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Osho on Why did religious men like Bhishma and Karna side with Duryodhana in the Mahabharata?

Why did religious men like Bhishma and Karna side with Duryodhana in the Mahabharata?

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A truly religious person surrenders completely to life, standing where the divine places him, even in darkness and defeat, for in that surrender lies the essence of truth.

— Osho
Synthesized from Source definition
Core Insight:
According to Osho, Bhishma (and similar religious men) sided with Duryodhana not from confusion or complicity but from total surrender. A truly religious person has no personal will; he stands wherever life, the divine, places him—even amid darkness and certain defeat. Bhishma knew truth lay with the Pandavas, yet accepted the harder station, exemplifying supreme surrender; hence Krishna honored him.
They didn’t choose sides; they let God’s will place them, proving surrender by staying even on the hard, losing side.
Why this matters practically
- Practice surrender beyond personal preferences, especially in tough situations.
- Accept hardship without resentment while doing your duty as an instrument.
- Cultivate trust and humility when outcomes look unfavorable.
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