Narrator: Namo Shree Shree Guptasadhak Shyamakhapaye Namo. Greetings. We are beginning today's program from Shantikunj by paying our respects to Gurudev Guptasadhak Shree Shree Shyamakhapa. Come, let us all listen to the invaluable words of Gurudev.
Disciple: Gurudev, my salutations to you.
Gurudev: Blessings, my child. Tell me.
Disciple: Gurudev, in your previous videos and several times elsewhere, you have mentioned that the planetary situation before the Kurukshetra war was very similar to the planetary situation we are facing now. Could you please elaborate on that?
Gurudev: Oh, yes. I have mentioned this many times. The planetary position before the Kurukshetra war is quite similar to the current position. I say this based on Astronomy—specifically, Palmistry-Astronomy—not just Astrology. Astrology and Astronomy are two different things; they are not the same.
Gurudev: Before the Kurukshetra war, the positions of the planets—especially Rahu, Ketu, Mars (Mangol), the Sun (Robi), and Jupiter (Brihaspati)—were in a specific state. Jupiter was particularly weak (Neechostho) at that time. Now, this was 4,000 years ago, so exact replicas are hard to find, but from our studies, we can say the position was not good. Even now, astrologers say the position isn't good, though they hope for better times when the Sun or Jupiter moves into certain houses. But Astronomy tells a deeper story. To understand this, I have to talk a bit about the Puranas.
Disciple: We request you to please tell us.
Gurudev: Listen. When Gangaputra Bhishma, the eldest, made a vow that he would not sit on the throne of the Kauravas, he placed Dhritarashtra on the throne. But Dhritarashtra was blind from birth. They couldn't find a suitable bride for him because no one wanted to marry a blind king.
Gurudev: Bhishma sent people everywhere. Finally, someone came and said, "Sir, a woman has been found. She is beautiful and virtuous. Her name is Gandhari, from Gandhara (which is modern-day Afghanistan)." Bhishma realized that if they asked her parents directly, they might refuse because Dhritarashtra was blind. So, he attacked Gandhara, took Gandhari by force, and brought her to the Kaurava household.
Gurudev: Later, the marriage took place. But Bhishma did something else—he took Gandhari's parents and brothers and imprisoned them in a place in the Thar Desert. According to royal prisoner rules, food was sent, but it was only enough for one person. There were many of them. They began to wither away from hunger.
Gurudev: Then, Shakuni's father said, "Look, we are going to die anyway. Let only one person eat this food. You must survive to take revenge on the Kauravas and destroy Hastinapur." So, Shakuni ate while his parents and brothers died of starvation before his eyes. Shakuni was left alone, filled with pain. Later, he used his father's bones to create dice that would "speak"—meaning they would always land exactly as he commanded. We have mentions of such things in Tantra as well.
Gurudev: Years later, when Duryodhana grew up, he asked his mother, Gandhari, if anyone from her family was still alive. She told him about his uncle Shakuni in the Thar Desert. Duryodhana went there and found him. Shakuni pretended to be happy to see his nephew, but his heart was set on destruction. He moved into the palace, and he became Duryodhana's chief advisor.
Gurudev: On the other side were the five Pandavas. Krishna was with them because the war was between Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness). Krishna advised the Pandavas, "Don't go for a full-scale war. Just ask for five villages." Duryodhana, fueled by Shakuni's counsel, replied: "Vina juddhe nahi dibo suchagro medini" (I will not give as much land as can be held on the tip of a needle without a war).
Gurudev: Krishna realized war was inevitable. Two days before the war, Krishna hid the Pandavas. Spies told Duryodhana and Shakuni that the Pandavas had fled. In those days, there was a tradition: whoever declared war first would win. Shakuni urged Duryodhana, "Declare war tomorrow morning!"
Gurudev: Now, three people knew the history of the previous births: Bhishma, Sanjay, and Vidura. But Duryodhana listened only to Shakuni. He declared war on a day that was a heavy Amavasya (New Moon) and under Rikta Yoga. Rikta means "empty-handed." Because he started the war under that "empty" influence, he returned empty-handed—destroyed.
Gurudev: Krishna knew the planetary positions. He knew millions would die. When Arjuna hesitated, saying he couldn't kill his kin, Krishna said, "You don't have the power to kill. I have already killed them; you are merely an instrument." He saw the planetary alignment—the famine, the war, the massive loss of life. And indeed, the Kurukshetra war lasted 18 days and cost millions of lives from many nations.
Gurudev: Vidura, who was the God of Justice (Dharmaraj) in a previous birth, also knew this. He had been cursed by Brahma to be born into a house of unrighteousness and eat the food of "sin." That is why he only ate simple grains (khud) and never the royal food.
Gurudev: Today, the planetary positions are very similar. Astrologers say things will improve by the 14th when the Sun and Jupiter move, but based on Astronomy, I see millions dying. Think about it—once this lockdown is lifted, what will people eat? Where are the jobs? What if the government extends it for six months? It's a dark time.
Gurudev: Mercury (Budh), which provides intelligence, was weak during the Kurukshetra war, which is why Duryodhana couldn't make wise decisions. "Viporit buddhi" (perverted intellect) takes over during bad times. We see the same patterns now with Saturn, Mars, and the Sun. I mention Kurukshetra because the planetary "setup" for mass destruction is repeating.
Disciple: Gurudev, you mentioned Jupiter is weak. What is the effect of that?
Gurudev: Jupiter is the Guru of the Gods; he is our protector. If he is weak, our protection is gone. The Sun will move, Mars will move, but Saturn's influence is heavy right now. Krishna saw this 4,000 years ago. He knew the war was necessary to end the unrighteousness, even at a great cost. The war of Dharma against Adharma always has a heavy price.
Disciple: Friends, we just heard a very valuable explanation from Gurudev. He often compares our current times to the era of the Kurukshetra war based on planetary positions. Please subscribe to the Guptasadhak Shyamakhapa YouTube channel, like the videos, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev: Blessings to you all.
Narrator: You were listening to the words of Gurudev Guptasadhak Shree Shree Shyamakhapa. Let us know how you liked it. To hear more of Gurudev's invaluable words regularly, please subscribe, like, share, and comment on the Shyamakhapa channel.
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Narrator: With respect to Gurudev and wishing you all his blessings and well-being, we conclude today's program. Stay well. Namaskar.