Bhagwan Krishna symbolises the epitome of love, compassion, friendship, soldiering, statesmanship, diplomacy, and selfless service. Focusing on the less glamourised Saint-Soldier persona of Bhagwan Krishna highlights his role in shaping destiny and discourse for thousands of years.
The birth of Bhagwan Krishna under trying circumstances itself underscores the complex period of that era: good versus evil. That he was raised by the foster parents Nanda and Yashoda and performed miracles right from his childhood is a tale of folklore. It can be safely presumed that Bhagwan Krishna received the best possible education under the watchful eyes of Rishi Sandipani, who taught him Vedas, Gandharva Veda, astronomy, archery and soldiering skills. More importantly, he was taught how to train horses and elephants, so essential for warfighting in that era.
It was during his education and training under Rishi Sandipani that Bhagwan Krishna, along with his brother Balarama, mastered 64 sciences and arts in 64 days. He is the incarnation of an ideal student who walks the talk. It is important to understand that all great Bhagwans and leaders go through the rigours of strenuous training, and only then do they evolve into great Gurus and teachers. It is also necessary to understand the importance of passing down the knowledge to the next generation, under the well-established Guru-Shishya tradition.
After being a brilliant student, we find that Bhagwan Krishna has evolved into a legendary Guru. In fact, Bhagwan Krishna is referred to as the Guru of all Gurus. His life and actions were an inspiration for so many personalities in that era. Bhagwan Krishna taught the supreme truths of Yoga, Bhakti, Vedanta and Warfare to Arjuna and Uddhava. His mastery over the complexities of the world and his supreme ability to communicate in the most simple terms are legendary. As we have seen, there is no treatise as enlightening as the famed Bhagavad Gita.
Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse scripture spread over 18 chapters. It is rightly believed that if one text which embodies the totality of Hinduism is captured in the Bhagavad Gita. It is, therefore, that one swears by placing a hand on the Bhagavad Gita and taking oath during the court proceedings in India. This practice may not be in vogue now, but it signifies the importance of this divine text for our country. But more importantly, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita continue to inspire those who believe in doing their best for the nation without expecting any personal gains.
In my opinion, Bhagavad Gita brings out the Scholar-Soldier persona of Bhagwan Krishna in its entirety. For the first time, we learned about the concept of ‘Just war’. It contextualises fighting for righteousness and equality. Many thousand years before the Latin concept of ‘Jus ad bellum’ came into being, Bhagavad Gita gave the message of going to war as the last resort to bring peace. In fact, the lessons in diplomacy and tact are so beautifully blended that they exemplify the significance of peace and the moral constraints of war.
Having been a student of military history, I have not come across a treatise on war and peace, as great as Mahabharata. The orchestration of war and the players is so beautifully woven that it’s a masterpiece of soldiering, basic tactics, rules of engagement, weaponry, art and science of war, surprise, deception, diplomacy, planning, leadership, contingency planning, the notion of victory and so on. So many contestations, but each one is brought to a logical end. It is Bhagwan Krishna who is the real Sutradhar of Mahabharata. Through the verses of the Bhagavad Gita, we understand each layer of life and its embodiment of the struggles of human life. It was the soldier trait of Bhagwan Krishna that he could bring out each aspect of warfighting, which may be interpreted as the struggle in life and the existence of the individual self and supreme self.
The life and times of Bhagwan Krishna define the concept of enjoyment, more importantly of the sense of happiness and contentment. No wonder that Bhagwan Krishna is most revered outside India. The number of Mandirs and sects of Bhagwan Krishna abroad is only increasing, and the followers continue to swell. The image of a master flute player continues to thrill billions of devotees. Numerous studies and research on the Bhagavad Gita are still trying to interpret the differing views and essentials, but all of them agree with its universal appeal.
There is a Mahabharata in the world, and it is nearer home in India. The state of turmoil in the world is a reflection of internal troubles and external disturbances. Certain sets of individuals and groups have amassed more wealth and power, so much so that they feel that they can influence the destiny of nations. Strong leaders seem to have become so power-hungry that they can force their countries to war to stay in power. The rule of law and international order has diminished. Only Bhagwan Krishna and his teachings can stabilise the world and usher peace & prosperity with his unique universal appeal.
The nearest home, Bhagwan Krishna’s home, has to give the world the message of peace, prosperity, and happiness. For that, India has to fully emerge as the model state, which is the apostle of peace and prosperity for one and all. But peace comes from a position of strength, both internal and external. Indians and all those who believe in Bhagwan Krishna as the most powerful and popular incarnation of Hindu Gods have to unite in mind, physical being and true spirit. The world’s masses need another reincarnation of the greatest scholar-soldier, Bhagwan Krishna, to bring cheer and happiness.
