In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sanjaya finishing his accord and with that, Duryodhana gets frustrated with the arguments that are presented in the courtroom in front of King Dhritarashtra. On one hand, Bhishmachaarya is siding with the opinions of Sanjaya and Vidura that Yudishtra should be given Indraprastha back immediately to put an end to this stalemate situation. On the other hand, Guru Dhronachaarya too feels the same and trains his guns towards Karna and accuses him of misleading Duryodhana in this aspect. As he does that, Duryodhana is not at all happy! He fumes at both of them by saying that they are cowardly in nature and even though they are great warriors, they are succumbing to Yudishtra’s relentless pressure. Upon hearing all these, King Dhritarashtra is now lamenting in front of everyone! He knows that his sons are walking the path of “Adharma” and is fearing the might of Bheemasena and Arjuna dawning upon Duryodhana and Co. He remembers the brutal pledge that Bheemasena had made on that fateful day of the gambling game wherein Bheemasena had said that he would suck the blood out of Ducchaasana and give it to Draupati to wash her hair with! This is something that sends shivers to King Dhritarashtra to this day, even after thirteen long years! Arjuna’s “Gaandeepa” is extremely powerful and the whole world knows of its capability. How is Duryodhana going to escape the wrath of these two great warriors in the battlefield?
Moving on, as everyone anticipates King Dhritarashtra’s decision on the peace-making effort, he also literally falls in line with it. King Dhritarashtra continues with his lamenting accord thus, “Oh Sanjaya! Oh Vidura! Oh Bhishmachaarya! I understand the disastrous consequences of a war which is looming large in the near future! Many people will lose their lives and this is going to create a huge impact on an entire generation of people at Hastinapura! Bheemasena is invincible in the battlefield, and so is Arjuna! Oh Sanjaya! I know that I’ve given enormous difficulties to Yudishtra. But if I tell him that I’m handing over his Indraprastha back to him, will he refrain from attacking us? Even if he attacks all of us, we deserve the wrath of Bheemasena and Arjuna, because we were the ones who have tortured the Paandavas all through these years! Yudishtra had to undergo thirteen years of forest life and it is not an easy sacrifice that he has made! I understand that totally! So maybe the only way to put an end to this feud is to hand over Yudishtra’s Indraprastha back into his hands!”
As King Dhritarashtra says thus, Sanjaya heaves a sigh of relief! Till this moment, King Dhritarashtra was training his guns towards Yudishtra and Co. by standing firmly in support of his son Duryodhana! Now this accord has created a welcome change in him! Maybe is this the start of the reign of “Dharma” at Hastinapura? With high hopes from whatever King Dhritarashtra laments, Sanjaya replies back thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Now you are on the right track! You should walk the path of “Dharma” not because of fear, but because of will! As a righteous king, it is your duty to treat all your sons equally. When I say “your sons”, it also includes Yudishtra and Co. as well. You should learn to treat people with equal respect. When I say this, it includes your son’s behavior as well. Now that you’ve realized the importance of walking the path of “Dharma”, you should mend Duryodhana’s ways. He does not understand what is “Dharma” and what is “Adharma” and is being grossly misguided! You’ve to stop this first! Once you’re able to do it, it would make sense for you to take the next step. You’ve to be firm in your decision-making! You should first dismantle this gangster behavior that is going on between Duryodhana, Ducchaasana, Sahuni, etc. Who on earth will forget that disastrous day and whatever conspired then? Who can forget Draupati being manhandled in public? Who can forget that moment when Duryodhana tapped his thighs and asked Draupati to come and sit in his lap? Do you think the world will forgive Duryodhana for this unforgivable act? As a king, you should have reprimanded Duryodhana then and there! But you failed to do it at that time, thus earning a bad reputation that you’re favouring your son even though he is wicked in nature! Now how are you going to correct it? Even now it is not too late! You can still mend Duryodhana’s ways even now. If you do so, things will automatically fall in place! Hence, the first step in implementing “Dharma” at Hastinapura is to mend Duryodhana’s ways!”
Saying thus, Sanjaya slams King Dhritarashtra for his gross inaction! These arguments are happening right in the presence of Duryodhana who is listening to all these points! After listening to all these, Duryodhana stands up! He has had enough of it now! So what is Duryodhana’s reaction going to be? Is he going to take a step forward to mend his ways by realizing his mistakes? Or, is he still going to walk the same path of “Adharma”? Let us find out in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 