In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important accord given by Vidura to King Dhritarashtra with regards to how the “Karma” and “Karma-Phalam” works in this world. The operating procedure of Bhagawan is very simple – Keeping a tab on whatever actions we’re performing – Both good and bad, and ensuring that we experience the resultant of all our actions at an appropriate time. The only glitch here is that, we will never come to know at any instance as to what this “appropriate time” is! For instance, we might perform an action today, and the resultant of the action might come immediately in the next moment itself. However, in some cases, the resultant of our actions might come after several births as well! This is why we are not able to accurately relate the “cause and effect” of our “Karma”. Thus, Vidura highlights this important point that our “Karma” keeps a watch on us continuously over several births and ensures that we get our due at the right time.
In our day-to-day life also, we keep performing a lot of actions – Some might be good and some might be bad. We keep undergoing a lot of happiness and suffering as well. However, we’ve to realize the fact that not all of our actions might be good in nature, which would earn us the “Punya-Karma”. There might be a few things here and there which might fall under the purview of the “Paapa Karma” also, knowingly or unknowingly. Even if we commit an action unknowingly, we’ve to experience the “Karma-Phalam” for it – For the simple fact that every action of ours has an effect on the world and the universe at large! For instance, if we keep chanting our “Mantra” continuously, it has an impact not only on ourselves, but also amidst the entire universe. The vibrations of the “Mantra” that we chant will keep on spreading into the universe, which would result in a positive change. Similarly, if we kill a living being or even hurt a living being by any chance – The living being tries to fight for its survival, isn’t it? This creates a lot of stress and a whole lot of bad vibrations coming out. This also spreads to the universe and has a negative impact. This living being that we’re talking about can be as small as a mosquito, a fly or as large as an elephant (Humans included of course!). Hence, the point that Vidura is trying to make here is that, whatever action we do, the universe gives it back to us at an appropriate time, and hence, we’ve to be very careful with whatever we’re doing.
Moving on thus, Vidura continues further – “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Please think in this angle – You are brooding over the loss of Duryodhana and Co., aren’t you? Just because you’re brooding over as a father, is Duryodhana going to come back? Whatever happened, has happened – And neither you nor me can reverse this situation now. Moreover, for how long are you going to keep thinking about this? You’ve to try and move on with the remaining part of your life. If you try and think constantly about the past, you will never be able to come out of it. Rather, you should divert your mind into something else, so that it will be easier for you to come out. For instance, if a person falls into a pit hole, he / she can come out only if someone else pulls them out. If this person tries to move his legs and hands to come out of it, he / she would only be pushed down further into the pit. This is a very tricky situation. Similarly you are like this someone who has fallen into the pit. Rather than brooding over the same thing again and again, you should divert your mind into some other happy thing and try to forget this sadness. This is the only way to move ahead. Oh King Dhritarashtra! You might ask me a counter question here – Given this extremely painful situation, how do you say that I’ve to divert my mind into some happy things? Where is the happiness for me here? Let me tell you – When I say “Happiness”, it means “Surrender to Bhagawan”. Oh King Dhritarashtra! Even now it is not too late! Divert your mind by surrendering to the lotus feet of Bhagawan Krishna. He will ensure that you come out of this depressed state of affairs!”
Saying thus, Vidura continues further. He says, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Please calm down! Whatever happened at Kurukshetra – Please try and forget it as a bad dream and try to move ahead! Try to divert your mind away from the “Samsaram”. The more you keep thinking of your “Samsaram” – Please understand that it is nothing other than “Maaya” (Illusion). It will keep pushing you further and further into a pit, from which you will never be able to get up! Oh King Dhritarashtra! “Samsaram” is not as easy to navigate through as you think. It is difficult. You need to put in meticulous effort to come out of it. Please start at this moment itself! For everybody, “Mrithyu Devata” will be waiting at their doorstep to keep monitoring the time of death. This is inevitable. The moment the time arrives, “Mrithyu Devata” will spring into action and take you away! She doesn’t wait for time or tide or anyone in this world!”
Saying thus, Vidura tries to console King Dhritarashtra, and for today, let us understand these important points that Vidura is narrating here. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 