Studies in the Epics and Puranas c12.93

c12.93

During the Bhārata war, Kṛṣṇa helped the Pāṇḍavas in a number of ways. On the first day, when Arjuna was unnerved at the sight of his relatives in the opposite camp and was at a loss to know his duty, Kṛṣṇa preached him the “Song Celestial” which told him what his true work was. It is beyond the scope of the present chapter to say anything about the "Song Celestial". Kṛṣṇa strained every nerve, physically and spiritually, to bring forth victory for the Pāṇḍavas. Kṛṣṇa's efficiency as a charioteer helped Arjuna a good deal. He twice started to attack Bhīṣma, took charge of Bhagadatta's missile which was aimed against Arjuna and expressed a number of times his readiness to kill the enemies himself. Kṛṣṇa received numerous wounds and injuries in the war and sometimes was temporarily overwhelmed. In the matter of killing Bhūriśravā, Droṇa, Karṇa and Duryodhana (among others) Kṛṣṇa may be said to have forced the Pāṇḍavas to play frauds; but these were justifiable under the exigencies of circumstances. Many a time during the war, Kṛṣṇa not only tactfully guided the Pāṇḍavas as to the particular course to be taken, but encouraged and urged them to action as also gave them spiritual advice, consolations, etc. In fact, it was mainly and solely due to the important part played by Kṛṣṇa in the great war that the Pāṇḍavas emerged victorious.