In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sanjaya making a few important clarifications with King Dhritarashtra and this clearly shows King Dhritarashtra’s mindset. He is quite confused as to which road to take. On one hand, he knows that as per the “Raaja-Dharma”, Yudishtra should duly get his share because he has obeyed the order of going on a twelve-year “Vana Vaasam” and a thirteenth year of “Agnyaata Vaasam”. Yudishtra was earlier promised that if he successfully completes this thirteen-year-period, Indraprastha would be given back to him. Now that Yudishtra has completed it successfully, isn’t it “Dharma” to give his due share of the kingdom? However, on the other hand, King Dhritarashtra is afraid of the backlash from his son if Yudishtra is given his kingdom. Moreover, King Dhritarashtra internally wants his son to be on the forefront as a ruler and not Yudishtra. However, if he tells this intention to Sanjaya, he is sure that Sanjaya wouldn’t accept and appreciate it. Hence, even as Sanjaya is trying to pull words out of his mouth, King Dhritrarashtra maintains a diplomatic stance and tries to play it neutral without giving any sort of commitment to Yudishtra. He just wants Sanjaya to enquire Yudishtra’s well-being and check how his mindset and body language is.
As King Dhritarashtra explains his stance, Sanjaya thinks thus, “Oh wow! Look at his blemish! He doesn’t have clarity in what he is talking! It is like saying that you should keep sitting in one place, however, within the next ten minutes you should be present at a place, 10 kilometres from here! How can both be possible at the same time? If we’re sitting at one place, how can we even get up and move? Only if we start walking or taking a vehicle, will we be able to cover the distance of 10 kilometres within the stipulated timing, isn’t it? King Dhritarashtra’s stance is quite similar to this – On one hand, he wants to satisfy his “Putra-Vatsalya” and is trying to favour his son Duryodhana. On the other hand, he also wants the well-being of Yudishtra and ensures that his “Dharma” doesn’t get affected. How can both happen at the same time?”
Thinking thus, Sanjaya makes his way to Yudishtra’s place and to his surprise, Yudishtra welcomes Sanjaya with enormous respect! Till now, Sanjaya was in two minds whether Yudishtra would insult him and send him back, however, Yudishtra is giving all possible respects for Sanjaya! He receives Sanjaya with a smile, makes him comfortable, offers all the “Argyam”, “Paadhyam”, “Aachamaneeyam”, etc. as per the “Dharma” of receiving an “Atithi” (Guest). As Sanjaya is comfortably seated, Yudishtra talks to him thus, “Oh great Sanjaya! I’m extremely pleased to see you after a long time today! Welcome to our place! I’m very happy to host you! I hope your arrival brings a lot of happiness to all of us! Please tell me – Are you doing well? How is my mother Kunthi Devi? It has been thirteen years since I saw her. Is she doing fine? How is King Dhritarashtra and Mother Gaandhaari? Are they doing fine as well? How is Bhishmachaarya? Is he without any worries? Is King Dhritarashtra free from the tension from Karna, Duryodhana and Ducchaasana? King Dhritarashtra is extremely good by nature. However, he is constantly being pricked by his son Duryodhana and the others. I hope things have settled down at Hastinapura in such a way that King Dhritarashtra is not getting worried and tense much!”
As Yudishtra asks thus, Sanjaya doesn’t know what to reply for a moment! He did not anticipate this series of questions from Yudishtra. He expected Yudishtra to be cold and angry. Howeevr, on the contrary, Yudishtra is extremely calm, composed and pleasing in nature. This approach from Yudishtra gets Sanjaya into tears! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode we shall witness what Sanjaya’s reply is going to be! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 