Mb065. Krishna, The Charioteer Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Side by side the peace-talk,
Both sides took stock
Of their armed positions,
And started war preparations

To seek the help of Krishna,
Arjuna went to Dwaraka.
Fast went also Duryodhana
To get help from Krishna.

Krishna was fast asleep.
They found it so deep.
Head side sat Duryodhana,
And leg side stood Arjuna.

Duryodhana came there first.
But preferred head side seat.
So, Krishna's vision fell first,
On Arjuna, standing near his feet.

He saw Duryodhana thereafter.
Asked him what was the matter?
As they had an equal claim,
To help both was Krishna's aim.

"I came here your help to seek
I should be the first one to speak.
I foresee, war is inevitable,
On my side, you be available."

Krishna smiled and replied,
"In single, I'll be on one side,
My army to be on the other side,
No weapon I shall wield."

"Both of you choose one,
Me or my army anyone.
Arjuna whom I saw first,
He'll have his choice first."

"Your stay with us, all we need,
Content we'll be then in deed.
You may wield no weapon,
Your mercy yet we depend upon."

When these words of Arjuna,
Fell on the ears of Duryodhana,
Happy he became at his choice
In his turn, he raised no voice.

"What a fool Arjuna is? "
He thought like this.
"The entire army on my side,
Krishna alone goes to his side! "

Then he went to Balarama,
Who said, against Krishna,
He won't take up a fight,
So, he took the matter light.

Hardly Duryodhana had gone,
Krishna raised question one,
Why Arjuna chose Him alone?
This he did as a matter of fun.

"I know, where Krishna is
There righteousness is.
Where righteousness is,
Sure there victory is."

"Oh Krishna, hear my prayer,
Your role as my charioteer,
It'll bring our side victory,
So, we shall have no worry."

For this Krishna gave his consent.
Back to his place Arjuna went.
Any role Krishna minds not.
To save virtue He does a lot.