In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Vyaasa thundering to Yudishtra that there is going to be a huge disaster, which is going to span for the next thirteen years, and that, Yudishtra is the sole person who is going to be responsible for all what is going to happen henceforth. As Sage Vyaasa thunders thus, he quickly leaves the place in a hurry! It seemed as if Sage Vyaasa had exclusively come to Indraprastha to signal a grave warning to Yudishtra and Co. As Sage Vyaasa left Indraprastha thus, Yudishtra could not understand what was going on and what was conspiring behind the scenes. Readers should remember that this is precisely the same time when Duryodhana also was there at Indraprastha after the Raaja-Suya Yaaga to have a look at the magnificent palace there. During yesterday’s episode, we had also decoded what Sage Vyaasa meant by the two sentences that he uttered. The thirteen-year-period was none other than the upcoming twelve-year “Vana-Vaasa” plus one year of “Agnyaatha Vaasa”, post the gambling fiasco. Moreover, the mass destruction that he meant, signifies the Kurukshetra war that was about to happen at the end of the thirteenth year. All of us know what happened in that.
As we’re discussing this segment, we might have two questions within us – Why is Sage Vyaasa “indirectly” hinting about some future happenings everytime and not telling things directly on the face? Secondly, why should Yudishtra take all the blame on himself inspite of Duryodhana being the hub for all “Adharma” that is going to unfold, including Draupati’s “Vastra-Apaharanam”? What was Yudishtra’s fault here? He is an epitome of “Dharma” isn’t it? If that’s the case, why should Yudishtra take the blame for all that is happening? We shall discuss the answers for these two queries today. The first question that we’ve to see an answer is why Sage Vyaasa indirectly warns Yudishtra everytime to be careful and not directly on his face. In fact, we’ve witnessed this same sort of approach followed by Sage Vyaasa earlier as well. Readers might remember that during the first “Vana-Vaasa” of the Paandava brothers after the “Laaksha Griha” fiasco, Sage Vyaasa met them multiple times in the forest. During every meeting, Sage Vyaasa gives out signals – For instance, it was Sage Vyaasa who had hinted Yudishtra and Co. to proceed towards Drupada Desha and to participate in Draupati’s Svayamvara. He indirectly explained who Draupati was and how she has obtained a boon to marry five husbands! Although he mentioned “five husbands”, he never mentioned that these five people are going to be none other than the five Paandava brothers! Sage Vyaasa stopped short of revealing more on this, which, eventually the Paandavas themselves found out as time progressed. Readers might remember all of these instances, and if required, readers can browse through our previous episodes for a quick recollection.
The reason why Sage Vyaasa does so is very simple – Normally great Sages and “Mahatmas” would never give their disciples the full picture of anything that they teach us. They would only give an overall input and with this, we’ve to apply that input in our lives to find out things for ourselves. Even today’s education system does the same isn’t it? For instance, if we learn Mathematics or Physics or any course in Commerce, Accounting or even Management too, the teacher / professor would only teach the overall concept / subject and would leave the application part for us to solve and check, isn’t it? It is we who’ve to take the step forward in proactively solving problems pertaining to the concept and see the applicability of the concepts in real-life problems. This is how we learn. Not everything can be taught by the teacher inside the four walls of the classroom. This is why, in today’s academic domain, “Self-learning” occupies a paramount position in the “Learning curve” of a student at any level – Be it in school or a university. Thus, this is exactly what Sage Vyaasa does here too – He only gives the overall concept that there is going to be a great disaster in the making for the next thirteen years. Now, it is for Yudishtra to apply all his learnings that he had gained over the past so many years pertaining to “Dharma” and come out of the disaster without getting trapped into it. The Guru would not interfere and “micromanage” things everytime. He / She would only give the big picture and it is up to us to take lessons from that and lead our lives accordingly. This is my take on the first question that we’ve raised.
The second question is a bit complicated here – Why is Yudishtra being held responsible for anything and everything that is happening around and why not Duryodhana, inspite of being the sole reason for the entire disaster to happen? This is where we also tend to lose hope on “Dharma” at times – We might easily be tempted to think that Duryodhana is walking freely without being held responsible for all what he did, but Yudishtra is being held responsible here, even if he is an epitome of “Dharma”! Hence, we might think, why should we at all follow “Dharma” in that case isn’t it? Yudishtra followed the path of “Dharma” and had to undergo all the sufferings possible, however, Duryodhana followed “Adharma” every minute, and yet, he enjoyed his life all through, except for the last day! There is an important answer for this, and we shall wait till the next episode to find out the same! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 