In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important conversation between Yudishtra and Vidura at Indraprastha, where Vidura is extending the invitation for the gambling game under the leadership of King Dhridiraashtra at Hastinapura. Upon hearing this, Yudishtra understands that the next big storm is brewing around the corner. It is evident to him that this isn’t King Dhridiraashtra’s decision to do this illegal affair, but he was being totally dominated and misguided by someone “behind the screen”. As Yudishtra raises his concerns with Vidura, Vidura tells him what happened at Hastinapura and how he tried to stop this disaster from happening. However, King Dhridiraashtra went ahead and discarded Vidura’s words and here he is in front of Yudishtra to call him to Hastinapura for the game. As Vidura says thus, he also lets out an advisory that Yudishtra can play his cards cleverly – Either he could accept the invitation and come to Hastinapura for the game, or he could always reject the offer. The choice is Yudishtra’s to make. However, Vidura also advises to “go with the flow” and “Dharma” would take care of the Paandavas at all times – Courtesy Bhagawan Krishna.
It is now a “do-or-die” situation for Yudishtra at this stage – He has to play his card smartly by not going against the Raaja Dharma on multiple fronts! What does he do? Yudishtra thinks for a while and comes up with his decision thus: “Oh scholarly Vidura! I understand all the points that you’ve put forward to me as a token of advice. I’ve also analyzed the pros and cons of all what you’ve said till now. My decision here would be to accept King Dhridiraashtra’s invitation for the gambling game! I take this decision because as per the Raaja-Dharma, a king should never reject another king’s invitation, even though it might be for a legal / illegal purpose. If I end up rejecting the proposal, it would be like disrespecting King Dhridiraashtra and his high stature. Of course, I know that the purpose for which he’s inviting me is an illegal one. For this, I put the onus on “Dharma” and Bhagawan Krishna and accept it, even if it is illegal! Let us go and play the game. Let us win some things and lose some things. All these are part and parcel of the game, isn’t it?”
Thus, Yudishtra lets out his decision loud and clear! Readers should also understand one more important background to Yudishtra’s decision. In our previous episodes, we had discussed in detail, the “Shabadhams” (Resolves) that Yudishtra had undertaken earlier. For instance, Yudishtra had taken a resolve that he wouldn’t hurt anybody either through words or through actions. He would not talk anything that harms others, etc. Hence, now if he rejects this proposal of King Dhridiraashtra, he would end up hurting King Dhridiraashtra and the others, which would in turn end up in deviating from his resolve, isn’t it? Hence, this was also one of the prime reasons that played in Yudishtra’s mind before taking this decision. Thus, Yudishtra conveys his final decision to Vidura and Vidura sets off with the news that Yudishtra would be at Hastinapura very soon!
After Vidura’s departure, Yudishtra speaks about this important decision to his brothers. Upon hearing this, Bheemasena and Arjuna fume in anger. Arjuna replies to Yudishtra thus, “Oh elder brother! I know that your decision is purely based on the “Dharma” aspect. I do not have an iota of doubt on that. However, playing the gambling game would invite unwanted disasters isn’t it? Please remember – Sahuni uncle is an expert in the Dyutham game and he would play all his cards against you. End of the day, we would lose very badly and this seems to be a ploy created by Duryodhana to make us poppers! Hence, please let us not go ahead with this plan. You can even now reverse your decision by politely rejecting this dangerous offer!” As Arjuna says thus, Bheemasena too talks the same thing and warns Yudishtra of an imminent danger into which they are being pushed! However, Yudishtra was steadfast in his decision and convinced his brothers that they should go ahead with it, because this is the flow of “Dharma” and there is no other option!
All of us should understand one important thing here – It was a usual practice till now that before taking an important decision, Yudishtra would consult Bhagawan Krishna. We’ve seen this earlier too in many instances, isn’t it? However, for this decision to be taken, Yudishtra somehow missed the chance of consulting Bhagawan Krishna once! Till now we’ve never seen Bhagawan Krishna in the picture, haven’t we? Many of us might have been wondering where did Bhagawan Krishna go away all of a sudden! This is how Bhagawan played His divine Leela! Whenever some crucial things were supposed to happen, He would disappear mysteriously and let the event unfold! Else, if Bhagawan Krishna would have been there in the vicinity of the Paandavas, we can be sure that even if Yudishtra wouldn’t have spoken out, Arjuna would have definitely raised the red-flag with Bhagawan Krishna, and the entire Bhagawad Gita would have been out now itself! 🙂 However, Bhagawan had other plans! He wanted the entire event to unfold, and He wanted to use this as a trump card to destroy the entire Kaurava camp later on! The important point to be noted here is that, neither King Dhridiraashtra, nor Duryodhana or Yudishtra wanted a war. However, the war was in mind only for one person – Bhagawan Krishna! Thus, we can see here how fate can take its shape and ruin an entire kingdom and push many people into disasters!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and let us wait for the next episode to witness Yudishtra and the Paandavas going ahead to play the gamble! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 