In the previous episode, we witnessed the re-entry of Sage Maarkandeya into Yudishtra’s home. As Sage Maarkandeya enters, Yudishtra pays his respects to the great Sage and makes him comfortable. As Sage Maarkandeya looks upon, Yudishtra pours out his agitation that was troubling him all this while. The question is very simple here – “If I’m doing all the wrongdoings, I should suffer on account of my bad “Karma”, isn’t it? Now, why should Draupati suffer along with me? What wrong did she do in all these? Why is she bearing the brunt of whatever wrong I performed in my life?” This would be a pertinent question in the minds of many ladies at home. For all the wrongdoings of the husband, why should the wife and children undergo suffering? For instance, the husband at home would be into some bad habits like smoking, drinking or gambling, etc., and because of this, all the money that is being earned at home would be lost into all these habits. Finally when it comes to sustaining the family and paying the school fees for the children at home, there would be no money left! Many a time, women would be forced to take up small domestic jobs, suffer and toil hard and protect the family, whereas, the husband would enjoy his life by drinking and smoking with his companions outside! We see this very commonly these days. This is exactly what Yudishtra’s asking here – For all the wrongdoings of the husband, why should the entire family bear the brunt? For this, Sage Maarkandeya is going to give a very important reply. Let us commence it in today’s episode.
Sage Maarkandeya replies thus, “Oh Yudishtra! I understand your question and it is very important for me to address it. You’re talking about one Draupati who is an ordinary woman afterall, and how she is suffering because of you. However, please understand – Goddess Mahalakshmi, when she was born in this world during Bhagawan Vishnu’s previous incarnation, had to undergo suffering herself! Now how does that weigh? You’re talking about Draupati only. But there is a precedent wherein Goddess Mahalakshmi herself had to undergo a similar ordeal!” As Yudishtra hears thus, he is surprised! He asks back thus, “Oh Sage Maarkandeya! Why did Goddess Mahalakshmi suffer? She is Bhagawan Vishnu’s divine consortium isn’t she? Why should she undergo suffering? What happened to her? Can you tell me in detail about it?” As Yudishtra asks thus, Sage Maarkandeya explains: “Oh Yudishtra! Goddess Mahalakshmi incarnated in this world as Mother Sita – The divine daughter of King Janaka at Mithilapuri and got married to Bhagawan Rama, who was the son of King Dasharata of Ayodhya. For some petty reason, Bhagawan Rama was exiled to the forest for fourteen years and Mother Sita had to accompany Him to the forest. There, she was abducted by a Raakshasa by name Ravana and she was held captive alone for a long period of 10 full months! Oh Yudishtra! You’re talking of Draupati suffering, aren’t you? Atleast you should be happy that Draupati is well with you at all times without any harm. Now see what happened to Mother Sita – She had to undergo a painful separation from her dear husband for ten long months, and even after that when Bhagawan Rama came to Lanka and defeated Ravana, did He accept Mother Sita again? He did not! He refused to accept Mother Sita by saying that she was touched by someone else! Hence, Mother Sita was forced to prove her chastity in front of everyone! Did Draupati even once undergo this difficulty? In fact, for this act of Bhagawan Rama, He is still spoken wrongly about by people! Did you undergo any of these things in life? So what are you talking about in terms of suffering? Oh Yudishtra! Please understand – Your suffering is actually nothing as compared to what Bhagawan Rama and Mother Sita had to undergo in their lives. Your suffering is nothing as compared to what Nala and Damayanti underwent during their tough times! Hence, please do not get into such thoughts! All of us in this world have to undergo suffering and this is the mandate of human life in this world!”
Saying thus, Sage Maarkandeya consoles Yudishtra and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall continue this discussion further in the upcoming episode to understand what Sage Markandeya further explains to Yudishtra! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 