What If Mahabharat Wasn’t About War, But About the Pain of Being Unheard?
Noopur Bhatt | Apr 18, 2025, 07:00 IST
Everyone heard the flute, but no one truly listened. Krishna tried to guide with love, not force, but hearts clouded by ego and ignorance turned away. This isn't just mythology—it’s our reality too. How often do we ignore those who care, just because the truth feels uncomfortable? Read on to discover what we keep missing, even when wisdom whispers.
If every word of love, wisdom, and truth could change hearts, then the one who played the flute with such tenderness would’ve never witnessed a war like Mahabharata However, not everyone understands what is stated correctly. Our ego, attachments, or ignorance can sometimes render us insensitive to the wisdom that the divine whispers into our life. This article is about all of us, not only Krishna. About how, Despite the fact that they are right in front of us, we fail to see the most crucial lessons in relationships, love, and life.
Krishna addressed Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra with compassion, logic, and veracity. He begged for peace for the sake of all, not just himself. However, his insight was overshadowed by their vanity. We also do it, don't we? When pride takes over, we close our hearts. We hear, but we don't pay attention. We talk, but we don't comprehend. The true Mahabharat is not on the battlefield, but rather in the inside conflict between pride and understanding, ego and empathy, resistance and realisation.
When someone in a relationship gently points out our flaws, we frequently shut down, defend, or withdraw. However, Krishna never made Radha stay or placed restrictions on anyone. His love was understanding and silent power. True love waits patiently and speaks softly; it does not exert control. But we miss those small acts of kindness when we are driven by fear and insecurity. Sometimes we already have the affection we seek; it's just not as obvious. And occasionally, we lose it just because we weren't paying attention.
Even Krishna eventually stopped elaborating because even divine counsel goes unnoticed when egos emerge and hearts close. Those who remain silent are frequently worn out, not uninterested. They have communicated verbally, emotionally, and physically, but nothing has changed. They now expect that their silence will be more powerful than any explanation. Comprehending quiet is a unique form of empathy, the kind that perceives love in pauses and suffering in silence. Not everyone leaves; some simply cease to be heard.
Many of us, like Krishna, gently attempt to lead others we care about toward healing, peace, or clarity. But there is a silent pain when our words are dismissed. It is like not being seen at all when you are not heard. Loud fights seldom sever as many relationships as that silent heartbreak—the ache of being misunderstood. Because in our hearts, we want to be understood and felt, not to win. And even love starts to seem lonely when that is absent.
Listening means temporarily letting go of your ego and judgment. Since he had put down his weapons—his inner turmoil—Arjuna finally listened to Krishna when he spoke to him on the battlefield. Humility is necessary for listening in our daily life as well. Grace is when someone loves you enough to repeat an explanation. You should not ignore it.
Krishna didn't give up easily; he kept trying. "I know what dharma is, but I cannot follow it," Duryodhana continued. This is more profound than we realize because it demonstrates that knowledge by itself cannot transform us. The heart needs to be prepared. A person who chooses to remain sleeping cannot be roused, not even by the divine. For this reason, it is said that the instructor only shows up when the soul is prepared to listen. Even Krishna's flute will seem like stillness to a closed heart until then.
It was already too late when they realised Krishna was correct. Hearts had been broken, the conflict had raged, and where there had been laughing, there was now stillness. Life is often the same, isn't it? We regret not listening, not understanding, or simply pausing before pride took control. Most relationships fail because of delayed understanding rather than a lack of love. The harm is done by the time we decide to listen. And what's left is silent, painful regret rather than rage.
Once the storm within of you has subsided, will you be able to comprehend. Though it was only heard on the battlefield, Krishna expressed the same truth in the palace. Because genuine insight emerges when the spirit is ready and is not consumed by pride or rage. Silence awakens the senses; noise does not teach. The Gita was received rather than taught. Because you don't get understanding from anyone. You become aware of it after you've stopped arguing, mainly with yourself.
