FRIENDSHIP FRIES OR FLYIES

Friendship is one of the most common words and relationships known to one and all but its experience is reserved for the lucky few.

Mahabharat has instructions for both – one who has a friend and one who is a friend. If one wants to retain his friendship, its better not to seek any favour from a friend. And if one is a true friend, he must not hesitate to offer everything at his friend’s disposal. This is true friendship. Those who have should offer to those who need. And those who have not should not ask of those who have. It’s a complete circle.

One of the main reasons for the battle of Kurukshetra was the misunderstanding of Draupada and Drona. Drona expected many things from his friend and Draupada, on the other hand, did not understand the need of his school friend. Eventually, both of them and their families destroyed each other.

Karna and Duryodhan’’s friendship was based purely on fulfilling each other’s expectations. Duryodhan gave Karna what he desired – prestige and position and Karna gave Duryodhan fancied – his service and extraordinary skills. Consciously and subconsciously, both exploited each other. In fact, the war occurred because of their strong need. Duryodhana needed power to rule and Karna needed position to be recognized. Unfortunately, both died miserably trying to use each other – one consciously and the other subconsciouisly.

Friendship between Krishna and Arjuna existed on the platform of purity and nothing else.

Krishna asked Arjuna to choose Krishna, who would neither fight the war nor raise any weapon, instead of the Narayani Sena. In a normal world, it is an easy choice to make; anyone would choose the army. But Arjuna chose Krishna. Why? -Because he was simply looking for friendship. And in reciprocation, Krishna gave Himself to Arjuna, His wealth of knowledge in the form of the Gita, the power of His protection, and His willingness to break a promise to safeguard his friend. Result? –It was friendship, the real one, where both sides wanted to be used by the other consciously, not for themselves but to create a Dharmik governance.

Krishna and Arjuna’s was a true friendship. So choosing the right person for friendship is very important. It was the greatness of Sri Krishna to choose Arjuna as His friend and Arjuna felt most fortunate, grateful and humbled by this gesture of the Lord, feeling and knowing he didn’t deserve the privilege.

So what do we choose? Expectations or exploitations or extending ourselves for one another?