Sarathi: The Eternal Guide
When we say Sarathi, we do not merely speak of a charioteer who drives horses in battle.
Sarathi itself is a sacred word:
Sara – the essence, the core, that which is truly valuable.
Thi – from the Sanskrit root stha, meaning to stand, to hold, to guide.
Thus, a Sarathi is not just one who holds reins in his hands, but one who holds the essence of life, guiding it towards its true course.
And when we hear the word Sarathi, one name rises immediately in our hearts : Shri Krishna.
Krishna is not merely an avatar of Mahavishnu.
He is the perfect embodiment of Mahavishnu, Mahakala, and Adi Shakti.
Even in the Sahasranamawali of Maa Kali, her 36th and 362nd names are Krishna—a reminder of this inseparable unity.
- *The Choice of Arjuna*
Let us return to that moment in the Mahabharata.
When both Arjuna and Duryodhana came to Krishna seeking help for war, a divine choice was laid before them.
Duryodhana, chose the Narayani Sena—the mighty army. He rejoiced, believing he had secured strength.
But Arjuna, the devotee(sadhaka) , chose Krishna himself.
He chose presence over power.
He chose Sarathi.
And from that choice blossomed the timeless Bhagavad Gita , not just a book of verses, but the eternal guide for every jiva wandering in Kaliyuga.
- *Why Sarathi Matters*
A warrior sees only the enemy before him.
But Sarathi sees the whole battlefield.
The warrior’s vision is narrow; Sarathi’s vision is complete.
Without Sarathi, even the strongest warrior is blind.
With a true Sarathi, even weakness becomes victory.
When clouds of doubt darkened Arjuna’s mind , it was Krishna the Sarathi who cleared them.
When despair made Arjuna lower his bow, it was Krishna who gave him wisdom to rise again.
Skill alone cannot win the Kurukshetra of life—
it is wisdom, guidance, and vision that turn battle into dharma.
- *Placing Your Ishta as Sarathi*
Now imagine, O Sadhaka, what happens when you place your Ishta as your Sarathi in the playground of life and death.
Every decision, every battle, every challenge becomes guided by the divine.
Your ego dissolves, and you become an instrument in your Sarathi’s hands.
Each Kurukshetra you face reveals to you a new Gita, whispered by your Sarathi into your soul.
Sometimes Sarathi tells you:
Lose this battle gracefully.
Sometimes: Fight fiercely.
Sometimes: Do not even waste your prana here.
- *The Modern Kurukshetra*
In this era of Kaliyuga, in 2025, we too stand in our own Kurukshetras
The battles may not be fought with arrows and swords,
but with doubts, choices, struggles, and desires.
And once again the eternal question arises
Will you choose Narayani Sena, or will you choose Krishna?
So Choose wisely.
Choose the Sarathi over power.
Choose the One who holds the reins of your soul.
BhairavaKalikeNamosthute
Jai Maa Adya
— Yash Trivedi"
- By Yash Trivedi" Shisya of Gurudev Shri Praveen Radhakrishnan