 vedic tribes supported by Vishwamitra. Sudas won the war with timely help from Indra
5. Kartavirya Arjun - Parshuram war -Par shuram fought alone with Armies of Kartavirya Arjun,then his sons and finally his sympathiser kings. He won.
6. Ravan's war against Devas - Ravan won this led by Meghanad. Eventually Brahma intervened to save Indra.Meghanad became renowned as Indrajit after this.

Timeline for Incarnations of Krishna

Matsya Avatar is timed around the great deluge at the end of ice age, which is when human life moved towards south Asia with land connection between Africa and India getting submerged.

The Varaha, Narsimha and Kurma Avatar are dated around the time when continents were one land mass and human life was concentrated in Africa and what is now south India.

Vamana and Parshuram Avatar is primarily concentrated in what is south and western central India today.

By the time of Rama Avatar civilization has moved northwards and during Rama's reign is when a unified civilization is established in the Indian subcontinent, infact Bharat - Rama's brother establishes the Gandhar kingdom in Afghanistan (Takshila and Peshavar was named after his sons)

The timeline of Avatars till Krishna ends 5000 years ago. avatars till Krishna happened before a civil human society was established in Rome or China . By the time of Krishna Avatar human civilization is spread to Europe and China. Greece and it's ruler Kalayavan is mentioned in Mahabharata as ally of Jarasanda who is killed by krishna.Yavanas (Greeks) and Cinas (China is mentioned as a tribe of barbaric hunters who also participated in Mahabharata war for Kauravas as mercenaries)

Atheist in Vedas

Only instance of atheistic debate is about Rishi Jabali a counsellor of Dasrath using atheistic arguments to convince Rama to return and accept the throne after his father's demise. He had accompanied Bharat to bring Rama back.

He however failed in his efforts as Rama was not convinced.

Who Recited and who wrote Mahabharat.

Mahabharat, Harivansh and Vishnu Puran is by Vyasa (Krishna Dwaipyana)

Bhagvatham is by Suka (Vyasa's son)

Since Mahabharata and puranas was transmitted orally for several generations and then transcribed by brahmins.

The earliest written transcript available today for Vedas from 1st century CE in brahmi script from nepal. For Ramayana it is from 6th century CE found recently though most people prefer the complete unabridged version dated 11th century CE again found from Nepal a 15th century incomplete transcript of Mahabharat in maithili script

All unabridged versions of Mahabharat start with quote that Vyasa composed Mahabharat. The first chapter explains in detail how he composed it initially as a smaller version Jaya and then expanded it. How his disciple Vaishyapayan narrated it for the first time in Arjun's great grandson Janmejaya's Sarpasatra where Vyasa was also present. And that how the present narrator's father lomaharsha heard it there and from him the present narrator Ugrashrava heard it and now was reciting it amongst the largest gathering of sages of that era in Naimisha forest for an event organized by Rishi Saunaka.

Then in the same chapter a Brief summary of the story is narrated with number of chapters, content summary of each chapter and number of verses in it

From there whoever heard it passed it on similar but the first chapter remained the same, explaining the original composition of Mahabharat

So the original foreword and table of contents has remained the same in every transcript obtained so far and hence we know the original composer/author was Vyasa.

Reasons /  Need for Mahabharata

We need to first understand Kshatriya code

What was this Kshatriya Dharma or Kshatriya code

1. Obey the elders, rishis and brahmanas
2. Fulfill an oath taken whatever be the cost
3. Sacrifice what you possess (wealth, kingdom, family, personal interest) if asked for by a brahmana or an elder in a yagya or otherwise
4. Prove your masculinity / valor by fighting a war to gain back whatever has been taken away from you by force as long as it is not due to point 1 2 and 3.

But this was not right. the first and foremost dharma for a kshatriya is to

• Use his might and valor to protect the helpless and innocent and uphold Justice and fairness.

