Bhishmas Five Golden Arrows

Dadi: "Beta, do you know why it's important to keep your promises, even to people you don't like?"

Guddu: "Because promises are important, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Exactly! Let me tell you about a time when keeping a promise saved five lives - and how Lord Krishna's cleverness made it happen."

Guddu: "Lord Krishna was clever? Tell me more!"

Dadi: "This story begins during the Pandavas' thirteen-year exile in the forest. One day, their cousin Duryodhana came to show off his wealth near where the poor Pandavas were staying."

Guddu: "That's so mean! Why would he do that?"

Dadi: "Because Duryodhana was filled with pride and jealousy, beta. He wanted to make the Pandavas feel bad. But his showing off got him into trouble! While he was bathing in a pond, some celestial beings called Gandharvas arrived and a fight broke out."

Guddu: "Did Duryodhana win?"

Dadi: "No! Despite being a skilled warrior, he was defeated and captured. Can you guess who came to rescue him?"

Guddu: "The Pandavas?"

Dadi: "Yes! Arjuna himself came and defeated the Gandharvas, freeing his cousin. Now, Duryodhana was a Kshatriya - a warrior - and warriors have a code of honor. He had to offer Arjuna a boon in return."

Guddu: "What did Arjuna ask for?"

Dadi: "Here's the clever part - Arjuna said: "I don't need anything right now. I'll ask for my gift later, when I need it.""

Guddu: "Ohhh, he saved it for later!"

Dadi: "Exactly, beta. Years passed, and the great war began. The Kauravas were losing badly, and Duryodhana was desperate. One night, he accused Bhishma, his own grandsire, of not fighting hard enough because he secretly loved the Pandavas."

Guddu: "Was that true?"

Dadi: "Bhishma did love the Pandavas, but the accusation made him furious. To prove his loyalty, he took five golden arrows and chanted powerful mantras over them. He put all his years of penance and spiritual power into those arrows."

Guddu: "What made them special?"

Dadi: "These arrows would never miss their target. Once released, they would definitely kill the five Pandava brothers - Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Certain death!"

Guddu: "Oh no! What happened?"

Dadi: "Duryodhana, not fully trusting Bhishma, asked to keep the arrows overnight. "I'll return them in the morning," he promised. Bhishma agreed."

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "Meanwhile, Lord Krishna - who knows the past, present, and future - learned about these deadly arrows through his spies. He immediately called Arjuna."

Guddu: "What did Krishna tell him?"

Dadi: ""Remember that boon Duryodhana owes you? The one you saved from years ago? Now is the time to use it. Go to him right now and ask for those five golden arrows!""

Guddu: "That's so smart!"

Dadi: "Arjuna went to Duryodhana's camp that very night. When he asked for the five golden arrows, Duryodhana was shocked! But he was bound by his warrior's honor."

Guddu: "Did he give them?"

Dadi: "He asked Arjuna: "How did you know about these arrows? Who told you?""

Guddu: "What did Arjuna say?"

Dadi: "Arjuna smiled and said: "Who else but Shri Krishna could have known?""

Guddu: "What did Duryodhana do?"

Dadi: "Being a man of his word, Duryodhana handed over the five arrows. His honor was more important to him than winning the war. But after Arjuna left, Duryodhana thought deeply. All the wise sages said Krishna was the Supreme God. "Maybe they are right," he thought, and he secretly knelt and said a prayer to Krishna."

Guddu: "Even Duryodhana prayed to Krishna?"

Dadi: "In that moment, yes. The next morning, Duryodhana confessed to Bhishma and asked for another set of powerful arrows."

Guddu: "Could Bhishma make more?"

Dadi: "Bhishma laughed sadly. "That is not possible, child. I spent all the merit of my lifetime of celibacy and spiritual practice on those five arrows. I cannot make more. Krishna, being the Supreme Lord who knows all, has saved the Pandavas.""

Guddu: "So the Pandavas were safe?"

Dadi: "Yes! But Bhishma promised to fight like a lion the next day. And he did! He fought so fiercely that Lord Krishna himself had to break his vow of not fighting - he picked up a chariot wheel and charged at Bhishma to protect Arjuna!"

Guddu: "Krishna broke his own promise?"

Dadi: "To save his devotee, yes. But that's another story, beta."

Guddu: "What does this story teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "So many things, beta. First, always keep your promises - Duryodhana gave up certain victory because his word was sacred to him. Second, save your favors for when you truly need them - Arjuna's patience was rewarded. And third, divine grace works in mysterious ways. Krishna's wisdom turned Duryodhana's own honor into the Pandavas' salvation."

Guddu: "I'll always keep my promises, Dadi, even if it's hard!"

Dadi: "That's my good beta. A person's word is their most precious possession. Guard it well."