Join Gurudevi for her Golden Jubilee celebration in the home of her spiritual lineage. You will dive into deeper studies with her and into profound experiences on all levels.
In this retreat, Gurudevi honors her spiritual roots in Ganeshpuri. She celebrates her 80th birthday, also honoring 50 years of teaching yoga & meditation.
Our newly discounted rates come from an adjustment in the foreign exchange rate as well as the improved planning by our new Tour Manager.
Golden Jubilee with Gurudevi
Begins Monday November 9
In Ganeshpuri India
Two special events are happening. On the day before her birthday, Gurudevi will perform a special fire ceremony, only for 80-year-olds. Sahasrara Chandra Darshanam honors that she has lived through 1,000 full moons. It expresses gratitude, longevity and spiritual maturity.
On her birth anniversary, Gurudevi will participate in the morning ceremonies for Nityananda in his temple. She has done this several times before, and says:
I am grateful to be able to honor Nityananda in such an intimate and personal way. This ceremony always gives me the feeling I had when sitting with my Baba. What a glorious way to honor my Baba — by honoring his Baba.
You are invited to join her. You will sit at her feet just as she sat at the feet of her Guru. The transformative effects of her teachings and practices will be generously amplified.
Svaroopis who have travelled with her before attest to the mystical wonder of profound immersion in Ganeshpuri:
Ganeshpuri is completely dedicated to honoring the one who reveals the Self. Nityananda’s temple is the center of town and all activities. Nearby are his home, the hot springs where he bathed and the building where he took mahasamadhi (left his body). I experienced the energy of Nityananda and Muktananda fully in my body, mind and heart, again and again. As a Meditation Master, Gurudevi guides and supports you while in these mystical experiences. She teaches how to sustain, deepen and bring them home with you. — Margie W.
With every step I take in Ganeshpuri with Gurudevi, I am aware that the feet of our two Babas have touched the same patch of earth. They left an imprint of their cosmic energy in the soil that vibrates through every cell of my being. Their love permeates the air, and shines through the eyes of all the villagers. Coming here is coming home to my own Self. — Lissa F.
That night, as suggested by Krishna, the Pandavas chose to consult Grandsire Bhishma for guidance on overcoming him in the battle.
Together, Krishna and the Pandavas visited Bhishma, showing their respect by bowing before him. Bhishma warmly welcomed Krishna and the Pandavas, embracing his grandchildren with deep love and affection.
Bhishma addresses Krishna & Pandavas1
Arjuna then approached Bhishma, saying, “Grandfather, you have blessed us with victory in this war. But how can we achieve that without first overcoming you? To win, we must find a way to defeat you.”
Grandsire calmly told Arjuna, “Only you and Krishna have the power to defeat me. But since Krishna has promised not to take up arms in this war, he cannot do so. As for you, the only way to overcome me is when I am unarmed.
“With the blessings of immense strength, I never fight those who abandon the battlefield, those without weapons, women or eunuchs (a woman or one who has been a woman before). If I encounter a woman during battle, I will refuse to engage. Now that you know my vulnerabilities. Use this knowledge to your advantage.”
The Pandavas grasped the underlying meaning in the strategic advice they received; they realized that placing Shikhandi at the forefront was key to their success. Shikhandi, the brother of Draupadi, was such a warrior, who had been born a woman and had changed her sex. They paid their respects to Bhishma and left.
Krishna, before departing, offered Bhishma a knowing smile, which Bhishma understood as a sign that his liberation was drawing near. Bhishma experienced a profound sense of relief, recognizing that his lengthy and arduous journey was finally reaching its conclusion.
Tenth Day of the War
The start of this day of the Kurukshetra battle carried a sense of unavoidability, as the Pandavas had committed themselves to defeating the powerful Bhishma — a challenge that had burdened Arjuna’s heart for many days.
Arjuna & Shikhandi2
Arjuna entered the battlefield determined to defeat Bhishma. He brought Shikhandi as his shield, since Shikhandi had also vowed to ensure Bhishma’s death. Wherever Bhishma went, Arjuna’s chariot pursued him.
Arjuna tactically placed himself behind Shikhandi to shield against Bhishma’s assault and shot arrow after arrow at Grandsire. Bhishma chose not to target someone who had once been a woman, but from time to time, when Arjuna’s chariot shifted suddenly, Bhishma took the chance to aim an arrow at him.
The Kauravas made every effort to ensure Bhishma’s safety. However, with Krishna skillfully serving as Arjuna’s charioteer, Arjuna was able to advance directly to Bhishma’s chariot.
Realizing his life was drawing to a close, Bhishma resolved to fulfil his duty and continue fighting until the very end. He launched a series of arrows at Arjuna’s chariot, intentionally omitting Shikhandi as a target.
Arjuna and Shikhandi kept showering arrows on Bhishma. Guided by his principles, Bhishma did not fight Shikhandi, who had been born a female. Arjuna stayed right behind Shikhandi, targeting vulnerable areas in Bhishma’s armor, and ultimately overcoming him.
Bhishma3
Bhishma accepted Arjuna’s arrows with a smile, acknowledging his pupil’s skill. Dushasana was the one closest to Bhishma, and thought he could help. But his effort was no match to that of Shikhandi and Arjuna’s put together.
Bhishma’s whole body was pierced by arrows. He looked at Dushasana and said, “These arrows are Arjuna’s. They are not Shikhandi’s arrows.” Bhishma remained calm as he faced his fate. He was certain that this tenth day of the war would be his final day in combat.
Determined to resist, he hurled a javelin at Arjuna, who shattered it midair with three arrows. Recognizing his defeat, the grandsire prepared to dismount, but Arjuna’s arrows destroyed his shield and struck him repeatedly. He fell from his chariot, his body supported above the ground by the arrows embedded in him by Arjuna.
As his body descended, the devas (Gods) paid their respects from the heavens. A gentle mist, carrying a delightful scent, drifted through the air. The warriors on both sides stopped fighting and gathered to honor the fallen hero.
