Valiant warriors who exhibit perseverance even while embracing death and their women teaching ‘Kshatra-Dharma’

Margashirsha Krushnapaksha 8, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

‘Thousands of young brave warriors embraced death in the battle of Panipat. Eighteen year old Vishwasrao preferred to die on battle field that extended from Lahore to Delhi and Yamuna to Narmada ! They did not budge even when calamites befell them. Such Marathi valour on the Panipat battle field ! From where did they get such strength ? Such determination and ‘Kshatra-Dharma’ even while embracing death ! From where was such power obtained ?

Examples

1. One chaste, faithful wife : She reprimands, ‘Jayaji Shinde had 4 daughters. If you were born like them, one more son-in-law would have come. You have taken upon yourself responsibility like a brave warrior; it is a very difficult task; but to maintain it, is Dharma-shastra!’ Death is inevitable. Death in motherland; nobody cares for foreigners or do not preserve them even if they die on our land. Nobody is immortal; but it is difficult to acquire glory in this world as glory remains. An opportunity to die like a brave warrior on battle field is fruitful culmination of life for men and women. One should show guts while fighting and embrace death, should be the resolve; as failure is worse than death !
2. Dattaji Shinde : Severely injured Dattaji Shinde has fallen on battle field and counting his last moments; but warns Najib Khan ‘If I stay alive, I will continue to fight (Bachenge to aur bhi ladenge)’. Real Kshatra-Dharma as taught in Bhagavat Geeta is ‘Hato va prapyase….’ means one goes to heaven if dies while fighting war and becomes Lord of the world if wins battle’. Being brave, fearless and self-respecting means Dattaji Shinde ! He says with self-respect, ‘Dharma of a Kshatriya is not to run away from battle field. If he does that, he loses both the sides; one side is torture and the other is failure which is worse than death; but one gets heaven on dying and that is the best thing to happen !’
3. Gautamabai : Gautamabai, wife of Malharrao firmly says to him when he is grieving, “Your days are numbered. Be brave while embracing death; why a woman needs to lament. Malharrao says, “You want me to die.” Gautamabai calmly says, “Why would one ask for widowhood; no woman would do that. Every woman wants to die while her husband is alive; but we are brave warriors, it is a difficult challenge and it should be taken up, is what our Dharma-shastra says”
4. Balwantrao Mehendale and his wife : Balwantrao Mehendale fighting a battle says to his wife, “If we are successful with God’s grace, it is good; but if that does not happen, we will meet in heaven.” On that, the great faithful, chaste wife says, “Good, one should die within hundred years; but if that happens in the battle, it will be very good; why should there be worry ? If you make a name for  yourself in this battle; I will not remain behind; I will join you.”
5. A mother following the custom of ‘Sati (sacrificing self on husband’s pyre)’ : Son on his mother’s lap, says, “Please do not leave me. You want to go with father, then whom do we go to for food and with whom would we sulk ?” The mother says, “Now ask God for food, sulk with God. Do not trap me in your love.” Saying this, she pushes away her son and gets ready to go with her husband on pyre.
6. Valour exhibited during the battle of Panipat
   1. Although defeat was clearly seen, Sadashivrao bhau fights till the end like a sun.
   2. Although beheaded, the body wants to fight; there are many such incidents of bravery !
   3. Women do not see face of such man who turns his back when attacked. How much to write about such brave women ?
7. Women preserving their chastity and are ready to die for protection of Dharma, have such burning strength only with their unfailing faith in Dharma

From where do these women, who are seen on battle field; ready to sacrifice life for their duty as a wife, duty towards husband or teaching righteousness to family, such memorable women, get their burning strength ? It is certainly in Sanatan Dharma that has ‘Shruti- Smruti’, Puranas’ etc.

– Gurudev Dr. Kate Swamiji (Ghanagarjit, November 2010)

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat