Why Did the Pandavas Suffer Losses in the War Despite Krishna's Support?

पितामहा मे समरेऽमरञ्जयै-
र्देवव्रताद्यातिरथैस्तिमिङ्गिलैः।
दुरत्ययं कौरवसैन्यसागरं
कृत्वातरन् वत्सपदं स्म यत्प्लवाः॥

In the Dashama Skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam, Raja Parikshit says: The Kaurava army was a huge ocean with whales such as Bhishmacharya. But with the grace of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, they crossed it as if it was just a small puddle, a small pool the size of a calf's hoof. The Pandavas were sons of Devas, but the Kauravas had the power to defeat even the Devas. Thus, the Pandavas were nothing in front of them in terms of strength. The Kauravas had 11 akshauhinis of army and the Pandavas had only 7. Parikshit accepts this.

Have you seen how huge whales jump out of water and then fall back? You must have seen in videos. They enjoy doing that. Every time they fall back, thousands of small fish and sea creatures die. Every time Atirathas such as Bhishmacharya and Dronacharya moved, thousands around them ended up dying. That is why war is called 'Samara' in Sanskrit. 'Mara' means death. 'Samara' means what involves death.

With the help of Bhagavan, the Pandavas could cross the ocean that was the Kaurava army as if it was a small pool. They won the war. But at what cost? Everybody from the Pandava side, except the five Pandavas and Satyaki, died in the war. All their sons were killed. Even though Bhagavan was on their side, this great loss happened. The Pandavas suffered immense losses in the war, including the death of almost all their allies and sons.

Do you know why? Because the Pandavas looked at Bhagavan as a powerful friend, not as the Almighty Bhagavan.

That was not the case with Uttara, Abhimanyu's wife. When Ashwatthama employed Brahmastra upon the foetus which was in her womb, Bhagavan went all out and protected it. Bhagavan had no option. Uttara surrendered to him. She took refuge in him. He had no option but to save the mother and the child. Uttara's surrender and refuge in Lord Krishna led to his intervention for her protection.

For Pandavas, he took on the role of a friend, advisor, ally – nothing more. It was not his fault. It was not the fault of Bhagavan. They didn't see him as Bhagavan. They looked upon him as a friend, an advisor, an ally. That's what they got. They didn't get the protection of the Sudarshana chakra. If they had surrendered to him as Bhagavan, not even one life would have been lost from the Pandava side and they would have got their kingdom also. Bhagavan would have worked in a different way. So it's up to you. What you ask for is what you get from him.

If you surrender to Bhagavan wholeheartedly, you get his unlimited grace and protection. The story highlights the importance of your perception of Bhagavan. The level of divine guidance and protection depends on how you look up to him. You should cultivate faith and trust in the divine. That will give you guidance and protection in challenging times. Expand your perception to recognize the divine presence in all aspects of life, not just in traditional religious contexts like pujas or festivals. You should find this presence in day-to-day activities even. Integrate spiritual principles into your daily life by aligning your actions with the divine will and values. Explore ways to surrender to Bhagavan more and more, even in those areas which you are holding on to as your own. Let go of resistance. This can foster profound personal growth and harmony in life.

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