He lay on his bed of arrows, a symbol of sacrifice and duty, his body gleaming as a beacon of morality. It goes without saying that Bhishma’s fall signaled the start of the Kauravas’ defeat in the Great War at Kurukshetra.
After Bhishma was defeated, a temporary truce was declared. Soldiers from both sides gathered around him. Arjuna and Krishna rushed there.
Bhishma, Arjuna & Krishna with others paying respect4
Bhishma’s head hung unsupported, and he struggled greatly. Duryodhana instructed that pillows be arranged to support the head of their grandsire, for it hung suspended. However, Bhishma declined the offer, spoke affectionately to Arjuna, requesting suitable support so his head could be aligned with his body.
Arjuna at once understood what his dear grandfather expected him to do. He took three sharp arrows out of his quiver and shot them into the ground just near Bhishma’s head in such a way that his head came to rest on their pointed tips. Bhishma put on a broad smile and blessed Arjuna for what he had done.
Bhishma once more spoke to Arjuna, his grandson, “I’m extremely thirsty – please get me some fresh, cool water.” In response, Arjuna shot another arrow into the ground with such power that a fountain of water burst forth from the earth, soared into the sky, and then descended straight into Bhishma’s mouth. It is believed that Mother Ganga emerged from the earth to satisfy the thirst of her cherished son.
Krishna, Arjuna & Bhishma5
Feeling content, he turned to Duryodhana and gave his final advice. “Did you see how Arjuna skillfully brought me water? Who else in this world could achieve something like that? It is time for you to choose the right course. Let the war end as I fall and make peace with the Pandavas instead of continuing down this path of conflict. Otherwise, the Kaurava dynasty will soon face destruction, within just a few days.”
Yet Duryodhana stayed unmoved by pride and ambition. With a heavy heart, Bhishma shut his eyes and accepted what could not be changed.
Bhishma stated he would remain on his bed of arrows until the sun shifted toward the northern horizon. In the meantime, he would provide guidance to anyone who asked for it.
The tenth day of the Kurukshetra war ended with the dismissal of its greatest warrior, leaving both armies in grief as dusk fell. The field grew quiet, and the soldiers returned to their camps, leaving behind a figure who embodied sacrifice and dharma. His passing reflected the enduring values of justice.
Karna & Bhishma6
That night, upon realizing Bhishma was alone, Karna approached him promptly, respectfully bowing at his feet. He remarked, “Grandsire, you have consistently judged me despite the absence of any wrongdoing on my part. My only circumstance was being born to Radha, the wife of the charioteer. I acted in opposition to your instructions. I failed to give you the respect you deserved. I dishonored you on many occasions, and I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.” He pleaded with all his heart for forgiveness.
Upon hearing this, Bhishma opened his eyes and stated, “You are not the son of Radha. You are the son of Kunti. I have known this for a considerable period. You are the son of Surya. Sage Narada disclosed this secret to me and Vidura many years ago, requesting that we keep it confidential.
“The Pandavas have not caused you any harm. Nevertheless, you harbored animosity toward them without just cause. My dissatisfaction stemmed solely from your support of Duryodhana’s questionable actions. I believe you had the capacity to guide him toward a more appropriate course.
“This was the sole reason for my discontent with you. It is important to remember that the Pandavas are your brothers. Accepting this fact could put an end to this conflict. By acknowledging your true identity, you have the opportunity to join the Pandavas in upholding dharma.”
Karna quietly confessed that he was already aware that Kunti was his mother. However, he made it clear that Duryodhana’s friendship meant more to him than anything else.
He explained that he had devoted his life to Duryodhana, vowing to serve him faithfully, and could not even imagine betraying him. This is why he consistently opposed the Pandavas, his dear friend’s main adversaries.
He respectfully requested that the grandsire grant him forgiveness and provide permission to join the Kauravas in battle against the Pandavas. With a gentle expression, Bhishma assured Karna that justice would triumph in the end and advised him to choose the path of virtue, then calmly shut his eyes again.
Duryodhana & Karna7
Karna, blessed by the grandsire, entered the battlefield happily, going to Duryodhana’s camp. Seeing him, Duryodhana felt immense joy and briefly forgot about Bhishma’s absence.
Duryodhana and Karna talked about who should be chosen as the commander-in-chief. Karna said, “All the kshatriyas assembled here possess the qualifications to be commanders. They have physical strength, valor, effort, courage, and distinguished lineage. In every aspect, these kings are equals.
“Not everyone can be the leader. If one person is chosen, the others may feel disappointed, which could result in losses for us. It is advisable to appoint Drona, the preceptor of all warriors, as the commander in chief. He is unparalleled among those skilled in weaponry, and no Kshatriya can match his abilities.”
Duryodhana accepted what was said by Karna and agreed that they would appoint Guru Drona as their commander in chief.
The texts describe that, if you are ready, really ready, you only need to hear the teaching one time and you’re enlightened.
Your ability to know God, your ability to experience yoga’s promise of Self-Knowingness is affected by how you have been conditioning your mind and body.
How have you been conditioning your mind and body?
If you’re relying on social media posts for your health advice and online exercise programs – you’re conditioning your mind and body to match up with society’s standards. Not yoga’s standards.
Society values dissonance, excitement, attainment, praise and pleasure.
Yoga’s standards are about internal coherence, peace, authenticity, self-recognition and bliss.
These all arise from inside. When you source yourself in your own Self, you shine with light. Divine qualities pour into your life, into your relationships and into the world. Jesus said it this way, “Let your light shine before others.” — Matthew 5:16
What society values is things that society can give.
Yoga focuses inward. All the yogic qualities arise from inside.
When you source yourself in your own Self, you shine with Divine qualities and pour them into your life, into your relationships and into the world.
This means you have to look inward, delving into the deeper dimensions of your own being. But however great this sounds, and I do hope it sounds great to you, it’s…
Duryodhana, wounded and demoralized by previous defeats, headed to Bhishma’s tent in the morning. With a tone of worry, he pleaded, “Grandsire, how am I supposed to succeed without your guidance? Every day the battle turns against us. Our lines are collapsing.
