Which Option Would You Choose?
Of Ancient Wisdom, and Choices.
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The inevitable war was declared, despite every effort made by Krishna1 who was related to both sides.
As an emissary of the five righteous brothers, he undertook a difficult mission of preventing war, advocating for peace, and representing them before the elders in Court as shared in this story.
Krishna proposed that, in the interest of peace, he was willing to accept just five villages for the five brothers instead of the vast kingdom that rightfully belonged to them. The brothers were heirs to their father’s throne, which was left in the guardianship of Prince Duryo’s father, their paternal uncle.
Prince Duryo, their cousin and de facto spokesperson for his father, the guardian King, laughed and retorted, "Five villages? I am not prepared to give them the space of 5 pinheads."
So, war was declared.
Both sides sent emissaries to every king, regional ruler, and powerful sage, man, and woman across the land, to quickly enlist support for their respective sides.
Some in the Court, and Royal family, aligned out of a sense of duty to the throne, despite their dislike of the Prince. They reasoned that they owed allegiance to the kingdom, not the individual.
Others, like Prince Duryo’s maternal uncle and his army, automatically aligned with the Prince.
The maternal uncle was cunning and clever, an unfortunate combination. He was, in fact, the main instigator and influence on the prince since childhood. His story is for another day.
Now, as a calculated move, he asked Prince Duryo to rush to Krishna's Palace and seek his support for the war.
Duryo hesitated. After all, wasn’t Arjuna, Krishna’s friend?
The uncle overturned this objection by pointing out that Krishna had a duty to both sides since Krishna was related to both, and he had yet to declare support for either side.
Buoyed by his uncle’s optimism and rationale, Prince Duryo hurriedly went to Krishna’s Palace, afraid Arjuna may beat him to it.
To his joy, he discovered he was the first to arrive, and that Krishna was resting. He could enter and wait in the same room - a privilege afforded to family.
He entered Krishna’s room and found Krishna sleeping peacefully on his bed.
Krishna was lying on his back, with his right hand adorned with jewels and rings lightly resting over his stomach, while the other, similarly adorned, lay by his side.
A long golden chain made of individual small golden globes adorned his neck, standing apart atop his other golden chains. It seemed he had fallen asleep by chance, as his crown was still atop his head, and his golden flute had rolled out of his left hand, resting on the bed near his open palm.
Not wanting to disturb Krishna, the prince decided to wait. But where should he take his seat? Against the exquisitely carved back of the sofa? By the edge of the bed where his feet lay? But that would imply he was beneath Krishna, or worse, akin to Krishna’s servant, which was anathema to his ego.
So, after a few hesitant and indecisive moments, calculating the best place for his pride, ego, and self-respect, he finally chose to sit by Krishna’s pillow where his head rested.
A few minutes later, Arjuna arrived at Krishna’s palace on the same mission. He inquired from Krishna’s staff and received the same information, along with permission to enter Krishna’s room.
Entering it, he stiffened at the sight of his hateful cousin, who was the cause of so much suffering for his brothers and responsible for humiliating his wife in public.
But his code of honor forbade him to say anything. Ignoring the evil prince, and without any assessment or hesitation, he went straight to the space near Krishna’s feet, sat down, and waited.
The minutes ticked by, and the silence in the room was a sufficient harbinger of the destiny that would unravel on the battlefield.
Krishna stirred ever so slightly as he slowly rose from his restful nap. Opening his eyes, he first spotted Arjuna straight ahead of him by his feet. "Partha2, When did you come? Why did you not awaken me?" He spoke with some pleasure at seeing his dear friend.
Arjuna stood up and bowed as Krishna arose to assume a seated position. Krishna turned and then noticed Prince Duryo seated by his headboard, also waiting.
“My dear Duryo,” he exclaimed, “What have I done to deserve this honor?” His eyes twinkled.
The Knower of all things wanted to be told, in person, the reason behind their solicitude.
Prince Duryo stiffened at the playful tone of Krishna’s voice and said, “Krishna, I came to pay my respects to you. Is that wrong?”
“Not at all, I welcome your visit,” Krishna humored him.
Then, he turned to Arjuna and asked him the purpose of his surprise visit.
But before Arjuna could answer, afraid to lose, Prince Duryo spoke up urgently, “Krishna, I was here first, and I have come to seek your support for the war.”
Krishna was seated on his bed by now, in the center. On his right sat the prince, after bowing to him, and on his left, resuming his seat, was Arjuna.