And all other codes have to be abandoned for the sake of this first code

Now let’s return to original questions the reasons/ need for Mahabharata

1. The epic is narrated by Vaishampayan (Vyasa's disciple) to Janmejay (Arjun's great grandson). The first question Janmejay asks is why did the Mahabharat war happen. To which Vaishampayan says Bhumi devi goes to vishnu to seek his help in destroying the kshatriya who had become oppressive and Vishnu obliges her and says I will incarnate on earth as a human and bring about a war that will destroy these kshatriya.
2. When Draupadi emerged out of Drupad's yagya fire a divine voice says she is born to fulfill the purpose of God's and will bring about the destruction of adharmi Kshatriya like Kauravas in due course

Krishna before the war kills several kshatriya himself starting with Kansa and ending with Salwa of Sauba kingdom. (Dantavakra, Narakasur, Shishupal etc) And all the kshatriya kings he himself killed had solid proof in public domain against them as murders, kidnappers rapist plunderer etc.

For other Kshatriya vyasa narrates their crimes before killing them. But what about the rest of the guys starting from Bhishma to Shalya to Drupad himself and others how can they be punished without any evidence of crime

The humiliation of Draupadi at Dyut Sabha was the evidence to show how these kshatriya had become evil.

A Dronachary or yudhishthir and his brothers see glory in keeping quiet while Draupadi is being assaulted in front of them

Duryodhan or Karna see glory in dying on the battlefield to prove their masculinity than giving five villages to save the life of a million soldiers

Another reason Krishna Wanted war to happen

Nature does not tolerate extremes. It does not allow anyone to be too strong or too weak. Mahabharat war was one such course correction involving total annihilation of a group of people who had become so strong that they had upset the balance in society. In Dvapar Yuga Kshatriya had become stronger than what was acceptable on the basis of their weapons . Such that they had started consuming all resources to fight wars. How many digvijaya who has done, how many kingdoms who has defeated who has the strongest weapon of mass destruction. Who will subjugate All kings and be an emperor. All the wealth the two classes of vaishya and shudra were producing were getting consumed in wars.

This continued till it reached a situation that people started looking at death in battle as ultimate glory, they became self destructive

Reference to Ramayan in Mahabharat

The story of Ramayana is recited twice in Mahabharat

Once when Hanuman meets Bhima near Gandhamadan mountain in the last stage of 12 year exile he narrates a brief summary of Ramayana to him

Second after Draupadi is rescued from jayadrath and Yudhishthir is depressed about their condition Rishi Markandeya recited Ramayana to console him. This was a detailed discourse on Ramayana listened to by all Pandavas and Draupadi

(Aforesaid has been compiled from write up by Preeti from Tamil Nadu) 

Choices of Karn

Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya to narrate him the conversation that followed between Krishna and Karna . Sanjaya tells him that the words that Krishna spoke to mighty Karna were both pleasant and in conformity with Dharma. And then he goes On to narrate the conversation between the two.

Krishna at first praises Karna for being knowledgeable about the truth, dharma and the sacred teachings of Vedas. And those who are aware of the dharma and sacred teachings of dharma know that a son born to a maiden is as much a son of hers as a son born to her after marriage. And then he reveals that Karna was born to Kunti before her marriage to Pandu, and thus according to dharma, he then is the son of Pandu.

After revealing the truth about his mother and father, Krishna then tries to tempt Karna with all kinds of favours and comforts and luxuries that he will enjoy if he so chooses to side with Pandavas. Krishna tells him that if he comes with him, he will become the king, the Pandavas will recognize him as the eldest brother, for he was born even before Yudhishthira. All those who have gathered to fight in favour of Pandavas, including the Pandavas and their sons will bow down to him, and also that he will be able to approach Draupadi with her own willingness.

He will have the assistance of the Pandavas, the five sons of Draupadi, the Panchalas, and Chedis, and Krishna himself will instate him as the king and ruler of the earth.

• Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti will only be the heir to the throne and therefore will mount the chariot only afier him.
• Similarly, Bhimasena will hold a white umbrella above his head during his consecration, and
• Arjun will hold his chariot.
• Narula, Sachdeva and the five sons of Draupadi will always be there to take his instructions and act accordingly.

He, Krishna, himself will follow, Karna, if he so chooses to side with the Pandava's camp. He finally asks the mighty warrior to change his side so that he can enjoy the fruits of the kingdom along with his brothers, i.e. Pandavas and then tells him that he should make his decision to let Dravidas, Kuntalas, Andhras, Talachakras, Chuchupas, Venupas follow him. If he decides to side with Pandavas, the bards and minstrels will sing in his praise, and his decision will immensely delight his mother, i.e, Kunti. Therefore, today he must make his choice so that fraternity between him and his Pandavas brothers is established.

