In the Mahabharata, the end of the Yadavas is a tragic tale. All the Yadavas have died, Balarama passes away, and Shri Krishna also leaves his mortal body. After Dwarka is consumed by the sea, Arjuna takes the women and children to Hastinapur for their safety. On the way, bandits attack. Surprisingly, they overpower Arjuna, the ultimate warrior who had defeated great warriors like Bhishma, Drona, and Karna.
People often say Arjuna lost because Shri Krishna was not with him. However, two important points need consideration. First, Arjuna was a truly great warrior. He had defeated Bhishma, Drona, and Karna during the Virata battle without Shri Krishna by his side. His skills and valor were unquestionable.
Second, and more importantly, is the emotional aspect of Arjuna’s situation. Imagine the once-flourishing kingdom of Dwarka, where everyone was rich and powerful, now in ruins. The Yadavas killed each other in a drunken frenzy. Arjuna’s dearest friend, Shri Krishna, who had been with him for so long, was suddenly no more. The shock and grief must have been overwhelming.
Arjuna, a seasoned warrior, was also human. The emotional burden of seeing his friends and family dead, the destruction of a prosperous kingdom, and the loss of Shri Krishna would weigh heavily on anyone. In such a state of shock and sorrow, even a great warrior could falter.
Arjuna’s defeat was not due to Krishna’s absence but because he was overwhelmed by grief and shock. His heart was too heavy, his spirit too crushed to fight back effectively. Understanding Arjuna’s emotional turmoil gives deeper insight into this poignant moment.
Even Great Heroes are Humans after all.
P.S. – Those who know, know that “Those bandits were Eunuch.”