“My brothers and fellow warriors are being killed. I feel helpless as I witness this devastation. You, whom I believed would be our savior, seem to do nothing. How can we possibly hope for victory?”
Bhishma spoke, his voice steady as a stream amidst the storm. “Duryodhana, why do you allow despair to seize you? Do you not notice the great warriors fighting at your side? Each one stands prepared to lay down their life for your cause.
“Your army is vast, your soldiers courageous. Having allies like these makes you nearly unbeatable. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. Don’t let yourself be consumed by despair — there’s still hope.”
Duryodhana’s injured spirit found comfort alongside a remedy for his physical wounds. The medicinal treatment not only eased the prince’s pain but rejuvenated both his mind and body. Restored in confidence, Duryodhana went back to the battlefield, resumed command and led once again.
The battle that day occurred across multiple fronts, with Bhishma leading the defense against Arjuna. Drona defeated King Virata of Matsya, forcing him to flee his chariot and join his son Shankha. However, Shankha was killed, deepening Virata’s sorrow after losing two other sons.
At another battlefield site, Shikhandi confronted Ashwatthama. The fight was fierce. Ashwatthama broke Shikhandi’s sword and forced him to retreat to Satyaki’s chariot. Although Shikhandi suffered defeat, he pledged to regain strength and return.
Satyaki2
During the confrontation between Satyaki and the demon Alambhasan, Satyaki encountered significant setbacks at first. He ultimately prevailed, forcing Alambhasan to retreat.
Duryodhana personally confronted Dhrishtadyumna, the Pandava general. During the fierce battle, Duryodhana’s horses were killed and his chariot was destroyed. Undeterred, he fought bravely on foot with his sword until Shakuni arrived just in time to rescue him and carry him away in his chariot. Seeing their leader wounded and taken from the battlefield demoralized the Kaurava forces.
Bhima, demonstrating his exceptional strength and determination, launched a relentless assault on the Kaurava warriors. At one point, this compelled Kritavarma to abandon his chariot and withdraw from the battlefield, wounded and humiliated.
Ghatotkacha & Bhagadatta3
Bhima’s son, Ghatotkacha, confronted the powerful Bhagadatta, renowned for commanding his formidable war elephant. Although Ghatotkacha fought valiantly at first, Bhagadatta’s superior skill and strength ultimately overpowered him. As a result, Ghatotkacha had to retreat, which provided the Kaurava army with a significant morale boost.
Nakula and Sahadev fought together to defeat the seasoned warrior Shalya. Shalya was their maternal uncle. Recognized for his expertise in both archery and warfare, Shalya responded with swift weaponry. During the clash, Sahadeva struck Shalya’s chariot with his spear, while Nakula, through notable bravery, succeeded in neutralizing Shalya’s bow.
Impressed by their combat prowess, Shalya found himself exhausted. He eventually lost consciousness and fell unarmed into his chariot. Upholding the principles of dharma, the brothers Nakula and Sahadeva refrained from harming Shalya further and allowed him to live.
Yudhishthira demonstrated remarkable courage in battle against Shruta, ultimately killing his charioteer and compelling Shruta to retreat. His fierce fighting stunned his warriors. On this day, Yudhishthira’s usual temperament was overtaken by a display of anger.
Krishna plays flute for troops4
Yuyutsu fought Kripacharya, the Kauravas’ royal priest, and was injured by him. Abhimanyu, the Pandavas’ young warrior, quickly overcame Duryodhana’s three brothers but let them go, remembering Bhima’s vow and Draupadi’s pledge. The day concluded with Bhishma engaging in combat with Abhimanyu.
Observing the young warrior face such an experienced adversary, all five Pandavas promptly intervened to support him. Nonetheless, despite their collective strength, Bhishma remained resolute, utilizing his profound expertise and skill to keep the Pandava warriors at bay.
As sunset marked the end of the seventh day of battle, the warriors returned to camp. That night, Krishna’s flute calmed the wounded and grieving, illustrating that even during hardship, compassion and reflection remain possible.
Eighth Day of the War
At dawn, Bhishma organized the army into the tortoise (kurma) formation, a strategic defensive structure intended to effectively resist and counter attacks from every direction.
Noticing this, Yudhishthira instructed Dhrishtadyumna to respond by organizing the troops in a way that could break through the enemy’s defenses. Dhrishtadyumna then arranged the Pandava army into a three-pronged formation. Bhima led one wing, Satyaki another, with Yudhishthira at the center front.
Bhima fought fiercely in the Kaurava ranks, using his mace to kill eight of Dhritarashtra’s sons early in the battle, deeply wounding Duryodhana emotionally. Nevertheless, the Pandavas were not exempt from sorrow.
Iravan5
Iravan, Arjuna’s cherished son with the Naga princess Ulupi, entered the battlefield to support his father. He confronted Alambhasan, a rakshasa who loyally served Duryodhana.
Drawing upon his serpent heritage, Iravan fought swiftly, yet Alambhasan’s sheer power eventually proved too much. After a lengthy struggle, Iravan was defeated, leaving the Pandavas enveloped in grief.
When Arjuna heard of Iravan’s death, he was devastated and questioned the purpose of the war. Krishna, seeing Arjuna’s sorrow, told him to focus on his duty as a warrior and use his pain as strength.
Iravan’s death angered Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s rakshasa son, whose war cry intimidated the Kaurava soldiers. He disrupted their formation with his strength and powers, causing chaos. Duryodhana responded by leading an assault against Ghatotkacha himself.
The king of Vanga joined him, bringing armored elephants that offered crucial support and added excitement to the scene. Ghatotkacha threw a massive javelin at Duryodhana, but the Vanga king intervened, sacrificing one of his elephants to protect the Kaurava prince. The elephant’s fall shook the earth and momentarily brought the battle to a halt.