Karna replies to Krishna by saying that he is aware that everything that Krishna said was as a well-wisher and someone who wants his well being. He then tells him that he is aware that he is the son of Pandu, and that he was born to Kunti from the Sun, even before she was married to Pandu. But on the instruction of Sun, she abandoned him and did not think about his welfare. But it was out of affection that the Suta Adhiratha took him and gave him to his wife Radha. And it was out of affection for Karna that milk began to flow from her breast, even though she had not begotten him, and she tended to his needs as a child. And for this reason he has always thought of Adhiratha as his father and Radha as his mother, as they think of him as their son. And it was his love for Karna that Adhiratha had Brahmans performed his rites, and got him wives, through whom he (Karna) was able to enjoy the pleasure of having sons and grandsons. And for this reason his heart,

he says, tied to them with great affection, and the riches and wealth of the entire world will not be able to tempt him to do false to them.

He further Says, that Duryodhana gave him refuge when he was shunned and insulted by everyone else. And it was because of him, that he enjoyed his kingdom for thirteen years. And Duryodhana is ready to wage war against his enemies because he thinks that he(Karna) is on his side, and therefore he (Karna) has decided to fight Arjuna in the upcoming battle while being on Duryodhana's side. He adds that it would be wrong for him to betray Duryodhana for fear of death or bondage or for the greed of wealth and kingdom. And if he chooses not to fight with Arjuna and switches side just before the war, it will bring ill fame for both him and Arjuna. Karna then urges Krishna not to reveal the contents of this conversation to anyone, for if Yudhishthira were to know that Karna is the first born son of Kunti, he would never accept the kingdom even if he has won the war and will hand over the kingdom to him(Karna) who will hand it over to Duryodhana.

Krishna never hated Karna. If he would have hated him, then he would have never went to speak to him to stop the war. He knows that Karna went in wrong path only due to the time beings and not by his nature. He always wanted Karna to be with him & his brothers.

Karn was indebted to Duryodhana beyond any hope of ever getting out of that debt. In his self-pity for being a Charioter's son he had accepted something that he could never have repaid.

He failed to understand that for the one who has taken shelter of lord krishna/vishnu he is no longer indebted to the anyone in this material world neither he comes in the jurisdication of material laws/yamraaj.

When krishna taught Bhagvad gita to Arjun he at the end told him:

BG 18.63: Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.

IN THE BATTLEFIELD 

Karna's last words were to Arjun and not Krishna,

He says to Arjun, you are a warrior and you know the dharma of a warrior, you are on the chariot while I am on the ground, be fair, remember Morality and excuse me for a moment while I take out the wheel of the chariot and get back on it .

To which it is Krishna who replies (not Arjun),

So now you are taking of Dharma and rules of fairness. That's how it happens people who have not followed Dharma or have been unfair all their life to others start taking about Dharma and morality when their bad time catches up. They don't remember dharma when they are doing misdeeds,

So Karna where did this dharma and morality go when you provoked Dusshasan to assault draupadi and drag her in the assembly

Where did this dharma and morality go when shakuni a master in dice game was playing with Yudhishtir who was a novice

Where did this dharma and morality go when with your advice Duryodhana poisoned Bhim in his childhood to kill him

Where did this dharma and morality go when you laughed at draupadi in the assembly when she was clad in a single garment and verbally abused her

Where did this dharma and morality go when several warriors surrounded abhimanyu and killed him

Why are you talking of Dharma now when you remained quite then

After this statement by Krishna karna hangs his head in shame and then picks up his bow and arrows and starts shooting at Arjun again

Karna shoots indra's vajrastra (not Shakti which was given by indra - this is vajrastra), which directly hits Arjun in the chest and he faints.

Taking advantage of the situation karna tries to get the wheel out again, but Arjun regains Consciouness and picks up his Gandiva and as Krishna shouts kill him.now, uses Anjalika Astra and beheads Karna

This what happens when karna dies no donation of teeth or Krishna blessings karna or any other fictional story as popularized by t v serials or Shivaji Sawant in Mrityunjay.

As a god Krishna gave Karna an honorable death that is more than a life