In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of Yudishtra’s final and concluding remarks and messages that he wants to convey through Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra, Bhishmachaarya, and the likes at Hastinapura. The message to King Dhritarashtra is very clear – If he takes sides towards Duryodhana and neglect Yudishtra, the entire Kaurava clan is going to face extinction very soon. In similar lines, Yudishtra conveys to Bhishmachaarya that he has to live up to the expectation as a “Pita-Maha” wherein his guidance is important for everyone. Similarly to Vidura, who is an epitome of “Dharma”, Yudishtra sends a message that Vidura should always stand by “Dharma” at any cost, and should guide King Dhritarashtra along the path of “Dharma” at each and every moment. In similar lines, Yudishtra is conveying individual messages to individual people and we shall continue this in today’s episode as well.
Moving on thus, the message is now for Duryodhana. Yudishtra says thus, “Oh Sanjaya! My message to Duryodhana is very simple – Please request him to give some respect to elders. Please request him to listen to the words of the elders like Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya and Vidura and ask him to sit with them and learn the “Dharma” that he has to follow as a Kshatrya prince. Duryodhana is behaving this way only because he is completely devoid of “Dharma” in him. If he spends some time constructively with the elders at Hastinapura, chances are bright that he would be able to mend his ways in a positive direction and subsequently the war can be avoided. Oh Sanjaya! Even now it is not too late. I have confidence in you that you would be able to act swiftly and smartly and possibly avoid a disaster in the making!”
We are witnessing a very important context here – “Dharma” is very simple in nature and is very easy to follow as well. Whatever Yudishtra is saying here is nothing complicated. All that Duryodhana has to do is to part his kingdom equally with Yudishtra, and if he is doing so as per the “Raaja-Dharma”, everything would have been resolved and the entire kingdom would have been extremely prosperous. But it is Duryodhana who is neglecting this offer from Yudishtra and is complicating things. Normally, the path of “Dharma” is extremely simple and is like a very thin line. It is up to us to maintain the simplicity and catch hold of that thin line and attain “Moksha” with Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha”. However, the problem starts when we refuse to follow that thin line. Hence, let us think over this and ponder within ourselves!
Moving on further, Sanjaya takes all these messages from Yudishtra and leaves for Hastinapura, even as King Dhritarashtra is anxiously waiting for his arrival. King Dhritarashtra is thinking within himself thus, “Oh! Why is this Sanjaya taking so long to return? I hope things would have been smooth and Yudishtra would have come to a compromise by now. Sanjaya is very smart. He knows how to tackle complex situations and break them down into simple ones!” We can see the selfish nature of King Dhritarashtra clearly here – Why is King Dhritarashtra anxious? It is not because he is concerned about the welfare of Yudishtra and Co.! The anxiety is for whether his own agenda is getting fulfilled or not! This is where all the problems start! If King Dhritarashtra had performed the balancing act correctly, things would have been much better, isn’t it?
Now, as King Dhritarashtra is waiting, Sanjaya marks his arrival! As Sanjaya arrives, King Dhritarashtra runs towards him, welcomes him and enquires the status of things straightaway! Sanjaya replies to King Dhritarashtra thus, “Oh King! I had conveyed your message to Yudishtra and the Paandava brothers. What I observed is that Yudishtra is still sticking to his “Dharma”. His compassion knows no bounds. Yudishtra is very firm in his stance. However, you and your son are also very firm in your stance as well and this is something to ponder over for both of you!”
As Sanjaya says thus, King Dhritarashtra is extremely happy! He is happy because he did not understand the “Sookshama” of Sanjaya’s message! According to King Dhritarashtra, “Dharma” for Yudishtra is nothing but leaving everything and running away to the forest and compromising everytime. This has happened over the past thirteen years, isn’t it? Hence, King Dhritarashtra expects the same from Yudishtra again and again! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion further in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 