When Duryodhana was at risk, the senior warriors used their experience to strengthen the Kaurava lines. Bhisma led the effort, breaking through the Pandava ranks.
Yudhishthira sent Bhima to aid Ghatotkacha, who was encircled by Kaurava warriors. Ghatotkacha gave out a loud roar. Hearing it, Bhima rushed to help. Together, they defeated the enemy, and by sunset, Bhima had killed sixteen of Duryodhana’s brothers.
As night fell, the Kaurava camp was demoralized and depleted, surrounded by fallen warriors. The Pandavas felt the heavy loss of Iravan, despite Bhima and Ghatotkacha’s successes.
Duryodhana, disheartened by defeat and the relentless Pandava advance, withdrew to his tent, bracing for more conflict ahead.
Ninth Day of the War
Before the battle began, Duryodhana approached Bhishma with harsh words, expressing his frustration over their defeats and provoking the noble elder.
Dushasana & Duryodhana6
Yet Bhishma remained calm and did not lose his composure. “I am sacrificing my life for you on this battlefield; my arrows are my offering, fulfilling my duty,” he replied. “Why have you allowed despair to cloud your judgment? The difficulties you face now are the consequence of your own actions.
“Nevertheless, I will fight as fiercely as I can against all opponents except Shikhandi or the Pandavas — my heart cannot wield weapons against them. Still, be assured, as long as I endure, I will protect your army.”
Duryodhana sought reassurance and addressed Dushasana, “Brother, let us commit our full efforts to today’s battle. Grandsire is engaged on our behalf with unwavering resolve. He has indicated that he cannot confront Shikhandi alone. Our primary concern should be to prevent Shikhandi from engaging him. As even the strongest can fall if vigilant care is lacking, it is imperative we remain alert.”
On that day Abhimanyu fiercely fought Alambhasan the demon, ultimately forcing him to retreat. Abhimanyu thus proved himself as Arjuna’s son. Meanwhile, an intense conflict was unfolding between Satyaki and Ashwatthama on a separate front. Arjuna was involved in a confrontation with Drona. However, this encounter was brief due to Bhishma’s arrival at the scene.
Bhishma overwhelmed the Pandava forces, scattering them and causing widespread panic as their soldiers fled in confusion. The Pandava brothers attacked Bhishma.
Arjuna and Krishna7
Krishna halted Arjuna’s chariot and firmly reminded him that after all those years of exile, this was the moment to fulfill his duty as a warrior — that his brothers and soldiers depended on him and that he must fight with full strength.
Arjuna, with his head bowed, told Krishna he would rather stay exiled than fight his respected elders but agreed to obey. Reluctantly, he readied himself for battle. As Arjuna’s chariot moved forward, the Pandava soldiers regained their courage. Though hesitant, Arjuna fought back and broke several of his grandsire’s bows. Each time Bhishma calmly picked up another and resumed his relentless attack.
Krishna, Arjuna & Bhishma8
Observing Arjuna’s continued indecision, Krishna’s patience reached its limit. Declaring that the situation was out of hand, he jumped down from the chariot, took up his Sudarshana Chakra (the divine discus) once more, and advanced toward Bhishma with resolute determination.
In response, Bhishma respectfully welcomed Krishna’s arrival with folded hands, prepared to receive him. He expressed his willingness to meet his end at Krishna’s hands without hesitation.
Krishna said to Bhishma that he was fighting for the unjust side and that his unwillingness to give up his life is unreasonably prolonging the war. Krishna also said that the Pandavas, who were his great-grandchildren, were fighting the war reluctantly because he was leading the opposing army.
Bhishma said that he knew his side was unjust, but his vow to safeguard the throne of Hastinapura, forbade him to sacrifice his life. The argument went on for a while, until Arjuna came towards Krishna, pleading with him not to break his vow of remaining unarmed. Arjuna insisted it was his own duty to fight.
Krishna allowed Arjuna to lead him back to the chariot, and the battle resumed with Arjuna fighting harder. Still, despite his efforts, the Pandavas could not prevail.
On the ninth day, as the sun set, the enduring conflicts and challenges of war became apparent. Arjuna’s hesitation, Krishna’s discontent and Bhishma’s formidable presence underscored that the grandsire’s power remained the foremost obstacle to Pandavas success.
It became evident that victory in the war was impossible while Bhishma remained undefeated on the battlefield. The Pandavas approached Krishna to discuss the situation and get some advice from him as to what they can do.
Yoga says you are seeking your own Self – your own Essence and Beingness. Your own Is-ness, the depth and wholeness inside. You start with your body, sitting easily upright, then you look within.
The Maitreya Upanishad, from about 300 CE, says:
Devo devaa-laya.h prokto sa jiva kevala.h “siva.h.[1]
This body is the holiest temple because God abides in it as its Self.[3]
Delving into the multiple levels of your own dimensionality is a fascinating and fulfilling process. Yet it is the deepest dimensionality that you seek.
In our system, you are propelled deeper within by one who knows the way. Your inner experience is progressively more profound and expansive. It carries with you after your meditation, improving your life.
Yet there is a goal. This goal is the Knowingness of your own Beingness. Becoming enlightened is an inner recognition of something you already knew — your own Self. There’s no fireworks, no lightning bolts, no earthquake or shooting stars.
The feeling of recognition is like, “Oh. I know.” It’s like you had forgotten where you laid your keys and now you know. You had forgotten your essence, and now you know.
The good news is that you have experienced your own Divine Essence so many times. Your own Self is so familiar to you. You don’t have to be doing yoga to have this experience.
This is why people love to watch the sunset. If you give yourself the time to watch it lower in the sky, colors spreading and changing, you settle into a peaceful moment that tickles timelessness.
And when the sun dips below the horizon, the colors keep spreading and changing. You can stay and watch — and when you move again, when you breathe again, you are softened. You are settled.
A view from a mountaintop will do it, as will photos of galaxies.
