We’re at a very important juncture wherein Sanjaya is commencing his narrative of Guru Dhronachaarya’s demise to King Dhritarashtra. Upon breaking the news that Guru Dhronachaarya is no more, King Dhritarashtra is shell-shocked! Also, upon hearing that Guru Dhronachaarya has been killed when he was without his weapons in the battlefield, he is even more shocked! King Dhritarashtra laments in anger as to what were Yudishtra, Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna doing on the battlefield when Drishtadhyumna committed this unethical crime! King Dhritarashtra concludes with a lot of frustration to Sanjaya that this entire battle that is happening at Kurukshetra has breached several levels of unethical acts! First, Bhishmachaarya was cornered by bringing Shikhandi into the battlefield and secondly now, it is Guru Dhronachaarya’s turn to experience this unethical wrath from the Paandava side! As King Dhritarashtra laments thus, Sanjaya is laughing within himself and is pretty calm and composed! Now, Sanjaya has to give a reply to King Dhritarashtra’s lamenting, isn’t it?
Sanjaya says thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! I understand your pain and frustration – But please rewind yourself several years ago when unethical behavior unfolded in your courtroom in front of everybody, right under your nose! When you allowed Duryodhana and Sahuni to play the gambling game against Yudishtra, where did your ethics go? Is playing the gambling game ethical according to you? Secondly, when the game was progressing, you let Duryodhana unleash his wrath on Yudishtra, who was subjected to enormous insult. Was that ethical according to you? Moreover, at the peak of things, Draupati was dragged to the centre of the courtroom by Ducchaasana! Was that ethics according to you? Moreover, Draupati was publicly molested in front of everyone! Was that ethics according to you? As all these events unfolded one after the other, as a king, you were silent and a mute spectator! Was that ethical according to you? After all this fiasco, Yudishtra had to illegally transcend to the forest for twelve long years plus one year of Agnyaatavasam for no fault of his! Where did your ethics go at that time while Yudisthra departed? When Yudisthra finished thirteen years of forest life and came back to claim his kingdom, your son Duryodhana denied him completely! Where did your ethics go then? When Bhagawan Krishna requested you on Yudishtra’s behalf for five villages atleast, and when Duryodhana insulted Bhagawan Krishna on His face, where did your ethics go?”
Sanjaya continues thus, “Hence, King Dhritarashtra! “Dharma” in your kingdom was murdered a long time ago! It is not being murdered today on the battlefield! I’m literally surprised that you are talking about ethics! You’ve let so many unethical things unfold and now why are you lamenting when the mirror is shown to you? You’ve to live with it now. It’s too late for you to lament! When you do something bad to others, you wouldn’t bring that ethics component inside. However, when someone else does something bad to you, you will start talking about ethics! Isn’t this a perfect example of your double standards? Hence, I don’t think you have any moral right to talk about ethical and unethical behavior here! Oh King Dhritarashtra! This is not all! There are more such events to unfold! Wait and see!”
Saying thus, Sanjaya blasts King Dhritarashtra with the harshest words possible! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall wait till the next episode to continue with Sanjaya’s narration further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 