[5-1] Paandav's 12-year exile period was over, their one year period of Agyaatvaas was also completed successfully. So all sat down to talk about the future of Paandav after the marriage of Abhimanyu to Uttaraa. Krishn stated all the events since the time they lost everything in dice game till now. He said - "War is always the last resort for anything. If everything can be solved with peace it is always better, War is not just for one's own selfish interest. Vows are nothing in comparison to human values. So if we can get peace only by sending a peace messenger, it is very cheap."Although Duryodhan's intentions are not known to us, I would suggest that some high-born person should be sent to Hastinaapur and he should ask for their half kingdom on his behalf peacefully." 

Balaraam stood and said - "You have heard my brother Krishn, He has said everything righteous. When Yudhishthir has sacrificed his half kingdom, then Duryodhan should also sacrifice his half kingdom. So some responsible person should go to Hastinaapur to do this job. He must plead the cause of Yudhishthir. He must first greet all elders, he must talk respectfully even to Shakuni and Karn. He must be very polite to Duryodhan and his brothers too. He must not oppose Duryodhan and he must not provoke the king."

All could sense some favor to Duryodhan in his talks. Saatyaki said - "There is no fault of Yudhishthir here, why should he ask for his rights humbly? Why should he beg for his rights? Your disciple is unrighteous by saying that he had seen Arjun before their exile period was over. Everybody knows this is wrong. I know Duryodhan very well. Let me go there, I will fight with that man. Is there anyone who can withstand Arjun, or Krishn or me? Who can fight with our team - Paandav, Abhimanyu, Dhrishtdyumn, etc. If they do not bow their heads at the feet of Yudhishthir, they should all go to Yam Lok. Either Dhritraashtra should return their kingdom immediately or face the consequences."

Everybody supported Saatyaki. Then Drupad got up and said - "Saatyaki said rightly. I also have my all doubts that Duryodhan is going to return Paandav's kingdom easily. If we used soft words then they will think that Paandav are weak and do not want to fight. We must gather our people and get ready for war. But at the same time, I will send my family priest as a messenger. He is a good noble man born from a good family. Only that he should be advised as how he will behave there."

Krishn approved Drupad's proposal and said - "It is good that he has given us his frank opinion. As for us, we are equally related to both Paandav and Kaurav. Here we had been invited to attend Abhimanyu's wedding, the wedding is over so now we should return to Dwaarakaa. The king Viraat has honored us, we feel happy. Drupad has taken charge of the situation. I am sure that Drupad's action will be approved by Bheeshm and Drone too. Let us all hope for peace but if it doesn't happen then Yudhishthir, you will send for all of us too along with others." Krishn etc went away to Dwaarakaa, and Yudhishthir and Drupad got busy in making preparations for war. They sent messages to their friend kings to be ready for war which could break out any time. Duryodhan also came to know about this so he also started gathering people. Thus some kings were going to Hastinaapur, and some were going to Matsya Desh.

Drupad trained his priest very well to go to Hastinaapur. Since Dhritraashtra was under the control of his son, he was strictly instructed to address Dhritraashtra only. He said to him - "Your words  may not influence Dhritrashtra but at least they will affect Vidur, Bheeshm and Drone's minds. You are not going to plead for anything, just state the facts. They must consider their behavior as unjust that is my aim. Now you go as soon as possible to Hastinaapur. Time your departure under the Pushya Nakshatra (constellation) and Jaya part of the day." As Krishn and Balaraam left for Dwaarakaa, Arjun also set out to Dwaarakaa.

Help From Krishn

On Kaurav's side, Duryodhan also sent his secret agents to find out about Paandav's activities. As he came to know that Krishn had left for Dwaarakaa, Duryodhan also set out for Dwaarakaa. Both, Arjun and Duryodhan arrived in Dwaarakaa on the same day.

When they arrived there they came to know that Krishn was sleeping at that time. Duryodhan entered the room and sat on a fine seat at the head of the bed and waited for His waking up. After him came Arjun who stood at Krishn's feet by touching His feet by his head, with his folded hands and closed eyes waiting for His waking up.

When Krishn woke up, He first saw Paarth, so He asked him about his journey. Arjun said - "Only sometime before." Then Duryodhan greeted Him, Krish asked the same question to Duryodhan also. Duryodhan said - "Only sometime before." Krishn asked then the reason to come there. Duryodhan said cheerfully - "You have to help me in war. Arjun and I both are your friends, and we have same relationship with you. And today I have come first. The right-minded people take up the matter of that man first who comes first to them." Krishn said - "I have no doubt that you have come first, but I have seen Arjun first. There is no doubt that I will help you both, but Arjun is younger to you, so he should have the first choice. There are 100 billion (10 Crore) cowherd rivaling me in strength, they are called Naaraayan; and there is me who resolve not to fight in the battlefield laying down all my arms. So Arjun, you select first who you want?"