We love the things that stop our mind. Why? Because, when your mind stops, you experience your own inner essence. You get a moment, a peek at who you really are. If you stay in that moment, you’re enlightened…
At Kurukshetra, both forces assembled once more in readiness for battle. Each day seemed to merge with the next as the fighting raged on and casualties grew on both sides.
Despite the ongoing struggle, the war showed no sign of ending. The heroes of this grand saga kept forging their destinies amid the turmoil of battle. The Kaurava army, equipped with chariots, elephants and cavalry was poised for battle, resembling a turbulent sky heavy with thunderclouds.
Krishna (in background) & Abhimanyu1
Duryodhana formulated a strategy aimed at causing harm to Arjuna’s son, Abhimanyu. The formation was executed. Upon Abhimanyu’s entry, he was promptly encircled by the opposing forces. Young Abhimanyu, though it was unexpected, confronted the Kauravas with the courage of a lion cub.
Arjuna and Dhrishtadyumna rushed to assist Abhimanyu, sparking a fierce battle. Bhima also arrived promptly at the scene and began defeating the Kaurava warriors who were encircling Abhimanyu.
War elephants2
Duryodhana sent war elephants charging toward Bhima, but Bhima fought them off with his mace. The elephants broke ranks, charging into the Kaurava army and killing a lot of their own foot soldiers.
Duryodhana and his brothers moved forward to confront Bhima, but Bhima’s fury was unstoppable. Bhima killed eight of Duryodhana’s brothers and wounded Duryodhana very badly.
Grieving the loss of his brothers, Duryodhana attacked Bhima with a weapon, temporarily rendering him unconscious. Gadot Gaja stepped in to save his father. Not even Bhishma and Drona could stop Gadot Gaja.
The fourth day’s battle came to an end with this event. Neither side emerged as the definite winner that day.
That evening, Duryodhana approached Bhishma once more to inquire about the factors contributing to the Pandavas’ current advantage. Bhishma told Duryodhana that his hostility and unfairness toward the Pandavas were leading to his downfall. The Pandavas consistently adhered to the principles of dharma. As a result, Krishna was ensuring their safety. Where Krishna is present, dharma prevails. Victory follows dharma.
Bhishma reminded Duryodhana that Bhishma had consistently encouraged Duryodhana to seek reconciliation with the Pandavas. He also cautioned Duryodhana once again, that failure to comply could result in adverse consequences for the Kauravas.
Dhritarashtra & Sanjaya3
In Hastinapura, Sanjaya was reporting daily to King Dhritarashtra on the war through his divine vision. The king asked for updates on the conflict. Sanjay described everything that had happened throughout the day.
King Dhritarashtra expressed his grief, saying, “Sanjaya, every day you bring me only news of sorrow, defeat, and the deaths of my loved ones. I cannot endure this pain any longer.
“What strategy can possibly save our people now? How can we hope to win this war when fate itself seems to set against us? With events unfolding as they are, how will my sons ever succeed? Bhima killed eight of them today. This situation deeply troubles me.”
Sanjaya replied, “O my king, these events are the result of your decisions. Grieving will not help us. I must speak honestly, even if it causes pain to you. It is crucial to confront reality with bravery. We should observe what unfolds with unwavering attention and remain focused.”
King Dhritarashtra saw that Vidura’s earlier warnings were indeed coming to pass, which filled him with sorrow as he reflected on the good advice he had previously dismissed.
Fifth Day of the War
At dawn, sunlight spread across the weary battlefield at Kurukshetra.
That day, Bhishma arranged his forces in the makara formation, which resembled the shape of a crocodile. Conversely, Dhrishtadyumna arranged his army in a formation resembling the shape of a bird. The battle that took place was called Sankula War, where you choose to fight someone who is equal to you in strength.
The battle commenced with Bhishma initiating an intense offensive, with his arrows descending upon the Pandava forces, resulting in significant casualties. Arjuna acted swiftly, striking Bhishma with precise skill to ease the pressure.
Duryodhana turned to Drona and said, “O Guru, I trust you and Bhishma, so you must take action against the Pandavas.”
Drona4
Drona replied, “Duryodhana, you are underestimating the strength of the Pandavas. They fight with unity and skill. Above all, Krishna supports them. I’ve warned you many times not to provoke conflict with the Pandavas. Still, you ignored my counsel. Nevertheless, I will do my utmost in battle.”
Drona attacked Satyaki. The battle escalated and Bhima intervened to confront Drona. Satyaki and Bhima engaged in combat with Drona, while Arjuna confronted Ashwathama.
Abhimanyu faced Lakshmana, the son of Duryodhana. Bhishma and Shalya came to join Drona.
When Shikhandi saw what was happening, he stepped forward to assist Bhima. Bhishma immediately left that area of the battlefield, stating that his principles did not allow him to fight someone who had been born a woman.
Bhurishrava5
Duryodhana ordered Bhurishrava to fight Satyaki, making it extremely challenging for Satyaki to overcome his opponent. Bhurishrava was the son of Somadatta and the grandson of Bahlika, fighting on the side of the Kauravas due to a family feud with the Vrishnis, a clan allied with the Pandavas.
Eventually, Satyaki suffered serious injuries, prompting his sons to rush to his aid. They were all killed by Bhurishrava. Bhima saved Satyaki and took him to safety in his chariot.
Arjuna overcame countless warriors, striking fear into those who challenged him. The Pandava army cheered in triumph. When night descended, Bhishma called for a withdrawal, which left the Kauravas discouraged and boosted the Pandavas’ morale, though again neither side emerged as the definite winner of the day.
Sixth Day of the War
Dhrishtadyumna arranged the Pandava army in the crocodile formation while the Kaurava army took a heron formation. Each view served a strategic role, adjusting to changing offensive and defensive needs.
Both strategies and the formations soon fell apart. The charioteer serving Drona was killed. Drona personally took control of the driverless chariot and advanced forcefully through the Pandava army, causing significant destruction.
Bhima demonstrated exceptional skill in combat that day, successfully overcoming and defeating enemy forces. Determined to confront Duryodhana’s brothers, Bhima broke through the enemy lines, searching for each and targeting them individually.
