In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of the “Shaanti Parva” wherein Yudishtra has ascended to the throne of Hastinapura. He has officially taken over as the next successor of King Dhritarashtra, rightfully so. As Yudishtra assumes the big responsibility of a leader, he is somehow not happy within. His reluctance was visible even during the grand “Pattabishekam” (Coronation ceremony). However, as a few days passed by, Yudishtra could not hold onto his unhappiness. He meets Bhagawan Krishna and has a brief discussion. Yudishtra still feels heavy in his heart, owing to the loss of his elder brother, Karna, who should have been the right person to rule Hastinapura. Also, without anybody at the senior advisory level around him, and also with all friends and relatives absent, Yudishtra feels extremely lonely. With this heavy feeling, Yudishtra tells Bhagawan Krishna that he doesn’t have any further interest to rule this kingdom. He wants to resign with immediate effect, go into the forests, assume the “Vaana-Prastha-Ashrama” and perform “Tapas” until death. However, as Yudishtra proposes his idea thus, Bhagawan Krishna is not very happy. He has taken all the effort to make Yudishtra the leader, and now when it is accomplished, Yudishtra is not in the right frame of mind to lead from the front!
Moving on further, Bhagawan Krishna replies to Yudishtra thus, “Oh Yudishtra! I understand your pain and loneliness. However, this cannot be a valid reason for you to shun your duty and run away. You are a “Kshatrya”. You are destined to lead. You cannot shun your responsibility just like that, after you’ve assumed office. You’ve to discharge your duties correctly as per “Dharma” towards your people. You’ve also performed the “Raaja-Suya-Yaaga” in the past, when you were the king of Indraprastha. That has given you the license to be a great righteous king! Now, you’ve once again been coronated as the king of unified Hastinapura. At this moment, how can you come and tell me that you want to run away? Oh Yudishtra! Please understand – Running away from your responsibility doesn’t solve anything in life! Instead of thinking this way, I would recommend that you go and meet Bhishmachaarya once again on the Kurukshetra battlefield. Bhishmachaarya is still alive in the arrow bed, waiting for the “Uttarayana Punya Kaalam” to arrive. This is just a few more days away from now. Hence, before Bhishmachaarya attains the “Svarga Lokha”, go to him and learn all the aspects of “Dharma” from him. Oh Yudishtra! Bhishmachaarya is an epitome of knowledge and is fit enough to be at the “Aachaarya” level. His significance is enormous. The only unfortunate thing about Bhishmachaarya was that he was on the wrong side of the war. That was a gross misfortune. However, you will never get a better “Guru” than Bhishmachaarya! Hence, please go to him and ask your questions. I will also come along with you. He will give you the remedies for all your confusing thoughts!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna initiates Yudishtra into a wide range of learning. Obeying Bhagawan Krishna’s words, Yudishtra gets ready to go and meet Bhishmachaarya at Kurukshetra. As we already know, Bhishmachaarya fought the war as Duryodhana’s “Senapati” for the first ten days, and as Shikandi came in front of him, Bhishmachaarya put down all his weapons and let Arjuna soak him with arrows. He is now in the last stage of his life in the same arrow bed that Arjuna put him on. Recollecting this past, Yudishtra and Arjuna could not hold back their tears of sorrow. Now, all of them, along with Bhagawan Krishna reach Kurukshetra, and go to the vicinity of Bhishmachaarya.
Upon seeing everybody arriving, Bhishmachaarya is extremely happy and welcomes them. As Bhishmachaarya sees Bhagawan Krishna coming alongside Yudishtra, he offers his prayers and surrenders to Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet. Yudishtra and Co. offer their respects to Bhishmachaarya as well, and after this, Yudishtra slowly opens up. Bhishmachaarya briefly enquires whether Yudishtra has assumed the throne of Hastinapura, and with this, Yudishtra comes forward to express his dissatisfaction with the same. He expresses his loneliness and guilt of being a king, after being the main cause of destruction of the whole family and friends! As Yudishtra talks, he chokes and starts breaking down. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue this important discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 