In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Shiva granting a boon to King Jayathrada, just for the sake of his intense “Tapas” that he had performed. Even though Bhagawan Shiva made it quite clear to King Jayathrada that he will not be able to win over the Paandavas, especially Arjuna at any cost and that, he has to let this off from his mind and move on with his normal life. However, Bhagawan Shiva explains that because of the fruit of his penance, King Jayathrada would be able to win over the Paandavas (except Arjuna), but that victory will last only for one day and not more. As Bhagawan Shiva says thus, King Jayathrada is confused – Whether this is a boon or a bane, in the first place! What is he going to do by winning over the Paandavas for just one single day? What is he going to benefit out of that victory? Can he use that just to fulfill his vengeance towards Yudishtra and Co.? As a lot of things run in King Jayathrada’s mind, he makes his way back to his kingdom. We shall of course witness the repercussion of this boon given by Bhagawan Shiva during the Kurukshetra war.
Moving on thus, we shall now witness what happened back at Yudishtra’s camp. In the next “Upa-Parva”, there is a full description of the “Rama-Avatara” given by Sage Vyaasa. This Parva is called “Rama-Upaakhyaana Parva”. Sage Vyaasa has kept this Parva in the Mahabharata text in a very brief form, as narrated by Sage Maarkandeya to Yudishtra. Now we might wonder how Sage Maarkandeya is back again in the picture! Now we’ve to fast-forward the days and months in time. After a few months of roaming here and there, Yudishtra and Co. settle down in the forest in another place, and it is at this point, SGe Maarkandeya makes a second visit to Yudishtra. Sage Maarkandeya is very concerned about the well-being of Yudishtra and his Paandava brothers and hence, he makes frequent visits to confirm whether everything is fine with all of them. Hence, in this way, Sage Maarkandeya gives an entry into Yudishtra’s place and as usual, Yudishtra receives him with all the due respects and the protocol. As Sage Maarkandeya settles down, he once again sees Yudishtra’s face becoming pale and sorrowful. Now Sage Maarkandeya asks Yudishtra thus, “Oh Yudishtra! What is worrying you now? Are you fine? Are you taking your food properly? Are you getting good sleep? Are you able to maintain your physical and mental health properly?”
As Sage Maarkandeya asks thus, Yudishtra replies, “Oh Sage Maarkandeya! I have a long-pending question that I need to ask you – All of us know that I was responsible for playing the gambling game and it was a gross mistake that I did. Owing to that mistake, I’m now experiencing the punishment of roaming around in the forest by losing all my kingdom and wealth. My brothers who are with me – Of course, knowingly or unknowingly since they were born along with me, they would also have to bear the punishment. But what fault did Draupati do? She came from a different family altogether and the family from which she has come, isn’t an ordinary one. King Drupada is an extraordinary king and Draupati was his daughter who came from a “Yaaga”. Given such an enormous significance attached to her, why is she suffering along with me just because I’ve done something wrong? What wrong did she do so that she would be insulted publicly in the courtroom on that fateful day? Hence, my question is very simple and straightforward – In your previous accord to me, you had said that our “Karma” is responsible for the suffering that we’re experiencing. However, in this case, what “Karma” did Draupati perform, in such a manner that she has to suffer like this? My “Karma” is that of playing the gambling game, for which I’m experiencing the punishment. But Draupati never did anything, and yet, she is experiencing this pain. Why is this so? Please, can you explain the reason behind Draupati’s suffering?”
This is a very important and pertinent question that all of us might have at our homes too! If the husband is into all sort of bad habits like smoking, drinking, gambling, etc., why should the wife and children also suffer because of the husband’s wrongdoing? Every woman in these kinds of houses will have this question in their mind, for which, Sage Maarkandeya is going to give an important reply. So for today, let us understand the question from Yudishtra very clearly and in the next episode, we shall witness a detailed reply from Sage Maarkandeya! Stay tuned for an interesting and important update! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 