A formidable group of Duryodhana’s brothers rallied together and launched a coordinated assault with the intent to capture him.
Bhima6
Overwhelmed, Bhima lost patience, abandoned his chariot, grabbed his mace and charged into the Kaurava ranks on foot. He cut through soldiers, elephants and horses without distinction, leaving a path of devastation in his wake. His power frightened the elephant army.
The rapid movement of Bhima as he wielded the mace, along with the sound it produced, served as evidence of his tutelage under Balarama. Upon witnessing this, the Kaurava army became gripped with fear.
Kripacharya7
Observing Bhima’s performance, Bhishma, Drona and Kripacharya each felt a sense of pride, reflecting on his abilities and contemplating whether he could continue to excel in combat. Drona referred to him as his disciple, while Bhishma proudly acknowledged him as his grandson. Kripachariya declared on the field, “I am his clan Guru,” prompting the other two to laugh.
Remembering that Bhima was an opponent, they quickly resumed fighting. Bhima and Duryodhana confronted each other. After an exchange of harsh words, their battle commenced. Bhima struck Duryodhana, knocking him unconscious in his chariot. Kripacharya quickly took him away, saving Duryodhana, which helped prevent a decline in the Kaurava’s morale.
Bhishma, the commander of the Kauravas, and Dhrishtadyumna, the commander of the Pandavas, met face to face in battle. Dhrishtadyumna was fully aware of Bhishma’s strength, as Bhishma had once defeated his own teacher in archery. He effectively neutralized all of Bhishma’s offensive maneuvers, refraining from launching any counterattacks and gradually exhausting his opponent.
Arjuna and Drona8
Arjuna and Drona met face to face. Drona addressed Arjuna, stating, “Should you defeat me, the honor will be mine.” He encouraged Arjuna not to hesitate in launching his arrows, emphasizing that this conflict was not personal, but rather a battle between righteousness and unrighteousness.
Drona affirmed that even in defeat, true victory would be found in virtue. He concluded by assuring that he would engage, not merely with his strength, but with his utmost effort.
He blessed Arjuna, saying that if he won the battle, he would earn the title “Victorious of the Bow” and receive lasting fame. Arjuna, eager to fulfil his Guru’s wish, released arrows that sliced through the air. Both were exhausted with empty quivers.
Krishna reassured Arjuna, telling him that his actions in battle demonstrated to everyone that he was Drona’s foremost student, encouraging him to fight even more valiantly. On the other side, Nakula and Sahadeva scattered the infantry, as Nakula’s swirling sword and Sahadeva’s spear unleashed chaos across the battlefield.
On the sixth day of the war, the battlefield was filled with corpses of men, horses and elephants. The ground was soaked in blood. As the sun set, the day’s battles ended, leaving everyone exhausted. The war wrapped up with heavy casualties on both sides, as each army readied itself for future conflicts. Again, there was no definite winner of the day.
Duryodhana, deep in thought and grieving his tremendous losses, remained in his tent contemplating what course of action to take next. Meanwhile, upon receiving Sanjay’s somber report, Dhritarashtra expressed his concerns, questioning how his sons could possibly succeed against the formidable strength and virtue of the Pandavas.
Meditation is a natural and easy state, something everyone experiences.
Just as every human being experiences sleep, they also experience meditation. They couldn’t tell you they were meditating, but just sitting and staring into space happens sometimes – no thoughts, a moment of motionlessness, their mind is still.
It’s a light meditative state. Someone says your name and your head turns. It takes a moment for you to focus your eyes and engage your brain – huh? Where were you?
You were not involved with what your eyes were seeing. You were not hearing things – or maybe, like here, sometimes you hear the traffic go by, but it doesn’t pull you to it. Not looking outward, poised in the in-between, a sweet moment of stillness. It’s a light meditative state.
Yet yogic meditation takes you deeper – by using stillness as an entry point deeper within. Deepening into your own Self, you experience fullness, not merely stillness.
Your own Self is the Beingness that is being all, the whole universe and all that is in it. That One Divine Reality underlying all the diversity of this world also underlies your life, your body, your mind, your heart. Your essence is the One Essence that is being all — Self.
My Baba described it this way:
Meditation is universal. It is not the property of any particular religion or nationality. Is there such a thing as Hindu sleep or Christian sleep or Muslim sleep? Sleep is our own property, and in the same way meditation belongs to us.
Sleep belongs to us. In the same way, meditation belongs to us. Baba called it “the religion of man.” Meditation is a human capacity.
Different meditative systems use different processes to get you there, but they all do the same thing – settle you within. We use mantra, a Sanskrit phrase that honors your inmost essence, your inherent Beingness, your inherent Divinity. You fill your mind with the vibration of Consciousness so your mind heads toward…
After hearing the divine words of Krishna, preserved for us in the Bhagavadgita, Arjuna’s delusion was destroyed. He regained his clarity and resolve through Krishna’s grace.
Arjuna stood firm, free from doubt, and promised to act according to Krishna’s words. Krishna returned their chariot to their position in the Pandava army.
Arjuna & Krishna blow conch shells1
The battle was set to commence, with both armies positioned and fully equipped. They were clad in polished armor with their weapons drawn. Arjuna blew his conch shell, Devadatta, to declare war. All the warriors in the Pandava army blew their own conches, producing startling sounds.
Suddenly Yudhishthira, the eldest, the steadfast, righteous son of Pandu, removed his armor and laid down his weapons. He stepped down from his chariot and began walking, alone and unarmed towards the Kaurava army. He walked toward Grandsire Bhishma’s chariot.
Yudhishthira’s unexpected move puzzled his brothers, particularly Bhima, who worried he might surrender and end the war. Bewildered by this unexpected action of his eldest brother, Arjuna jumped down from his own chariot and hurried after him. The other Pandava brothers joined him. Krishna, who understood the actions of Yudhishthira, gave an encouraging smile. All of this caught the attention of the warriors from both sides.
