‘Jyoti’ means light and ‘Sar’ means the core meaning. Hence the name of place is a reference to the ‘core meaning of light’ or ultimately of God. It is one of the most revered holy sites of the holy city of Kurukshetra & of Hinduism. A Vat (Banyan tree) stands on a raised plinth. Local traditions say that this tree is an offshoot of the holy Banyan tree under which Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of Bhagavad Gita, the doctrine of Karma and Dharma to his wavering friend Arjuna. It is here that He showed his Virat Rup (Vishwarup)
It is at this place where Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna to remove his confusion and dilemma and prepared him to face stronger and greater warriors like Bhishma and Karna in the Mahabharata War. The banyan tree under which the Bhagavad Gita was delivered still stands today well maintained by the Government of Haryana.
This place is the Middle point of the Krukshetra War Field & Sri Krishna & Arjun on their Chariot stood between the Armies of the Pandavas & Kauravas. There was a gap of 2kms between the Armies while Krishna & Arjun stood between them.The Battle field of Kurukshetra spreads across the current towns/cities of Krukshetra, Karnal (Where Karna was killed), Sonipat & Panipat.
Jyotisar Tirth, which is part of 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra, has been renovated and enhanced by the Kurukshetra Development Board. A marble chariot depicting Krishna delivering the sermon to Arjuna marks the site of the Bhagavad Gita. The Place was recovered in the Early 7th Century AD by Adi Guru Shankaracharya & hence has a temple as well dedicated to him.
A Total of 18 Akshoni Sena (Army) fought in the battle, 11 Akshoni for the Kauravas & 07 Akshoni’s for the Pandavas. Below is the Break up of each Akshoni.
21870 rath/chairot (one rathi one sarthi/rider)
21870 elephant
109350 soldiers
65610 horses
One Akshoni is 2,18,700 (+21870 sarathis)
18 such sena died in the battle of Mahabharata, Akhanda Bharata was the entire Asia.
The Battle was so fierce & bloody that 80% of India’s male population was wiped out in those era & the River Saraswati which used to flow along side Kurukshetra, turned red for times to come. Even Sri Krishna’s famed Narayani Sena also perished & only one of his commanders survived Satyaki estimated 04 million people perished. And after the battle Sri Krishna & Yudhistir performed the Pind Dan of those departed soul in Pheowa, which we will cover in our upcoming episodes.
