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Duryodhanas Big Mistake

Stories From Mahabharat
03 Feb 2012

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One of many stories from Mahabharat that showcase

Krishnas intelligence and playful mischievousness,
this story relates a situation when Krishna was
approached to become an ally, by both Duryodhana
and Arjuna, as they were building up great armies
before the battle at Kurukshetra. Duryodhanas
attitude and choice cost him dearly, though he doesnt
immediately realize his folly.

Sadhguru: There is a beautiful

situation or incident that occurred in
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the Mahabharat. The Kurukshetra war

is imminent and these two parties are
going about campaigning. At that time there were
only two fronts the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
They are trying to gather all the support they can
because they are going to war and every man matters.
Y ou would like to have the maximum numbers
because its life and death, its not an election. Theyre
going from kingdom to kingdom campaigning and
both of them have acquired formidable armies behind
them.

Puppets from a Wayang beber play depicting the

Mahabharata in Indonesia. From right: Drona,
Duryodhana, Karna and Dushasana.
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Krishna is not a king, but he has a well trained army

with over 10,000 men, who have been in many
campaigns a great asset. So in the afternoon Krishna
is pretending to sleep. He is like that he is pretending
to sleep because when you know what is the next step
and you still dont want to disturb the game, a certain
amount of pretension is needed. So he is pretending to
sleep, stretched out on his bed. Duryodhana, the eldest
of the Kauravas came, walked into this room and saw
Krishna was sleeping. He sat down, wanting to wait.
Krishna was just sleeping with a gentle smile on his
face. His feet were pointed towards Duryodhana.
Duryodhana looked at it and he didnt like it. He is
not even a king; he is a cowherd. I am a great
emperor. Why am I sitting at his feet? So slowly he
got up and came and sat close to his head. Then
Arjuna came, a devotee of Krishna, and sat where
Duryodhana had sat earlier. Krishnas feet were
pointing at him, he sees that as a blessing. So he sat
there. Krishna opened his eyes after sometime,
pretending to wake up. See this is the problem. Once
you pretend to sleep you have to pretend to wake up.
One act leads to many complex acts.
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So he pretended to wake up, opened his eyes, and said,

Oh, Arjuna you have come. Arjuna said, Y es
Bhagwan, I have come. Before they could talk
further Duryodhana cleared his throat to make his
presence felt. Krishna said, Oh Duryodhana, even
you? Both of you at the same time what brings both
of you here? He knows the whole act.
Then both of them said that they have come to ask for
his help in the war. Krishna said, Both of you have
come and both of you are asking for the same thing,
so let me put it this way. One of you can have my
army, another can have me. But I wont fight, Ill just
come with you. Because my vision fell upon Arjuna
first, he gets the first choice. Duryodhana protested,
I came here first! Krishna said, But what can I do?
I saw him first.
Then Krishna told Arjuna , Y ou choose what you
want. Arjuna said, Bhagwan we want you, I dont
care about the army. We just want you with us.
Krishna warned, I am not going to fight for you. Ill
just come with you. He said, Y ou dont have to do
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anything, we just want you with us. Then

Duryodhana let out a sigh of relief he was so happy!
He knew the Pandavas were idiots, but he never
thought they were such idiots, that they will choose
one man against 10,000 trained men. And this one
man is not going to fight. Just going to come with
you, drive with you. 10,000 trained men against one
man who is not going to fight what a foolish choice.
But that choice made all the difference. That choice
made all the difference for what happened to the result
of the war.

Editors Note: Watch the Leela series, where

Sadhguru explores the life and path of Krishna.

Images courtesy: Mahabharata Duryodhana in

Dwaraka by william2021
Heroes of the left realm, the Korawa, and an ally
from NYPL

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POSTED IN:
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YOGA & MEDITATION, HISTORY OF YOGA

krishna stories, mahabharata stories

Comments Community

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KannanR

4 years ago

I have been asking this question to many people and I would like Sadhguru to answer this. How can Krishna give h
army to fight for the wrong side. Also how can Krishna be on the opposite side to his own army. Isn't it his
responsibility to protect them. One more thing is even with Krishna's presence in the planet earth there was still lot
suffering, war and problems. Things didn't change because of his presence. Even the yadavas fought within
themselves. What did the presence of Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Christ make difference to the planet earth durin
their life? It was all after their life and that change was by the disciples. So they are more valuable than these right?
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vs > KannanR

2 years ago

http://blog.ishafoundation.org...
4

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jim fessenden > KannanR

24 days ago

The story is all about the "act." The act is "creation." Creation is a play of duality so the thought of right and
wrong, good and bad etc. describe the suffering that the
physical evolution is a "process" of reunifying that which "appears" to be divided to rise to its peak or potent
whether mineral, vegetable, animal, or human kind.

Logic will bring you to te tall lumbering tree but until you climb the tree to acquire a unifying viewing point you
vision is obscured by the forest foliage while using logic at the base of the tree.
Climb Kannan...climb high! Climbing will erase such logical obstructions to our perception.......sadhana,
devotion, self responsibility are some basic foot-holds needed to climb!

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Singh Siddhu > jim fessenden

14 days ago

Awesome, Jim!! Thanks for your succinct but invaluable comments...

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Anjaana > KannanR

a year ago

Since we are conscious beings, all the Presences have given a way to approach moksha. You need to
choose what works for you and mostly it also depends upon your upbringing.

Ajithkumar.org

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4 years ago

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Ajithkumar.org

4 years ago

Dear Sadhguru,
I have a few doubts.
1) Isn't it Arjuna (and not Yudhistra) who went to see Krishna?2) I don't see any side getting the victory. The
pandavas won, but lost everyone, including all their sons. They went on to rule a land without men and with only
vultures, whereas Duryodhana died happily learning that Ashwatama killed all pandavas( though a
misinformation).3)Millions died except a handful of people, and Krishna did nothing to prevent the death of the
millions. Why was he a silent spectator?

4) Despite being such a great hero and a scholar why did Bheem not get his due as the most important person in t
entire scheme of things?
3

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harishkumar09 > Ajithkumar.org

4 years ago

I agree with you. Bheema was the greatest and the only towering personality worthy of respect, adoration a
love amongst the entire cast of characters in the Mahabharata. Yet, since this is the Age of Darkness, he h
been cast aside, and all types of inferior characters have gained popularity.
But when the Golden Age or the Age of Truth dawns, Bheema will get his due.
3

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Anjaana > harishkumar09

a year ago

All 5 brothers had such unity which is still unheard of. You have to understand there was no differen
between the brothers, whether the decision made by Yudhistra or Arjuna or Nakula
these 5 brother es.
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Prateek Manwani

4 years ago

who wrote this blog???sadhguru???

1

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jim fessenden > Prateek Manwani

24 days ago

Nothing will get published that does not reflect the truth of creation/life under the flagship of Sadhguru wheth
by his own hand or not. So in my experience, this blog is 100% Sadhguru's pen!

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