Why did religious men like Bhishma and Karna side with Duryodhana in the Mahabharata?
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definition
"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."
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.
- Accept hardship without resentment while doing your duty as an instrument.
- Cultivate trust and humility when outcomes look unfavorable.
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