In the previous episode, we had witnessed Yudishtra planning to disguise himself as Kanka, who is none other than the “best friend of Yudishtra’s Atman”! This is a very tricky way of introducing oneself and it might seem to be a lie outwardly, but if we deeply look into it, we shall be able to identify how truthful Yudishtra is, even at a time of great danger! Such is the path of “Dharma” that Yudishtra follows, and this is why Yudishtra is revered and respected a lot as “Dharma-Putra”. Thus, we’ve seen Yudishtra spelling out his plan of action for the next one year – He strategizes to lead a disguised life along with the king of Viraata Desha as a spectator of the gambling game that takes place there. Thus, Yudishtra decides to go as “Kanka”, who is the best friend of Yudishtra’s “Atman”!
Now we shall look into how Bheemasena plans to disguise himself for the next one year. Bheemasena explains thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You keep going behind “Dharma” everytime. For you it might work, but for me, I have other plans! 🙂 I cannot go behind “Dharma” every second like how you do! For a long time now I’m not getting enough food to satisfy my appetite! I shall do one thing – I shall go to some place where I would get abundant food to eat! Or, maybe I can settle down in some place wherein I can cook and exhibit my cooking skills! 🙂 Hence, I shall go as a cook and work under someone. In this way, I can show my cooking talent, as well as eat some nice food! 🙂 I’m going to keep my name as “Vallabha”. If someone asks who my father is, I shall say his name as “Pourogava”!” We should understand here that “Puroga” is another name of Vaayu Bhagawan. All of us know that Bheemasena is the son of “Vaayu Bhagawan” and hence, this name is quite apt. The name “Vallabha” or “Vallabh” has two meanings in Sanskrit – One is “extremely talented to perform anything in this world”, and the other is “a good cook who can make delicious dishes”. As Bheemasena comes up with such a proposal, all of them including Yudishtra accept it gleefully.
Now it is the turn of Arjuna. Arjuna is the one who had successfully destroyed the whole “Kaandava Vanam” with his “Gaandeepa” bow, which is one of its kind! Thus, Arjuna is extremely powerful in terms of handling the bow and arrow and if he goes and stands in front of someone, by looking at his broad shoulders, anybody would be able to easily identify him as none other than Arjuna! So how does Arjuna disguise himself now? We might remember that Arjuna had gone to the “Svarga Lokha” for a period of five years and while he was there, he got cursed by Urvashi, when he rejected her proposal to marry her. At that point in time, Urvashi had cursed him that he would be spending one year of his life amidst women. As Arjuna was shocked by this, Indra consoled him by saying that Urvashi had cursed him for the right reason. Her curse will come true during the “Agnyaata Vaasam” period. Thus, Arjuna explains that he would go to some place wherein he would spend his time amidst a group of women, as per Urvashi’s curse. On one hand, he would satisfy Urvashi’s curse and on the other, he would be able to successfully pass the “Agnyaata Vaasam”. As Arjuna proposes this idea, Yudishtra and the others accept it.
So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall continue with what is the story behind Nakula and Sahadeva! Stay tuned for more updates! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 