Devotee: Another question. All these people had Hasthinapura as their capital. In people, which is the Hasthinapura?
There,
both the Kauravas and the Pandavas were born; they played and were trained there; they grew up together there.
So also, in this same Asthinapura, all the qualities, good and bad, are born and grow, they develop and subside,
they watch and hate each other, all in the same body. Are not the warring rulers in this body also the Unwise Personality and the Wise Personality?
Devotee: Yes, Swami. There is an intimate connection between the Mahabharatha war and the qualities and conduct of humanity. Really, the relationship is there, without a doubt. What a fine comparison! As you said, this type
of warfare is taking place in everyone, even now. Well Swami, when will this war end?
Swami: When will this war end, you ask? When both bad and good qualities fade out and humanity becomes
quality-less; only then can people have peace (santhi).
Devotee: At that time, this battle field, this City of Bones (Asthinapura), won’t exist, will it?
Swami: When there is a battle, there must be a battle field. When you have no battle, why bother about a field?
Devotee: Can’t we avoid the battle altogether?
Swami: Why not? Kings develop the spirit of war because
they have confidence in their subjects. The subjects encourage the rulers to unleash the hounds of war.
Delusions are the subjects, who push the individual into the battle.
When there is a paucity of such subjects, war will not be waged. So divest yourself of such subjects as delusions,
illusions, and feelings of “I” and “Mine” and you can be at peace, enjoying undisturbed divine peace (santhi).
My boy! You can go now! Wait! Let me tell you one thing: entertaining doubts of all kinds is also a delusion!
Strive to be free from even this trait! Well, go and come some time later.
