Story Six: “Arjun accepts Krishna as his Guru”

 Story Six: “Arjun accepts Krishna as his Guru”

Today, Rahul is also confused, just like Arjun. Arjun is saying everything right, so how did Lord Krishna convince him that fighting in the war was the right thing to do? What happens next? Only Grandpa will tell him at night.

Rahul quickly finishes all his work and goes to Grandpa’s room.

Rahul: Dada ji, please tell me quickly, what happens next?

Grandpa: (smiling) Oh, let me drink my milk first! You are in such a hurry today!

Rahul: Okay, Dada ji, you drink your milk. (He sits on a chair and starts flipping through the pages of the Bhagavad Gita.)

Grandpa: Rahul, open Chapter 2.

Rahul: What? We are already on Chapter 2, Dada ji?

Grandpa: Yes, today we will start from Chapter 2. But before starting the video, can you tell me why Arjun refused to fight in the war?

Rahul: Yes, Dada ji! Arjun didn’t want to kill his Grandfather Bhishma, his teacher Dronacharya, and his relatives. If the war happens, many soldiers will die. Society will stop progressing, children won’t get an education, and crimes like theft and robbery will increase.

Grandpa: Very well said, Rahul! This is exactly what Arjun told Lord Krishna. Now, start the video.

(Rahul starts the video.)

Grandpa: Arjun keeps his bow, Gandiva, in the chariot, lowers his head, and says, "I will not fight."

But Rahul, even though Arjun refuses to fight, he does not feel satisfied.

Rahul: Why is he not satisfied, Dada ji? Once a decision is made, it’s made! Why think again?

Grandpa: (laughing) Rahul, he has not made a final decision yet! He has only spoken his thoughts. His mind is restless, thinking whether his decision is right or wrong.

That’s why, after staying silent for some time and thinking deeply, Arjun makes a decision.

Rahul: (standing up excitedly) So, Arjun has made up his mind? Now he will stick to it?

Grandpa: No, Rahul! Listen first. Arjun tells Lord Krishna, "O Madhav, I have said everything that came to my mind, but I am very restless. I am confused. I don’t understand if I was right or wrong."

Rahul: Then what does Arjun do?

Grandpa: Arjun prays to Lord Krishna, "O Madhusudan, O Murari, I request you to become my teacher and show me the right path."

Rahul: Oh! So now Arjun is ready to accept Krishna as his teacher!

Grandpa: Yes, my child! Now the real lesson begins.

(Rahul thinks for a moment.)

Rahul: Grandpa, Lord Krishna has so many names, right?

Grandpa: Yes, Rahul! And each name has a special meaning.

Rahul: Why does Arjun call Krishna "Madhusudan"?

Grandpa: Because Arjun wants Krishna to destroy his ignorance, just like he killed the demon Madhu.

Rahul: Then, what does "Murari" mean?

Grandpa: Lord Krishna killed the demon Mura, so he is called "Murari."

Rahul: And what about "Gopal"?

Grandpa: "Gopal" means "Protector of cows." "Go" means "cow," and "Pal" means "one who takes care of." So, "Gopal" means "the one who takes care of cows."

Rahul: (smiling) Okay, Dada ji! Tomorrow, I will remember five names of Krishna, and you will explain their meanings to me. Okay?

Grandpa: Yes, of course! Now, let’s get back to the story. Arjun accepts Lord Krishna as his Guru, his teacher.

Rahul: But why did Arjun need to make Krishna his teacher, Grandpa? Krishna could have explained everything as a friend!

Grandpa: Becoming a teacher means that now Arjun will listen carefully, and Krishna will explain not as a friend, but as a teacher.

Rahul, when we are confused about a decision, we should take advice from our elders—like parents, elder siblings, teachers, or even counsellors.

Rahul: Yes, Grandpa! In our school, we also have a counsellor. She talks to the parents of naughty kids.

Grandpa: Son, counselling is not just for naughty kids. Some kids who are very quiet, don’t make friends, or are always lost in books also need help. For children, playing, jumping, and studying—everything is important.

Rahul: Okay, Dada ji! Now back to the story. When Lord Krishna becomes Arjun’s teacher, what does he do first?

Grandpa: As soon as Krishna becomes Arjun’s teacher, he scolds him!

Rahul: (laughing) Krishna is taking advantage of being a teacher! They are of the same age, and they are friends too!

Grandpa: Yes, they are of the same age, but Krishna is not taking advantage. He scolds Arjun to make him understand. And Arjun also knows that Krishna is wiser and divine.

Rahul: That means, he has magic powers?

Grandpa: Yes! Power, knowledge—everything is unlimited!

Rahul: So, what does Krishna say while scolding Arjun?

Grandpa: Krishna tells Arjun, "O Arjun! Why are you acting like a coward at this time of war? You are not a coward. You are an Arya, an educated and wise person."

Rahul: You mean, a well-educated person, Dada ji?

Grandpa: Yes! And Krishna says, Bharatvanshi"You are a descendant of Bharat, "Kaunteya"  a son of Kunti. Both your parents come from brave families. You are a Kshatriya. Then how can you speak like a coward?"

Rahul: Dada ji, wait a minute! "Kaunteya" means "Son of Kunti"… So, can I also create my name from my mom’s name?

Grandpa: Yes! Tomorrow, you and your mom can make a name for you, just like "Yashoda Nandan" and "Devakinandan."

Rahul: Wow! That will be fun! But let’s get back to the story.

Grandpa: Yes, so where was I?

Rahul: You were saying, "You are an educated person, from a family of great warriors, and still, you refuse to fight."

Grandpa: Exactly! Rahul, think about this—if a doctor who is a surgeon enters the operation theatre and says, "I won’t do the surgery because there will be blood," then can he be called a surgeon?

Rahul: No one will even call him a doctor, Grandpa!

Grandpa: Just like that, it is a Kshatriya’s duty to fight against injustice and protect the kingdom. Fighting is Arjun’s Kshatriya dharma, his duty. That’s why, at this moment, fighting is necessary.

Rahul: (thinking) Yes, Grandpa! Even Lord Krishna killed his evil uncle, Kansa.

Grandpa: Yes, because Kansa was evil and cruel.

Rahul: But Dada ji, Bhishma and Dronacharya were not evil or cruel.

Grandpa: Yes, Rahul, they were not evil, but they supported evil people like Duryodhana and the foolish king, Dhritarashtra. They thought they were following their duty, but actually, they were supporting injustice. That’s why, even those who support evil become wrong.

Rahul: So, Dada ji, we should never support a bad person?

Grandpa: Absolutely right, Rahul! We should always support the right person. That’s what the Bhagavad Gita teaches us. Even if someone is our son, father, mother, teacher, or grandfather—if they are wrong, we should not support them.

Rahul: So, Dada ji, did Arjun understand that he must fight now?

Grandpa: Not yet! Krishna decided to teach him the greatest wisdom.

Rahul: But Dada ji, that will take a long time! Won’t the war stop?

Grandpa: (smiling) You are right! But Lord Krishna has a solution—he snaps his fingers.

Rahul: Like this? (snaps fingers) What happens then?

Grandpa: Krishna freezes time! Everyone stops in their place, except Krishna and Arjun.

Rahul: Wow! Then what happens?

Grandpa: Tomorrow, I will tell you!

Rahul: Okay, Dada ji! Jai Shri Krishna!

Grandpa: Jai Shri Krishna!

(Rahul goes to his room.)