Cosmic Chats · Episode 01
Why Dau Took a Walk
in which the elder brother and the younger brother finally talk about Kurukshetra
Dwarka. Late evening. Two brothers, one balcony, the sea below.
B
Balram
*plough resting against the wall*
Kanha. You called me here to talk, or to ambush me with a question I have been avoiding for eighteen years?
K
Krishna
Dau, I only asked how the tirtha-yatra was. You are the one who heard a question inside it.
B
Balram
Hmph. Fine. Ask properly then.
K
Krishna
Achha. Why did you leave for pilgrimage when the world's biggest war was about to begin in our own family?
B
Balram
Because I taught the gada to both Duryodhan and Bhima. Both are my students. You tell me — which side should the guru pick?
PAUSE
K
Krishna
Dharma was clearly on one side, Dau. Draupadi's vastraharan alone settled it.
B
Balram
Dharma yes. But adharma had a face I had fed with my own hands. Neutrality was not cowardice, Kanha. It was the only honest thing I could offer.
K
Krishna
*soft smile*
I know, Dau. That is why I never argued with you then.
B
Balram
Then why are we arguing now?
K
Krishna
We are not arguing. We are showing kalyug that two people who love each other can disagree about dharma and still share a balcony.
B
Balram
...you planned this entire conversation, didn't you.
K
Krishna
Dau. I plan everything. That is literally my job.
[somewhere, Narad's veena hums in approval]
End