The conflict finally veered towards a full-scale war, when the Kauravas illegally appropriated the entire kingdom of Hastinapura, denying the Pandavas their legitimate share.

At this stage, both the Kauravas and the Pandavas sought the help of Krishna. He gave them a choice: “You can have either My army or Me. If you choose Me, I will not fight but only advise. Take your pick.” Duryodhana the representative of the Kauravas eagerly opted for Krishna’s army, while Arjuna the representative of the Pandavas sought with humility the moral support of Krishna.

Kurukshetra was chosen as the venue for the war, and both sides agreed on an elaborate code of war procedures. Just before the battle was about to commence, Arjuna was seized with a grave doubt: “Was it good to kill one’s own kith and kith for the sake of a mere kingdom?” He turned to Krishna his charioteer for advice, after first surrendering to Him completely. Thus came into existence the famous Bhagavad Gita, God’s Message to man. After hearing the Divine Words of Wisdom, Arjuna’s doubts were all dispelled and he entered battle to do his duty in the cause of Dharma.