In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Naarada’s important accord to Yudishtra on Karna’s unfortunate destiny. He highlights the two important curses that Karna had in his life, which took shape into reality during the Kurukshetra war. Apart from these two curses, Karna was facing constant humiliation from Bhishmachaarya, King Shalya, etc. at key moments, which deterred and shattered his self-confidence completely. Even after all these, if Karna had fought valiantly during the war, it speaks volumes about his unending dedication, focus and nobility in him. This is why, Bhagawan Krishna Himself felt sorry for Karna and before the war commenced, He tries His best to bring Karna on to Yudishtra’s side. However, that did not materialize, as fate would have it. When Karna was about to breathe his last on the battlefield, Bhagawan Krishna was so impressed with him and thus, gave the “Vishwaroopa Darshan” to Karna before he passed away. By narrating all these points, Sage Naarada drives home the fact that Yudishtra was not the one who was responsible for Karna’s demise. There were several factors which led to the unfortunate end to a great warrior!
As Sage Naarada concludes his accord thus, all the other Maharishis explain in one voice – “Oh Yudishtra! Whatever has happened was as per destiny. None in this world can have control over it. You have done your duty as a king to fight your enemies and protect your territory and your people. You’ve to leave it at that. You’ve to now further focus on how you should protect your existing people in your kingdom. This is more important now, rather than brooding over the past happenings!”
Even as the Maharishis explain and try to convince Yudishtra thus, his mindset doesn’t change. He is not getting convinced. Yudishtra is still brooding over the past, as to what led to the disaster of losing his elder brother, Karna! From where did all this start? Who is that one person who can be held responsible for all these mishaps that happened with Karna? Yudishtra’s thoughts go in favour of Karna for the simple reason that right from Day One, Karna had faced unending abuses and insults for no fault of his! Yudishtra could not digest the fact that a great warrior had to undergo such an ordeal throughout his life and finally got trapped under wrong companionship, which led to his downfall! Yudishtra, even though being a calm and composed leader at all times, starts simmering with anger and frustration now. He now trains his guns towards his mother, Kunthi Devi. Yudishtra’s logic is very simple – The entire disaster in Karna’s life commenced on the very first day when Kunthi Devi deserted him, isn’t it? Had she not done that, Karna, for his immense calibre and noble heart, would have been a great and a righteous king! Yudishtra becomes angry at Kunthi Devi and speaks to her angrily thus, “Oh Mother! Till now I have had enormous respect for you! However, you’ve committed a great blunder of not revealing Karna’s identity to the world, just because of your selfishness! You’ve not spoken a single word about Karna all these years to me, nor to Arjuna, nor to Bheemasena or any one of us! Had you informed us of Karna during our childhood and early days, I would have ensured that Karna never slept for even a single day at Duryodhana’s! Had you atleast informed us of Karna before the commencement of the war, I would have gone and personally convinced Karna to come to my side – Or, even if that would not have been possible, I would have ensured that Karna was alive today! Ultimately, Karna had to meet his end because of Arjuna and myself and I’ve to take the blame for the entire fiasco! Had you disclosed about Karna at an appropriate time, the entire disaster could have been averted! Karna could have led a dignified life!”
Lamenting thus, Yudishtra bursts out crying! He could not control himself upon knowing the fact that Karna was afterall his elder brother. This is a very emotional moment, and even Sage Naarada, Maharishis who have gathered there, Bhagawan Krishna and Bhishmachaarya are all speechless! They are unable to utter a single word against what Yudishtra is saying now! Moving on further thus, Yudishtra goes on to inflict a curse on his own mother, and also on all of womanhood! He cannot resist himself from doing this. Yudishtra goes on with his accord thus, “Oh Kunthi Devi! Unable to bear the loss and separation of my elder brother Karna, I’m hereby inflicting a curse upon you, knowing the fact that you are my own mother! However, the blunder that you’ve committed all through your life should not go unpardoned! I’m hereby cursing all of womanhood including you, that secrecy will never stay in you forever! You will not be able to maintain any secrecy in any aspect of your life! Just because you had concealed Karna’s story within you and made Karna a victim to the outside world for no fault of his, you will henceforth never be able to maintain any form of secrecy in your life!”
Saying thus, Yudishtra not only curses Kunthi Devi, but also the entire womanhood in this world! This is why even today we say that we should never utter anything confidential or secret to women, as they might blurt it out to someone and the information might get leaked! Of course, I’m not trying to demean women by saying this, but this is just in the context of what Yudisthra has said here! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue this discussion further in the next episode! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 