In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the conversation between Yudishtra and Sage Naarada, and now Arjuna also chips in to make his points. The conversation slowly drifts towards the direction wherein Yudishtra is wanting to renounce everything and go to the forest as a “Tapasvi” to perform penance. As Yudishtra finds it difficult to get over the guilt of being responsible for the entire Kurukshetra debacle, especially the killing of his elder brother Karna, he feels that there is no point in continuing as a king any further and experiencing the luxuries of being in this position. Yudishtra feels that there is no use of earning more and more wealth in this way, which is only going to give a lot of misery and sorrow. Instead, Yudishtra feels that going to the forest by denouncing all wealth, family, etc. and performing intense penance is the only way for him to wash away this guilt feeling and thereby attain “Moksha” from there. As Yudishtra explains his stance, Arjuna quickly intervenes and replies that his stance is wrong here. As a “Kshatrya”, victory and defeat in a war are inevitable. There is no point in feeling guilty over what had happened at Kurukshetra. Arjuna’s point here is that if Yudishtra knew earlier that a war can lead to such a disaster, why did he even fight it? Why didn’t he raise this guilt feeling then, and why now after everything is over?
Saying thus, Arjuna continues further. He replies to Yudishtra – “Oh Yudishtra! Whatever you are saying is correct only. A person should go to the forest, perform penance, eat minimally and survive. But is it applicable for you? You are a “Kshatrya”. Whatever you are saying currently is for great Maharishis, and not for you. They will be able to perform “Tapas” unendingly for a long period of time. They will be able to focus continuously on Bhagawan without having food and water. But will you be able to do it? A “Tapasvi”’s “Dharma” is to perform penance. You cannot equate it to the “Dharma” of a king. Similarly, will a “Tapasvi” come to a battlefield and fight a war against the enemy? Will they be able to do it? The answer is a “No”! Hence, you’ve to perform the “Dharma” that is assigned to you, and not switch over to another person’s “Dharma”. Oh Yudishtra! If you renounce everything at this point, do you know what the world will say? What will Bhagawan feel? The world will not appreciate you for this act of yours. Rather, people will brand you as a coward! People will say that you are running away from your duty as a coward, because you are not in a position to face anyone! Bhagawan will also think that you’ve wasted an opportunity to establish “Dharma” in this world when you run away! What did Bhagawan Krishna make you win this war for? He slogged along with you for eighteen long days – For you to run away at the end of it? Bhagawan Krishna made you win this war to enable you to rule the kingdom as per the principles of “Raaja-Dharma”. Your duty in this world as an administrator is to protect your people, make them walk the path of “Dharma” with your able administration and ensure that your people are happy! Rather than doing this, if you are adorning the role of a “Tapasvi” and running away to the forest, whom are you trying to satisfy? What will happen to the people of Hastinapura if you are not there? Hence, Oh Yudishtra! You should reconsider this decision of yours!”
As Arjuna uses the term “Raaja-Dharma”, the entire discussion is now going to drift towards it. So whatever Arjuna says here is correct – For instance, in today’s context if we’ve to apply Arjuna’s words – When we are having an examination to face tomorrow, or within the next one week, what should we do ideally? We should sit and prepare for it with complete focus on the examination, shouldn’t we? Rather, if we start roaming around with friends, go for a movie, play some outdoor games, etc., what will people say? Our “Dharma” at this point is to prepare for the examination with full focus, and by playing games and roaming around, we are deviating from our “Dharma”. However, playing games, meeting people, etc. are not wrong. These things also form part of our everyday “Dharma”. Playing outdoor games is of course important for our physical and mental health. But, the point here is the timing. Similarly here also, Arjuna is not saying that being a “Tapasvi” is wrong. But who can become a “Tapasvi” and who cannot? There are guidelines for it, aren’t they? Not everybody can do everything in this world, isn’t it? For instance, will I be able to go and take part in a wrestling competition just like that? If I’ve to go for such events, I’ve to train myself accordingly. Can everyone do it? The answer is “No”! Hence, whatever is our “Dharma”, we’ve to follow that and thereby attain “Moksha”.
So for today, let us ponder over what Arjuna is saying here, and we shall continue this important discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 