In the Bhagavad-gita (11.33), Krishna assures Arjuna of success in his battle against formidable ungodly forces, provided he just becomes determined to assist in the divine mission. This assurance is vindicated in the Kurukshetra war wherein Arjuna overcame impossible odds time and again, especially while fulfilling his vow to avenge his son Abhimanyu’s death by killing Jayadratha before sunset.
On that day, the Kauravas arrayed all their forces just to thwart Arjuna. Still, he penetrated deep into their ranks and came close to Jayadratha. But by then the sun had come close to the horizon. He was so close and yet so far – reaching Jayadratha seemed impossible. Nonetheless Krishna, who by his counsel during the course of the day had ensured that Arjuna didn’t get stymied in lesser fights, now deployed his omnipotence. Summoning his divine disk, he covered the sun, thus lulling the Kauravas into a false sense of complacency. Grabbing that reprieve, Arjuna shot Jayadratha and achieved his goal. Mission impossible had, by Krishna’s grace, become mission fulfilled.
Krishna’s assurance applies not only to the specific, historical battle that Arjuna fought five thousand years ago, but also to the universal, inner battle that all of us have to fight against the ungodly forces in our own hearts. When our attempts to live virtuously are repeatedly thwarted by the internal ungodly forces, we may become disheartened, and start feeling that combating these forces is a mission impossible. However, if we just maintain our resolve to serve Krishna, he will slowly but surely bless us with sublime happiness and divine power. These blessings will stimulate a strong, spontaneous attraction toward him that will empower us to overcome all obstacles. By such experiences of empowerment, we will become surcharged with the conviction that our spiritual advancement is not a mission impossible, but a mission unstoppable.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Text 33
“Therefore get up. Prepare to fight and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasaci, can be but an instrument in the fight.”
Leave A Comment