Let us not wait for someone to leave or break down to start paying attention. Let us not be like those who ignored Krishna’s voice and regretted it later. Let us listen deeply, compassionately, and humbly. Because sometimes, all it takes to save a relationship, a family, or even yourself, is to understand before it’s too late. We don’t always get second chances. Krishna’s flute was sweet, full of truth and love. But the world was too loud to hear it. In today’s chaos, can you be the one who listens—not just with ears, but with your heart?
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1. When Ego Blocks the Ears of Wisdom
Krishna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Krishna addressed Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra with compassion, logic, and veracity. He begged for peace for the sake of all, not just himself. However, his insight was overshadowed by their vanity. We also do it, don't we? When pride takes over, we close our hearts. We hear, but we don't pay attention. We talk, but we don't comprehend. The true Mahabharat is not on the battlefield, but rather in the inside conflict between pride and understanding, ego and empathy, resistance and realisation.
2. Love Speaks, But Fear Responds
young-woman
( Image credit : Pixabay )
When someone in a relationship gently points out our flaws, we frequently shut down, defend, or withdraw. However, Krishna never made Radha stay or placed restrictions on anyone. His love was understanding and silent power. True love waits patiently and speaks softly; it does not exert control. But we miss those small acts of kindness when we are driven by fear and insecurity. Sometimes we already have the affection we seek; it's just not as obvious. And occasionally, we lose it just because we weren't paying attention.
3. Silence Isn't Absence, It’s Deepest Expression
Krishna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Even Krishna eventually stopped elaborating because even divine counsel goes unnoticed when egos emerge and hearts close. Those who remain silent are frequently worn out, not uninterested. They have communicated verbally, emotionally, and physically, but nothing has changed. They now expect that their silence will be more powerful than any explanation. Comprehending quiet is a unique form of empathy, the kind that perceives love in pauses and suffering in silence. Not everyone leaves; some simply cease to be heard.
4. The Pain of Being Misunderstood
Misunderstood
( Image credit : Pexels )
Many of us, like Krishna, gently attempt to lead others we care about toward healing, peace, or clarity. But there is a silent pain when our words are dismissed. It is like not being seen at all when you are not heard. Loud fights seldom sever as many relationships as that silent heartbreak—the ache of being misunderstood. Because in our hearts, we want to be understood and felt, not to win. And even love starts to seem lonely when that is absent.
5. Listening Is More Than Hearing Words
judgment and ego for a moment.
( Image credit : Freepik )
Listening means temporarily letting go of your ego and judgment. Since he had put down his weapons—his inner turmoil—Arjuna finally listened to Krishna when he spoke to him on the battlefield. Humility is necessary for listening in our daily life as well. Grace is when someone loves you enough to repeat an explanation. You should not ignore it.
6. Why Repetition Doesn’t Guarantee Realisation
Krishna
( Image credit : Pexels )
Krishna didn't give up easily; he kept trying. "I know what dharma is, but I cannot follow it," Duryodhana continued. This is more profound than we realize because it demonstrates that knowledge by itself cannot transform us. The heart needs to be prepared. A person who chooses to remain sleeping cannot be roused, not even by the divine. For this reason, it is said that the instructor only shows up when the soul is prepared to listen. Even Krishna's flute will seem like stillness to a closed heart until then.
7. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
people
( Image credit : Pexels )
It was already too late when they realised Krishna was correct. Hearts had been broken, the conflict had raged, and where there had been laughing, there was now stillness. Life is often the same, isn't it? We regret not listening, not understanding, or simply pausing before pride took control. Most relationships fail because of delayed understanding rather than a lack of love. The harm is done by the time we decide to listen. And what's left is silent, painful regret rather than rage.
8. Understanding Comes from a Quiet Mind
Quiet mind
( Image credit : Pexels )
Once the storm within of you has subsided, will you be able to comprehend. Though it was only heard on the battlefield, Krishna expressed the same truth in the palace. Because genuine insight emerges when the spirit is ready and is not consumed by pride or rage. Silence awakens the senses; noise does not teach. The Gita was received rather than taught. Because you don't get understanding from anyone. You become aware of it after you've stopped arguing, mainly with yourself.
Let Us Be Better Listeners Before We Lose What Matters
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