Yudhishthira, without acknowledging any of the gazes fixed on him, walked straight to Grandsire Bhishma with folded hands. Approaching Bhishma, unarmed, is a great sign of respect. He felt it was only right to receive his permission and blessings before engaging in such a grave war.
Grandsire Bhishma & Yudhishthira2
He touched Grandsire Bhishma’s feet and said, “Dearest Grandsire, we have been forced to participate in this war against you. Without your blessings I cannot start the war. So, I have come to seek your permission, and I pray for your blessings to win this war.”
Bhishma blessed Yudhishthira wholeheartedly, feeling proud of his grandson fulfilling his duty by respecting his elders. He said, “Though I am fighting for the opposition, obeying my vow and fulfilling my duty, my heart is with you and your brothers. Uphold dharma and be victorious.”
From there Yudhishthira went directly to Guru Drona to receive his blessings, then to Kripacharya, Shalya and other elders for their blessings too. The other Pandava brothers, seeing Yudhishthira’s intention, followed his steps getting the blessings of the elders.
Observing these events, Yuyutsu, the son of Dhritarashtra by a maid, made the decision to change his allegiance. He approached Yudhishthira as he was heading to his chariot and asked to join the Pandava army, stating he would not support unrighteousness. Yudhishthira accepted his request.
Duryodhana, Yuyutsu’s half-brother, was enraged by his actions. Yudhishthira and the brothers happily returned to their chariots with all the blessings, and the war officially began.
First Day
Duryodhana, along with Dhushasana, led his Kaurava forces into battle. Bhima did the same from the Pandava side. The battlefield of Kurukshetra became a landscape of intense and frenzied combat with countless warriors fighting and falling.
Kurukshetra Battlefield3
Chariots overturned, elephants trumpeted in pain and the ground turned slick with blood, making it treacherous. The uproar was earth-shattering, with drums, conchs, pipes mixed with war cries as well as the cries of wounded and dying warriors.
On the first day Bhishma launched a fierce attack on Pandavas, causing a lot of death and devastation. Wherever his chariot went, death of the Pandava soldiers was guaranteed. This made the Pandava army tremble in fear.
Full of fury, young Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, attacked the Kaurava army. His valor was noticed by all. He tried his best to stop Bhishma. He was able to bring Bhishma’s chariot flag down but was not successful to bring him down.
Uttara, the son of Vrata, was battling with Shalya. After a fierce fight, Shalya shot a spear which pierced Uttara’s chest. He fell from his elephant and died. Shweta, the brother of Uttara, went with vengeance to attack Shalya. His prowess didn’t go unnoticed. Bhishma came to rescue Shalya and ended Shweta’s life with one blow.
These deaths brought down the spirit of the Pandava army. On the other hand, the Kauravas were pleased by the results of the war on the first day. Krishna consoled Yudhishthira saying that eventually, righteousness would be victorious.
Second Day
Pandava army’s bird formation4
After the unpleasant experiences of the first day, the Pandava army positioned themselves in a bird formation. This formation was suggested by Krishna himself. King Drupada stood at the head with Yudhishthira at the back. Dhrishtadyumna and Bhima led the feathers.
Seeing the Pandavas in this battle formation, the Kauravas took a formation to defend themselves and to attack the Pandavas.
Grandsire Bhishma was able to enter Pandavas’s formation in no time, creating a rift in their strategy. He started slaughtering Pandava warriors in big numbers. Arjuna, with Krishna as his charioteer, intervened to stop Bhishma and protect the Pandava army. Arjuna started battling Bhishma with all his might. The combatants were equally matched. The fierce fight went for hours with no result, but Arjuna accomplished the task of saving the Pandava army that day.
The battle between King of Kalinga, Bhima, Bhishma, etc.5
In another part of the battlefield, Drona battled with Dhrishtadyumna, wounding him. Bhima rescued Dhrishtadyumna. Seeing this, the King of Kalinga came to fight Bhima. Bhima attacked him and his elephant army with fury. Bhishma came to rectify the situation, and started battling with Bhima. Satyaki and Abhimanyu came to the rescue of Bhima. They started attacking Bhishma together. Witnessing this, Duryodhana immediately sent reinforcements to help Bhishma. They circled Bhima and Abhimanyu. Arjuna came for their rescue right on time.
Krishna & Arjuna6
The unexpected entry of Arjuna made the Kaurava army stagger. Arjuna started killing the Kaurava army at will. Meantime, Satyaki killed Bhishma’s charioteer. Bhishma’s chariot was pulled away from the battlefield by his horses. Thus there was nobody to stop Arjuna. He started destroying the Kaurava army in massive numbers. The Kaurava army was confused and disturbed by this.
On the second day, Arjuna and Bhima caused a lot of damage to the Kauravas. Duryodhana was very disappointed and unhappy as Kaurava army suffered huge damages. Especially Kalinga’s army suffered heavy losses.
Third Day
Grandsire Bhishma vowed to compensate for the heavy losses on the second day. He formed the Kaurava army in an eagle formation. He placed the best warriors in the right places with himself as the head.
To challenge this, Dhrishtadyumna put the Pandava army in a halfmoon shape, with Bhima and Arjuna on both ends. The war started up on the third day.
The Kauravas went straight to attacking Arjuna, covering his chariot with arrows and other weapons. In no time, Arjuna saved himself by building a defense with his arrows.
Satyaki and Abhimanyu together fought against Shakuni and his army. Bhishma and Drona fought Yudhishthira and his army. Bhima and his demon son Ghatotkacha battled the army of Duryodhana.
Ghatotkacha7
Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima from his demon wife Hidimbi. He was a mighty warrior, just like his father, gifted with immense physical strength, plus he also inherited his mother’s magical powers. Because of the promise Ghatotkacha had made to his father, when Bhima thought of him, he appeared on the battlefield at once. The son did a better job in destroying the enemies than the father.