Krishna smiled and shook his head. “Unfortunately, dear Duryo, I saw Arjuna first, as soon as I awoke, so he has the first right to ask of me whatever he wishes - for which he has made this journey.”
Prince Duryo seethed at this perceived unfairness, as he was wont to see it, but it was Krishna, and he was the guest, so he could not object any further.
Arjuna then spoke up, “Dear friend, is there anything you do not know? I have come here to seek your support for this injustice meted out to my brothers and me. In the name of all that is virtuous, I humbly seek your support.”
At this, Krishna stood, and with him stood the other two warriors as well. He spoke to them in clear tones. “Before you seek my support, you must know this first: I shall not fight in this war. You are both related to me by family. So I place before you two choices:
On the one hand, you may choose my vast army with all of its resources to use as you see fit in the war and to aid your own.
On the other, you may choose me to help you as you wish. But I shall not wield any weapon or fight in battle.
Arjuna, since I saw you first, you may choose first: which of these two options would you prefer?”
Prince Duryo, scared of losing the vast resources of the brave Yadava army of Krishna, got nervous and blurted out again.
“Krishna, that is not fair, I came here first.”
Krishna smiled at him but rejected his claim. Krishna had seen Arjuna first and so to him went the honors of the first selection.
The prince fell silent and waited.
Krishna had a calming effect on the most agitated human being in that room.
Arjuna bowed to Krishna humbly and spoke, “Dear Krishna, I am elated to hear your choices.”
The prince swallowed.
“Your army is indeed vast, and well-trained, and can benefit any side they support.”
Prince Duryo began to panic in his mind imagining his uncle’s reaction to his losing the support of an army.
“However, I do not need your army or its resources. I came to request your presence with me during the war. That is what I desire the most - that we have access to your sage counsel. I wish for nothing other than your presence amidst us. This is our ardent request,” Arjuna spoke humbly and sincerely.
Prince Duryo could not believe his ears. What a fool his cousin was! Instead of taking the mighty army of Krishna, he was choosing just one man. He was fortunate that his cousin was not smarter, else he would have to leave with empty hands today. What could he do with a single human when he needed vast armies to fight for him?
Inwardly gleeful, Duryo remained silent and waited.
Krishna acceded to Arjuna’s request and said, “So be it, Arjuna. I shall be your charioteer and drive you in battle.”
Arjuna’s heart filled with joy at hearing these words of Krishna. Never had he imagined that Krishna would accede to such a request. How blessed he was to have Krishna for a charioteer. Who would have dreamed of such an honor? He couldn't express the happiness he felt. The scene he imagined when his brothers would hear this news occupied him momentarily.
Krishna then turned to Duryo and confirmed to him that his armies would serve as part of Duryo’s father’s army.
Duryo’s joy was unbound. He thanked Krishna several times, apologized for his earlier comments regarding his fairness, and welcomed his stance of not fighting in the war.
Extremely pleased with himself, Prince Duryo, ignoring his cousin, took leave of Krishna and excitedly returned to his kingdom. He had confronted the normally unfathomable Krishna and succeeded in the difficult task assigned to him.
Krishna then turned to Arjuna and embraced him before he departed too.
With humility, he had sat at Krishna’s feet3 and received a priceless reward.
The war looming ahead was going to be an extremely difficult one for everyone.
The minimal skill necessary to fight it was discernment.
That day, Arjuna showed he had it in full measure.
The below-related story may provide some additional context!
Krishna, for those who are new to the stories of ancient India, is considered one of the most complete incarnations of the Preserver-God.
In ancient times, it was common for people to be referred to by their antecedents. For example, 'son of parent’s name,' 'descendant of the dynasty of King ...,' etc. Here, 'Partha' refers to the son of a mother named Prithi, which was the maiden name of Arjuna’s mother. 'Partha' is the affectionate term Krishna used for Arjuna.
Arjuna’s act of humility of sitting at Krishna’s feet without pride was crucial to his getting the right of first refusal to choose Krishna as an advisor. If this had been reversed, it would have had catastrophic consequences. Duryo’s pride not only was his failing, but it also blinded him to the wisdom of seeking the support of Krishna himself, versus the superficial material strength of the army. Krishna was the arbiter of righteousness, and whoever had him on their side, won by default, though they knew it not.
Beautifully written Jayshree and so relatable coming from Indian roots. You ROCK!
Jayshree, another of your beautiful tales, of honour versus pride. Thank you for bringing so much joy 💙🙏💫