You cannot have dharma without chastity.
It will be a house of cards.
Sri Mataji, Krishna Puja, 1985.
The Battle of Kurukshetra
was not about wealth or position
nor to restore some rights of kings
nor any material gain to resolve.
Thousands laid down their lives
on this ground - but not in vain.
This battle was fought
for us all to see
how highly God placed chastity
for humanity to evolve.
Duryodhana was a prince grown fat
on greed and pride and hate.
His senses fed by flattery
he was totally blind to his fate.
When Draupadi was insulted
and dragged with force by her hair
into the court of the Kauravas
evil was paramount there.
Good men were there in that hall
knowing dharma one and all
but none of them could act.
They could not move
all wishing to be somewhere else.
In fact they were embarrassed
and constrained by their politeness
to their fellow men
bound to consent in silence.
Draupadi
we may imagine
was more than merely angry.
She was at first
incredulous
then outraged.
She refused to come when sent for
sending a sharp reply
twice by messenger. Then
ruthless Dushasana came
and forced her to attend.
Pulled by the hair
she was brought to the hall.
Then this devilish bully’s mind
sought more harm that he could do.
Before them all
he reached a hand
to make her sari fall.
O Draupadi, dear Draupadi
with what restraint
you veiled your eyes
which could have turned those men to ash.
As Vishnumaya you’re the one who weilds
the lightening’s flash.
How much more power you weild now
To hold that lightening back.
Calling the Lord
with indrawn breath
uttering "Kri-"
you grip your sari with your teeth
leaving all actions to Him
who is also your brother.
With that syllable it is done.
The terrible spark of the doom to come
ignites
in that atom-splitting moment from a thousand miles away
Krishna suddenly at your side
provides an endless stream of sari
to hide your purity.
How it unfurled and whirled in fury ’till
those fools were all confounded.
Your restraint and apparent submission then
fuelled a slow burning rage in men for revenge
So
mighty Bhima smouldered eighteen years
until combust
his anger ripped
the limbs from your assailants
and the heart from him who so insulted motherhood.
Then Bhima offers you their blood
as homage
for your tears.
