In the previous episode, we had witnessed Guru Dhronachaarya being at the brink of something extremely unusual in his entire lifetime. He has obtained news that his son Ashwatthama is killed amidst the battlefield by Bheemasena and before he verifies the veracity of the information, he ends up killing 20,000 foot soldiers of the Paanchaala Desha. This forces the Maharishi team to compel Guru Dhronachaarya to put down his weapons once and for all, as he is deemed ineligible to fight the war further. However, Guru Dhronachaarya wants to confirm this news with Yudishtra. Guru Dhronachaarya chooses Yudishtra for this as he knows that Yudishtra will always stand by “Dharma” and he can believe Yudishtra’s words blindly. However, as Guru Dhronachaarya comes towards Yudishtra, Bhagawan Krishna quickly makes a move and prepares Yudishtra to give an answer accordingly! We’ve witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining a beautiful aspect of “Dharma” wherein it is completely acceptable to utter a lie, given the greater interest of protecting “Dharma” at a larger scale. Accordingly, Yudishtra also prepares his mind for the same.
Moving on, Yudishtra thinks within himself upon what Bhagawan Krishna has just said. He is firm on winning this war. He knows that if he gives it away at this point, the country will go into the wretched hands of Duryodhana and this would be a greater danger for everyone. Hence, it is in his hands now to protect the country and its people. This is the clarity in thought that Yudishtra has at all times! However, if Bhagawan would have asked Arjuna to execute this task, he would have backed away very easily! He will not understand such in-depth aspects of “Dharma” as Yudishtra does. Thus, we can clearly see here that Bhagawan Krishna makes His moves very cleverly! He knows who will do what!
Now we’re at the most important juncture here – Guru Dhronachaarya approaches Yudishtra and asks him thus, “Oh my dear Yudishtra! People around me are talking about my son’s demise. Bheemasena is propagating aloud that he has killed my son, Ashwatthama! Is this information true? I’m coming all the way up to you to ask you this because I know that you are the only one who will be truthful with your answer! Now tell me – It’s the question of my life! Is my son Ashwatthama alive or dead?” Tears roll down Guru Dhronachaarya’s eyes as he asks this question to Yudishtra! His voice is clearly trembling! Upon seeing Guru Dhronachaarya’s state, even Yudishtra’s heart melts for a moment! His Guru is coming and asking him for a confirmation, even though he is in the enemy’s camp. Yudishtra thinks for a moment as to how he could lie so blatantly to his teacher, especially at this crucial juncture! However, Yudishtra firms himself up and decides to talk the truth, but in a different way! Yudishtra says thus,
“Ashwatthama hataha! Kunjaraha!!”
So Yudishtra says thus, “Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! Ashwatthama is dead!” He says this in a louder voice so that Guru Dhronachaarya is able to hear this clearly! However, the next word “Kunjaraha” (Elephant) comes out of Yudishtra’s mouth with a much lower voice, so that Guru Dhronachaarya couldn’t hear it! Thus, in a way, Yudishtra talks the truth, but it ends up to be selectively heard by Guru Dhronachaarya! Thus, with this act, Yudishtra is devoid of the “Adharma” of telling a lie and at the same time, he ensures that Guru Dhronachaarya gets the message that he has to obtain! At the same time, as Yudishtra utters the Shabdha of “Kunjaraha”, everybody around him started blowing their “Shankams’ aloud! This coincides with the “Kunjaraha” sound and it gets completely drowned out!
As Yudishtra commits such an act, his chariot lands on the ground for the first time! Till this moment, Yudishtra’s chariot was always floating and moving a few inches above the ground level. However, as Yudishtra utters these words, his chariot lands on the ground with a “bang” sound! This was a huge test for Yudishtra’s “Dharma”! Bhagawan Krishna is seeing this happening from a distance and He motivates Yudishtra thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Do not worry! You will not be feigned for this! You’ve clearly passed the test of “Dharma” and you are safe! If you hadn’t done what I told you, you would have been in great danger by now!”
Thus, as Yudishtra’s words of “half-truth” goes into Guru Dhronachaarya’s ears, his heart stops beating for a minute! Now the news is confirmed – He thinks! Ashwatthama is no more – He concludes! Yudishtra’s words cannot be dual – He knows! Thus, Guru Dhronachaarya is now going to put down his weapons permanently! However, he is still momentously fighting with a few of them who come opposite to him. But this fight is very meagre and is not up to the valour and rigour that we know of! Guru Dhronachaarya has this heavy feeling at the back of his mind that there’s no purpose of living this life anymore when his son is dead!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall wait till the next episode to witness what happens to Guru Dhronachaarya next! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 