'Krishna-Niti: Timeless Strategic Wisdom' decodes sagely messages

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‘Krishna-Niti: Timeless Strategic Wisdom’ delves into Mahabharata lessons

“Krishna-Niti: Timeless Strategic Wisdom” by Nityananda Misra and Kushagra Aniket explores eleven crucial lessons delivered by Krishna during pivotal moments in the Mahabharata. These lessons cover ethics, strategy, governance, policy, and dharma, showcasing Krishna as a master strategist and statesman. The book emphasizes the practical application of Krishna’s wisdom, making it highly relevant for contemporary times.

IIM alumni Kushagra Aniket and Nityananda Misra in their book Krishna-Niti has revisited the role played by Lord Krishna in the battle of Mahabharata. The authors have enriched the commentary of Mahabharata with an engrossing selection of Shlokas to make a sense of the messages of Lord Krishna.

Aniket and Misra with their interpretations have also enlightened on a host of moral dilemmas which came forth in the course of Mahabharata. With concise summary in each chapter, the authors have sought to further popularize the messages of Gita.

Excerpts from the chapter 5 of the book

Krishna bade farewell to Kunti and then made his way to Duryodhana’s residence. As soon as Duryodhana saw Krishna, he rose from his throne and paid him respect. Duryodhana invited him for a meal, but Krishna declined the invitation.

After having a word with Karna, Duryodhana enquired about the reason behind Krishna’s refusal to dine with them. Krishna replied that it is customary for messengers to partake in meals only after they have accomplished their objective. Duryodhana expressed his displeasure, stating that regardless Krishna achieved his goal or not, he wanted to honour him nevertheless.

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Duryodhana added that he saw no reason why Krishna should not accept his invitation. Krishna candidly told Duryodhana that the food offered by the latter was defiled by wickedness and that he could eat only the food offered by Vidura in Hastinapura.

Krishna then left Duryodhana’s palace and went to the abode of Vidura. Krishna partook of the food offered by Vidura. At night, Vidura advised Krishna against going to the Kaurava court. He told Krishna that Duryodhana and his brothers believed that they owed nothing to the Pandavas and therefore, it would be no use to talk peace with them.

Vidura then asked him why he wanted to go in the midst of such evil enemies? Krishna promised that he would strive for the best interests of the Kauravas and the Pandavas as well as the safety of all other kings.

He stated that if he could achieve peace between the warring cousins, he would amass punya and the Kauravas would also be saved from certain death. The next morning, Krishna awoke and performed sandhya (ritual performed thrice in a day) and agnihotra (offering oblations to Agni).

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Just then, Shakuni and Duryodhana arrived at Vidura’s residence. They informed Krishna that Dhritarashtra had taken his seat at the court and Bhishma and other royals wanted to see him.

Krishna, accompanied by Vidura, mounted his resplendent chariot, driven by Daruka.

Shakuni and Duryodhana followed them in another chariot. As they passed through Hastinapura, Krishna was greeted warmly by the citizens of Hastinapura, and they arrived at the court of Dhritarashtra with a resounding welcome.

In that assembly, Krishna shone forth like a sapphire gem in a golden bowl. Krishna started speaking in the court of Dhritarashtra, pleading for peace.

He exhorted Dhritarashtra to rein in his sons, promising to restrain the Pandavas in return. He said that if the Pandavas and Kauravas were united, the Kurus would be unbeatable on earth and Dhritarashtra would become the ruler of the whole world.

Highlighting the imminent destruction of countless kings and Dhritarashtra’s duty towards the Pandavas, Krishna tried to broker peace Krishna’s assertive words left everybody in the assembly speechless.

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Nobody spoke a word. Seeing this, the sages gathered in the audience started addressing Duryodhana.

First, Parashurama narrated the defeat of the mighty King Dambhodbhava at the hands of Nara and Narayana, who were now born as Arjuna and Krishna, and requested Duryodhana to desist from war.

After Parashurama, Kanva tried to make Duryodhana understand the futility of war by narrating the accounts of Matali’s search for a son-in-law and the humbling of Garuda by Vishnu.

However, Duryodhana remained unmoved. He called Kanva’s speech a rant.

Narada also tried to convince Duryodhana by narrating the accounts of Galava, who faced many afflictions due to his obstinacy, and Yayati, who fell down from svarga due to his hubris.

Lamenting that his son had turned a deaf ear to his well-wishers, Dhritarashtra requested Krishna to prevail upon Duryodhana.

Krishna reminded Duryodhana of the invincibility of the Pandavas and asked him what he would gain by bringing about the massacre of multitudes in war. He said that if peace were achieved, the Pandavas would anoint Duryodhana as the yuvaraja (crown prince) and Dhritarashtra would continue to be the king.

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After Krishna, Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, and Dhritarashtra tried to convince Duryodhana, but to no avail.

It was now Duryodhana’s turn to speak. He blamed the Pandavas for their own misery and said that he was unconquerable and unafraid of war.

Duryodhana added that as long as he lived, he would not give to the Pandavas any land, even that equal to the area pierced by the tip of a sharp needle.

Krishna requested Dhritarashtra to imprison Duryodhana, but instead, Dhritarashtra asked Vidura to bring Gandhari to the court.

Gandhari summoned Duryodhana to the court and tried to dissuade him from waging a war with the Pandavas. But Duryodhana remained adamant and ignored her.

He went back to his companions and plotted to imprison Krishna. Satyaki came to know of this evil machination and informed Krishna, Dhritarashtra, and Vidura of the same.

Through Vidura, Dhritarashtra summoned Duryodhana to the court. Both Dhritarashtra and Vidura attempted to reason with Duryodhana but to no avail.

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Krishna then showed his cosmic form in the Kaurava assembly, frightening everybody except Drona, Bhishma, Vidura, Sanjaya, and the rishis.

Dhritarashtra also wanted to see Krishna’s form and requested him to grant him eyesight. Krishna obliged by giving him two invisible eyes, with which Dhritarashtra too saw the cosmic form of Krishna.

After that, Krishna withdrew his cosmic form and left the Kaurava court.

Before leaving Hastinapura, Krishna met Kunti, who narrated the account of Vidula, the brave queen who inspired her son Sanjaya to return to the battlefield.

Kunti also gave Krishna a message for the Pandavas, urging them to fight to avenge the trauma of Draupadi.

Bhishma and Drona made another attempt to convince Duryodhana to avoid a war with the Pandavas, but they failed.

(Excerpts published with permission from BluOne Ink)

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