Arjun said - "Hey Krishn, I came to ask your help only, what I will do of your Naaraayanee army? I only need you." Duryodhan got very happy to hear this, but without showing this, he said - "Then I accept your Naaraayanee army." He thought what Krishn will be of help if He has no weapon to fight. After this Duryodhan went to see Daaoo (Balaraam). Balaraam said - "Duryodhan, You must remember what I said in Viraat Nagar. For your sake I contradicted Krishn but Krishn and Saatyaki have gone against me. Now you say that Krishn is with Paandav? I am sorry for that. But I cannot leave my brother who is a part of me, so I cannot be with you and fight with my own brother. Go and fight like a true Kshatriya, and do not bring shame to your house in which you are born."

Duryodhan left with tears in his eyes. Balaraam was also sorry for him. He knew Duryodhan's fate when Krishn had decided to be on Paandav's side, but he could not help him. The moment Arjun chose Krishn, Krishn became the master of ceremonies. Balaraam saw it with His inner eye. He knew it was of no use to think about it. Duryodhan also knew that Krishn was not on his side, still he considered Arjun defeated. After that Duryodhan went to Kritvarmaa. He gave him his one Akshauhinee army.

When Duryodhan had left, Krishn asked Arjun - "Why did you choose me? I will be alone and that also without arms. You should have chosen my Naaraayanee army." Arjun laughed loudly and said - "What I will do of your Naaraayanee army? Who cares what happens in the war? How does it matter that who fight from whose side? There is no doubt that you are capable to kill all, but I can do it that myself also. But I wanted you only, that is why I chose you. And I request you to become my Saarathee. You will take the reins of my white horses. Although it will not only be reins for everybody, but it will be the scepter of Dharm to establish Dharm in this sinful world. Besides, my name will be immortal in this world because after this you will be known as Paarthaasaarathee. And I will be known as the man to whom Bhagavaan Himself took to battlefield." And Arjun left for Upaplavya where Paandav were living.

Note: According to Subramaniam's Mahabharata

Krishn was very happy to hear Arjun. He took him by his right hand and led him inside the palace. Saatyaki was waiting for them. He told all what had happened. Then He said - "Look Saatyaki, This Arjun took my right hand and invited defeat for himself." Saatyaki took a sigh of relief and said - "Thank God, Everything has turned out according to our wishes. But Krishn, Duryodhan has gone to Balaraam from here. What if Balaraam fights from his side? Kritvarmaa has already decided to be with Duryodhan." Krishn said - "Don't worry, Balaraam will not fight in the battlefield."

Krishn suggested to Arjun that he should also get blessings of Daaoo. Arjun went to see Daaoo, but Daaoo said to Arjun - "War is not good among brothers, therefore I have not blessed Duryodhan for victory, nor I will bless you for victory."

Krishn further said - "This Shakuni is the mastermind of all this. He must have thought that my friendship is necessary for Duryodhan, that is why he sent him to me, but he doesn't know that he asked only the skin of the fruit, its flesh is with Arjun. I am happy that I was saved from saying "No" to Duryodhan by Arjun's presence. If I had not seen Arjun first, I don't know what would I have done in that case?" Saatyaki said -"I know you. You would have said that "I have already decided to help Paandav that is why I am not available to you. By this course of events you are only saved to say this to Duryodhan, that is all."

Krishn smiled and said - "It seems that today everyone seems to know me except myself. Arjun said "I know you", now you say that "I know you". Earlier Balaraam also said "I know you, Krishn. You are bent up on seeing this war happen. You have already decided to kill all Kaurav and Karn. Duryodhan is a good boy, but the world will remember only his dice game and the exile of Paandav. I wish someone like me had gone to Hastinaapur to convince him to give Paandav's kingdom to them, but now nothing can be done. A wrong person has been sent. The dice is thrown again but this time against Kaurav. Before Shakuni played that treacherous dice, this time you did, Krishn. I know what is going to happen to Duryodhan and Karn. Let us not discuss it anymore. But I am going to stay away from this war."

Krishn said - "Saatyaki, Balaraam is not happy at all, but I am not sorry for them. It is true what Balaraam said that only one event has covered his all good qualities but this is also true that what he has done with Paandav cannot go unpunished. Bheem's oath cannot go false. All these are predestined. I hate war and so does Yudhishthir, but I cannot help, although I will try my best. But now let us go to Yudhishthir, he must be waiting for us."

When it was all over, then Krishn suggested His last advice to Paandav - "If you have trust in me, then I want to go to Hastinaapur as the Peace Messenger." Raajaa Viraat said - "Who can distrust you Keshav?" When Draupadee heard this that Krishn was going to Hastinaapur as Peace Messenger, she stopped Him from going as Peace Messenger reminding her insult. Krishn said - "But still peace is peace, I have to go."