The Mahabharata is one of the greatest epics from Hindu religion that has gained interest from people all across the globe. The other being the Ramayana. The most important aspect about the Mahabharata is the war of Kurukshetra between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The importance of the war is not limited to the fact that it’s a contest between two heavyweights. The significance of the war lies in the lessons one learns from it.
Arjuna (or Arjun) was the greatest archer and the key warrior from the side of the Pandavas. If one has to think about his greatest enemy during the battle, one might name Duryodhana, the leader of the evil Kauravas, followed by the equally evil Dushashana. But if looked deeper, Arjuna biggest enemy didn’t lie in the rival camp of Kauravas.
This might confuse you, so let me get into details. Just before the start of the war, Arjuna becomes weak-hearted at the thought of having to kill his own cousins, gurus Dronacharya and Kripacharya and well-wishers in order to win the war. In fact, his weakness reaches such an enormous level that he no longer has the strength to even hold his bow called Gandiva. He keeps his weapons down.
Arjuna tells his charioteer Lord Krishna that he would rather die at the hands of his own people from the opposite camp than become victorious by killing them. This is when Krishna realizes that it’s time for him to make Arjuna understand the importance of doing one’s duty without getting attached to the fruits of the result and that we are souls and souls never die. That conversation between Krishna and Arjuna comes to be known as the great Bhagavad Gita, the book that continues to inspire millions and shall continue to do so.
After the completion of the conversation, especially after Krishna shows his Virat Roop or Vishwaroop, Arjuna understands his true nature, takes part in the war and emerges victorious.
Coming back to our original question, Arjuna’s biggest enemy on the battlefield was his own faintheartedness or lack of knowledge, which wasn’t in the Kaurava camp but inside him. Many a times, we don’t realize that our biggest enemy is inside us in the form of some kind of negativity. And it is as important to defeat the internal enemy as the external.
Once Arjuna defeated the enemy within him, it was just a matter of time before he and the Pandavas emerged victorious. There was never a doubt about it. When Lord Krishna himself decides to be on your side, there is no chance for you to taste defeat.
Also read: Why is Krishna affectionately called ‘Ranchhod’ despite fleeing the battlefield?
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