KRISHNA<span> Dearmost friend of great Yudhisthira, heir to the throne, life and soul of Arjuna his brother besides, nevertheless Krishna was playing a role of His own – somehow still kept connections with kings on both sides.</span><span>His promise was thus: to abstain from the fight, to forego use of weapons, restraining His might, instead offering each cousin His presence alone, OR His army without Him; each make his choice known!</span><span>Wasn’t hard to predict Durydhana’s choice. Quintessential materialist, greedy for gain, he grabbed Krishna’s army and gloated (in vain). But Arjuna and Yudhisthira loved Krishna pure, could not live life without Him no matter the price, saw Him greater than armies, and chose Him for sure.</span><span>Only love without motive can conquer His heart. This mysterious Krishna, Whom nobody knows, called Arjuna His friend, and to relish the part, He forgot royal codes; lowly service He chose.</span><span>Though His prowess with weapons was known far and wide – in fact He controls how the atoms collide – all He wanted to hold in His lotus-like hands were the reins of the chariot Arjuna commands.</span><span> </span>
Over time the Chinese government developed a mechanism known as the “tribute system” to deal with the outside world. Under this system a tribute state accepted its vassal status to the Chinese and was required to exchange envoys and gifts, monitor foreign trade, and handle diplomatic relations.
Britain and France, which should have come to the aid of the Chinese, were facing their own economic and military problems at the time, and did nothing. There was very little resistance.
