In the previous episode, we witnessed the commencement of an interesting conversation between Yudishtra and Sage Vyaasa. As we’ve seen earlier, Yudishtra is somewhat getting depressed with whatever is happening around him, and his mind goes back to the past experiences and broods over them. At this moment, Sage Vyaasa enters inside Yudishtra’s home, in a bid to calm Yudishtra down. As Sage Vyaasa arrives, Yudishtra pays all the due respects to him and makes him feel comfortable. Now, Yudishtra asks a very important question here – Which is more significant? Is it “Dhaanam” or “Tapas”? Why? For this, Sage Vyaasa is going to give an important reply, which we’re going to witness in today’s episode.
As Yudishtra asks this question, Sage Vyaasa replies thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Please understand one thing very clearly – Whatever you’re undergoing today is also one form of “Tapas” (Penance). I know that you’re undergoing something for which you’re no way under fault, however, please understand that this suffering that you’re undergoing today is a prelude for your victory tomorrow. Oh Yudishtra! There is no victory or success in life without any pain! Everyone who succeeds in life will have some sort of pain that they undergo. Success doesn’t come so easily. We need to have that endurance and patience to taste long-term success. If you’re not undergoing any sort of pain, and if you’re very happy in life, please understand that there will be some day where you’ll be experiencing some sort of pain. However, in your case, the situation is different. You’re experiencing this pain at a young age itself. Hence, your later part of life will be extremely happy and contented. Hence, please endure this pain with patience and do not worry. Of course, as you had asked, “Tapas” is extremely important and you’re currently undergoing this “Tapas” with a lot of endurance. Please continue exhibiting your “Dharma” meticulously and be patient.”
Sage Vyaasa continues thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve to learn one important thing in life – Whatever you experience in life – Be it success or failure or happiness or insult – Try to accept it calmly. Just because you’re succeeding and winning over someone or something, it does not mean that you will jump up and down with joy. At the same time, if you encounter a failure or unhappiness or insult, it doesn’t mean that you will sit in a corner and keep brooding over it. You should learn to treat success and failure, happiness and sorrow, appreciation and insult equally in the same plane! This is the key characteristic of a righteous king. Oh Yudishtra! Rather than brooding over what had happened to you earlier, please take this as an opportunity to learn some “Dharma” qualities. This will go a long way in shaping you up as a great king! You’ve to move from “Good” to “Great”, isn’t it? This is the way you move from one level to the other! Hence, even though you’re suffering at the moment, please do not come to a conclusion that everything is lost! You’ve not lost anything at all! You’re only gaining things every minute with your patience and perseverance!”
Saying thus, Sage Vyaasa explains how “Tapas” is extremely important and how the “Tapas” that Yudishtra is undergoing currently is slowly and steadily shaping him up into a great and a righteous king! So for today, let us understand this point clearly and let us reflect this within ourselves – There is no success without pain! This is a very important point and let us realize this for ourselves as well! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 