Bhima’s arrow pierced Duryodhana’s armor with such force that it wounded him and he fell unconscious from the pain. He collapsed in his chariot. Duryodhana’s charioteer drove the chariot immediately out of the battlefield. This made the Kaurava soldiers think that Duryodhana was running away from the field. This confusion made Duryodhana’s soldiers scatter.
Bhishma arrived just in time. He took Duryodhana with him and made sure he got the treatment he needed. When Duryodhana became conscious, Bhishma had already moved him to a secured area.
Arjuna, Krishna & Bhishma8
Angry, Duryodhana, accused Bhishma of not really fighting from his heart, because he loves the Pandavas too much. He blamed Bhishma for abandoning him and his army by not really fighting the Pandavas. He wanted Grandsire Bhishma’s assurance that he would be loyal to the Kauravas.
Stung by the accusation, Bhishma reminded Duryodhana that he had already predicted the Kauravas’ defeat. And Bhishma reaffirmed his commitment to fight the Pandavas with all his strength.
After saying this, Bhishma returned to the battlefield with full fury and started destroying the Pandava army in multitudes. The death toll climbed enormously. Arjuna confronted Bhishma to restore order. The duel between Arjuna and Bhishma started up again and continued for a long time.
Arjuna, Krishna & Bhishma9
Krishna saw that Arjuna hesitated to fight his grandsire. Krishna couldn’t remain quiet when seeing Bhishma gaining an upper hand. Lifting the broken wheel of a chariot, Krishna ran towards Bhishma to attack him. Arjuna halted Krishna, reminding him of his promise not to take up arms during the war.
Krishna said that if Arjuna won’t fight wholeheartedly, he must break his vow in order to uphold righteousness. Upon hearing this, Arjuna assured Krishna of his full commitment to participate in the battle and respectfully accompanied Krishna back to the chariot.
After this, Arjuna battled intensely. Bhishma was pleased to see Arjuna give his best in battle. Combatants from each side regarded his actions with admiration for his exemplary bravery.
That day before the sunset, 16,000 chariot soldiers were wiped out by Arjuna. In this way, hostilities concluded. That evening, Arjuna’s acts of valor were widely discussed.
Everyone says, “Happy New Year.” As we move into the new year, hopefully you are considering what improvements you would like to make in your life. That’s what New Years resolutions are all about – how you can be happier.
No one ever resolves to make themselves unhappy. Sometimes they accomplish this, unfortunately, but not as a New Years resolution.
You do things that you hope will make you feel good. This is true all year long, actually. Now is the time you can set your trajectory for your whole year.
Yoga has the best methodologies I’ve ever found. In minutes, even in a few breaths, you can upgrade your mood, state of mind and even your physical condition.
Here’s how it works – if you are not feeling the way you want to feel, do some yoga. One quickie is the yogic sigh. When you sigh, everyone understands what you are communicating – that you’re not feeling the way you want to feel.
But the yogic sigh is not about getting someone else to change what they are doing. It is purely and simply for the purpose of changing how you feel. Let’s do the yogic sigh…
For the new year, you could to do more sighing. The more you do, the less you need.
Of course, yoga has other breathing practices along with poses. My personal practice of yoga breathing and poses keeps my body healthy and my mind sharp.
Yes, the condition of your body affects your mind. You know this if you’ve ever had a cold or the flu. You can’t think. One of the ways to help with brain fog is to improve your physical condition. It’s been researched and proven. Your body affects your mind.
And while yoga excels at physical improvements, it is the deeper inner experience that yoga focuses on – not simply your body, nor your mind, and not even your emotions – but the deep wordless sense of your own Beingness.
When you feel like you, you feel good. When you feel like you…
A whole new year! What a great gift you get to give to yourself!
There is nothing more precious than time, and you’ve got a whole new year starting up. You get to decide what to do with it. And remember, not choosing is a choice.
If your life is perfect as it is, you can choose to keep on keepin’ on. If your body is perfect, and you appreciate the fine condition of your mind and emotions, then do what you did last year.
If you want some improvements, then you must choose to do something differently. I recommend you resolve to — be happy!
Why? Because you like you better when you are happy. Simply resolve to do what makes you happy. But there is a catch in it. As Krishna warns in the Bhagavadgita, pursuing pleasure makes you happy in the beginning, but it leads to pain in the end.
If eating makes you happy, more food won’t make you happier. The side effects of more food will make you physically uncomfortable, resulting in unhappiness.
If getting others to change would make you happy, working on them changing won’t make you happier. And it won’t make them happier either.
If lazy makes you happy, more laziness won’t work. Neither will more busy-ness. Spinning your wheels gets you nowhere. Even spinning your mental wheels gets you nowhere.
Sometimes the GPS offers me side roads to avoid road congestion. I could drive an extra 6 miles, with lots of confusing turns on tiny roads, so I could arrive at the same time. No, thank you. I know how to sit quietly and be responsive to the cars around me.
There’s the key! I know how to sit quietly. This is the key that opens the door to happiness.
I know how to listen in a conversation. I know how to watch the birds in the bird feeder without moving, so I don’t scare them away. I revel in watching a sunrise or sunset, especially when the colors splay across the sky for an hour or more. And if someone speaks to me, I can respond without losing my delight.
Centered, grounded, established within, while being responsive to others. This is yoga’s promise, that you will live in the inner fluidity of pure awareness, the awareness of your own Beingness.
I know how to lay in bed at night, basking in the stillness and the dark, even hoping I won’t fall asleep. I prefer consciousness to unconsciousness. The bliss is more tangible.
I have cultivated my ability to abide in stillness, which makes me able to abide in my own Self even when I am active. It’s the Self that matters, not the stillness nor the activity. It is the experience of your own Self that makes you happiest of all.
Relying on outer things to trigger happiness works sometimes. When it works, it’s because it triggered Self to arise within. Can you trigger Self to arise within anytime that you want? Yoga says yes.
Then the only question that remains is – when would you want Self to NOT be arising within? When would you choose to be unhappy? Too many people make this choice too much of the time. This year, make a better choice. Do more yoga.
