Messenger Comments
'Arrest him and
Hack him to death,
For he has come to spy on us
On behalf of our enemies',
...
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The poem refers to moment of extreme intrigue, narrated vividly in Mahabharat: The conflict between Pandavas and Kauravas has reached a point of no return. After living twelve years in the forest (vanawasa) and another year incognito, Pandavas were eligible to claim their share of the kingdom, as per the agreement. But Kauravas refused. Both parties started preparations for the inevitable: WAR. At this point, Kauravas sent their Prime Minister Vidhura to Pandavas as their messenger, for mediation. Everybody expected Vidhura to bring good news. But Kauravas offered nothing. War was now imminent. Not dissuaded by the audacity and greed of Kauravas, Pandavas decided to make a last effort for peace. They sent Krishna (who is brother of Subhadra, wife of Arjuna) as messenger to Kauravas to barter peace. To the royal coterie of Kaurava, Krishna pleaded for Pandavas, for their rightful ardhharajya (one half share in the kingdom) . Kauravas refused. Krishna methodically brought down the bargain to five janapadas (villages) , one each for each of the Pandava brothers. Kauravas refused even this. Krishna pleaded for just one janapada for all the five brothers. Duryodhan refused to grant even area of the tip of a pin to their cousins. At this stage, Krishna lost his temper and abused Duryodhan, accusing him to be causing death and misery to the entire mankind, by causing the war. Aroused, Duryodhan ordered him to be captured and killed. This is the context of the poem. And the last four lines are just translation of the famous shloka from Bhagavat Gita, on the qualities of Aatma: 'Nainam chhindandi sastraNi Nainam dahati pavaka Na chainam kledayantyapo Na soshayati maaruta: '
pAshmampodu konduvA, yadupAshane iha kettuvvAn.... is ringing in my ears as if I had sat and seen a whole night of kathakali on the temple ground! And then lo, there is the blind Dhritarashtra exhorting his stupid son as he sees the vishwarUpa.... krishnan arul cheythathokkave mAnichu kelka ninakku nallu.....ponnA nee kandIlayo! .... Great! Don't you think you had explained the background to your non-Indian readers? (10)
Hatred and war are not the answers towards peace. Thanks for sharing.
Loved the way you have connected the messenger and the message. Of course all messages fail on deaf ears of people like Duryodhana and his companions. Thanks for sharing. Geeta has been an inspiration for many of my poems too.
Hi Savita, Thank you for finding time to go through the poem and offer the insightful comments. I am obliged.
I like the way you delivered this Message. All I know about this particular Messenger is what you and others have mentioned in the comments below. But your poem can stand alone and that is a plus. From the global to the individual, readers are welcome to ponder the treatment of the messenger. When they bring warnings of distant ecological disaster, they are dismissed as alarmists. When they bring news about violence and murder, we turn away, not wanting to hear. There are so many ways you have made us welcome to take this poem as well as to research the historic Messenger Krishna. Well written, my friend. 10 *****
Hi Susan, Thank you for reading new contemporary meanings into the poem. I firmly believe that the great Vyaasa (the story is part of the great epic Mahabhaarat) would have thought of the messenger of the worldly evils as well as of all good tidings, when he wrote about the role of messenger played by Krishna. I for one, had just tried to present Krishna the Messenger on his efforts to forewarn the supposedly evil king Duryodhan, in the present day context. Because, every messenger is the messenger of life and death; and is unaffected by the strife for he has undertaken the duty knowing pretty well that his duty takes him to the enemy camp. And to you, Susan, I would recommend to start with reading the commentary on Mahabharat by Rajagopalachari. There are many translations and commentaries of the epic available in English. Like Iliyad and Odessey, it is treasure trove of stories.
Beautiful message on the messenger of life and death life to share our knowledge and experience with all for the righteous living thanks dear poet
Thank you Saraswathy. Actually Mahabharat is a treasure trove of stories and intrigues, apart from being so poetic and philosophical. It is always an inspiration to me.
Sranisha, Thank you very much for reading my poem and offering the comment. It was very kind of you to bestow your valuable time for me. I have read a few poems by you and I think, have commented on at least some of them. Pl continue to write and share in ph. Thanks.
What a wonderful write. A lofty, elevated style of writing. I find this verse very grand. The messenger of life and death.......Never is harmed by strife.....a gripping work. Thanku for sharing.
Nosheen, The messenger referred to here is Krishna. And the the last four lines are rough translation of the famous shloka from Bhagavat Gita, starting Nainam Chhindandi shastraani. As you may know Gita is supposed to be a discourse by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, and here in this shloka speaks about Aatma, not about Krishna. I just tries to attribute the specific qualities of Aatma to the proponent of Gita, Krishna Himself, for reasons obvious. Although I am not too spiritual, Gita is a book I am astonished at, with every reading. Hope you could relate.
Please read tried in line no.4. And Nosheen, Thank you very much for reading the poem and offering the comment. And above all, for the 'ten'.
And, in the ancient days, it was illegal to harm a messenger. A messenger, even in times of extreme hostility between the nations, was treated with utmost respect and his safe passage bask was ensured. This code was violated by Duryodhan, by turning against Krishna.
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7/27/2025 5:14:43 AM # 1.0.0
Lovely poem and could become an epic series. I enjoyed reading it and gave you top ratings. Thanks for sharing.
As you have written this poem about the point of extreme intrigue could well be written as a series like Yayati. I had to hold back my pen, to avoid it. Thank you.