Quixotique

His father is limned by the setting sun. A power so vast radiating from him that Abhimanyu thinks he should be afraid. Everyone is, cowering in a mad scramble to get away from the blast radius, to escape the wrath of Jishnu but Abhimanyu feels nothing but peace. Safety.

or

Summary:

Arjun shrugs, a languid roll of gold draped shoulders as he climbs to his feet. “I told you to go for his left.”

“I did go for his left.” Ashwatthama snaps. Sometimes, more than being cursed with eternity, being saddled with this nightmare, this Arjun with his bright impish eyes and glowing youth is worse.

or

Ashwatthama looses a Karna and gains an Arjun.

_

For those who don’t know: when Krishna suggests the double cross of killing Ashwatthama the elephant, Arjun point blank refuses to cooperate. After Yudhishtir speaks the dooming lie, Drona has a breakdown, almost destroys the universe, feels terrible about it and then drops all his weapons at which point he’s beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna, much to Arjun’s protest.

After this Arjun rails against Yudhishtir and Dhrishtadyumna which is about the only time the high command of the Pandava army are all at odds with one another (usually the status quo of the Kaurava army where everyone mindlessly hates each other, the Pandavas however were always a unit). Arjun’s emotions are all over the place throughout the war but it comes out most prominently over here. Arjun believes the rules shouldn’t have been broken. Dhrishtadyumna believes the ends justify the means in a war like the Kurukshetra, especially after Abhimanyu.

Arjun of all people saying “I have no rights over you Krishna, only friendship” and Krishna going “I am not a throne. I accept the love of anyone who claims a right to me.” To ARJUN. Arjun who is one of the most adorably demanding of all of those who loved Krishna? Arjun who never badgered Krishna for attention or affection but basically considered it his god given right?

These are not the kind of conversations Krishna and Arjun have 😭💀 if there’s anything both of them absolutely take for granted it’s each other!!! It’s common knowledge that they prioritise each other above all else to the point that their enemies don’t even consider counting one apart from the other?!?? Like does THIS seem like a casual coworker relationship to ANYONE-

‘Sanjaya said, “O king! O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Listen to me and I will tell you how I found Krishna and Dhananjaya and what those two brave ones said. O king! After purifying myself, I entered the quarters of those gods among men, looking at my toes and joining my hands in salutation. Abhimanyu and the twins are not allowed entry into the abode where the two Krishnas, and Krishna and the beautiful Satyabhama, reside. Both of them were drunk with liquor and both had their bodies smeared with sandalwood. They wore garlands, excellent garments and were adorned with divine ornmanets. The two destroyers of enemies were seated on a large and golden couch, which was covered with many carpets. I saw that Keshava’s feet were on Arjuna’s lap, while the great-souled Arjuna’s were on Krishna (Draupadi) and Satya.

- BORI 721(58)

THIS guy. This guy of all people does not feel comfortable making demands of Krishna? This is the guy who Krishna only tolerates for the purposes of maybe perhaps hopefully potentially winning a war?

Alone on a single chariot, he defeated gods, men and serpents. That youthful one is now a dancing master for King Virata’s daughter. The one with the infinite soul satisfied the fire god in Khandava. Partha has now gone to the inner quarters, like a fire covered in a well. He was a bull among men and enemies were always frightened of him. Dhananjaya is now in a form that is despised by the world. Enemies trembled at the twang of his bow and the slapping of his palms. He now pleases women with the sweet sounds of his singing. A diadem that was like the sun always adorned his head. Dhananjaya’s unkempt hair is now braided. All the celestial weapons are known to that great-souled one. He is the repository of all knowledge and now wears earrings. Thousands of kings, whose energy was unlimited, could not cross him and overcome him in battle, just as the great ocean does not cross the shoreline. That youthful one is now a dancing master for King Virata’s daughter. He hides himself in disguise and serves the daughter. O Bhima! The earth, with its mountains and forests and mobile and immobile objects, trembled at the roar of his chariot. He is the immensely fortunate one whose birth destroyed Kunti’s sorrow. O Bhimasena! I now sorrow over your younger brother. He is adorned in golden ornaments and earrings and sports conch shells in his hands. On seeing him approach, my mind is immersed in sorrow. O Bhima! The archer Dhananjaya wears his unkempt hair in a braid. O Bhima! On seeing him surrounded by young maidens, my mind is immersed in sorrow. He is equal to a god. When I see Partha surrounded by young maidens, in the midst of musical instruments, like a bull-elephant in rut surrounded by she-elephants, and in the service of Virata, king of the Matsyas, who pays him, I can no longer see any of the directions. Surely the arya does not know the difficulties Dhananjaya has to confront, or those that Ajatashatru is immersed in, having become addicted to evil gambling.

The angry and intolerant Jaya, the destroyer of the nivatakavachas, was established in victory and truth. He desired to accomplish his great vow. He was armoured. Kiriti wielded a sword that was embellished with gold. His armour and garments were white. He sported a sword and wore beautiful earrings. Nara, with Narayana, was stationed on a supreme chariot. Shaking Gandiva in battle, he was as resplendent as the rising sun.

Vidur: “No bribe can part Krishna from Arjun. Arjun is not Krishna’s friend, he’s Krishna’s very breath.”

Episode 64: https://youtu.be/5fHhWT26GLQ?si=enWfGJj__Joc8ye2

Time Stamp: 27:49

Then again, which intelligent person will fight with Krishna Pundarikaksha, who is superior to the three worlds? His wives, relatives, kin, his own self and the earth are on one side and Dhananjaya alone on the other. The invincible Vasudeva, in control of his soul, is where the Pandava is. His (Arjuna’s) forces, impossible for the earth to withstand, are where Keshava is. O son! Abide by the words your virtuous well-wishers have spoken for your welfare.