In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna consoling King Dhritarashtra as he is amidst the Kurukshetra visit. Gandhari has also accompanied King Dhritarashtra to visit the dreaded battlefield after eighteen days of war. As King Dhritarashtra sees Bheemasena, he tries to hug him with all his frustration, in a bid to kill him. However, thanks to Bhagawan Krishna, Bheemasena is saved. Continuing further, King Dhritarashtra torments Bhagawan Krishna that He is the one who is responsible for the entire debacle. As King Dhritarashtra squarely puts the blame on the other side, Bhagawan Krishna clarifies immediately. He says that there is no point in blaming Yudishtra or Himself. Bhagawan Krishna explains to King Dhritarashtra politely that he should have mended Duryodhana’s ways, given that there were several opportunities to make amendments. When Sage Vyaasa or Bhagawan Krishna Himself or any other senior people like Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, etc. tried to advise King Dhritarashtra or Duryodhana, they never paid heed to any of their words of wisdom. If that is the case, what is the point in blaming Bhagawan Krishna for the debacle, and that too after everything is over!
Consoling King Dhritarashtra somewhat, Bhagawan Krishna now moves towards Gandhari. She is an unfortunate mother who has lost all her hundred sons in the Kurukshetra battlefield. As she moves through the place, she is in inconsolable grief. Sage Vyaasa had gifted a divine pair of eyes to her for having a look at the extent of devastation. Sage Vyaasa also accompanies Gandhari and as Gandhari gets stunned with the extent of devastation that she sees around, she bursts out crying. At this moment, upon seeing Gandhari in such inconsolable grief, Sage Vyaasa anticipates something disastrous that is about to come. He immediately tries to console Gandhari thus, “Oh Gandhari! It is tough to see your sons lying dead here on the battlefield, however, please understand that this is the consequence of their own “Karma”. Neither Yudishtra nor Bhagawan Krishna have any role to play in this. I know that given this mindset of yours, the immediate thing that you would be tempted to do will be to curse Yudishtra or the Pandava brothers. Please do not do that. They are in no way responsible for what has happened. Hence, please understand the reality!”
Even as Sage Vyaasa says thus, Yudishtra could not hold his tears and grief upon seeing Mother Gandhari in this pitiful state. Yudishtra runs towards Mother Gandhari and falls on her feet. Yudishtra says thus, “Oh my dear Mother! Please forgive me. I’m the one who is responsible for all this. Please accept me as your own son. It is my fault that this has happened. I know I’m fully eligible to be cursed by you. I can understand the pain behind every drop of tears coming from your eyes. I deserve to be punished by you for all that has happened!” As Yudishtra says thus, he also weeps inconsolably! Similarly, Bheemasena immediately comes and falls on Mother Gandhari’s feet and seeks apology unconditionally for what has happened. In similar lines, all the five Pandava brothers tender their unconditional apology to Gandhari and King Dhritarashtra, even as both the parents are inconsolable with unending grief!
As this happens, we shall move towards the next “Upa-Parva” called “Sthree Vilaapa Parva”. This is the continuation of what we’re seeing currently wherein all the women in Hastinapura mourn the loss of their near and dear ones. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion forward into the next episode as well! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 