In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of a very important conversation between Yudishtra and Arjuna. While Yudishtra is steadfast with his decision of descending to the forest by adopting the “Vaanaprastha-Ashramam”, Arjuna is trying his best to convince his brother not to go down that path without fulfilling his duties towards the kingdom. Arjuna’s point here is that, even though performing “Tapas” in the forest to attain “Moksha” is a good thing to do, it is only suitable for Brahmana Rishis who have everything under their control with their “Tapo-Balam”. However, for Kshatrya warriors like Yudishtra, this is not a good thing to do. Arjuna urges that Yudishtra should shun this idea of going to the forest for the sake of the Hastinapura kingdom. In due course of the last episode, we’ve also witnessed an anecdote from the Ramayana wherein Bhagawan Rama explains this concept through His actions very clearly. Thus, the point here is that, we should follow our “Varnaashrama-Dharma” and perform our “Karma” according to its requirements, thereby paving the way to attain “Moksha”. Here, Yudishtra is trying to deviate from his “Varnaashrama Dharma” of being a “Kshatrya” and this is where Arjuna renders important pieces of advice to him.
Moving on further, as Arjuna tries to convince, Yudishtra is still not able to take it. He replies to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! You are not understanding what I’m trying to say. You do not know how divine the forest is. If you need water to drink, there is River Ganga. If you need food to eat, there are always trees which can give fruits and vegetables. If we need shelter, there are tunnels for us to rest. The natural surrounding is so amazing and peaceful. It is the ideal place for me to sit and perform penance without any disturbance. All through my life I’ve seen wars, fights, cheating, foul plays, etc. I’ve been feigned for no fault of mine. I don’t want to continue this any further. I just want to be alone, to do some thinking. I need to be away from all this now. I think it’s the right time for me to retire from worldly life!”
As Yudishtra says repeatedly thus, Bheemasena cuts the argument and comes in the middle. Bheemasena has been listening to this story for quite sometime now and he has a different perspective to present here. Bheemasena says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Think this way – You’ve fought the war at Kurukshetra for the past eighteen days. You have been made the king of Hastinapura wherein all the sons of King Dhritarashtra have sacrificed their lives for this. In other words, for you to become the king, Duryodhana and Co. have laid down their lives on the battlefield. You should continue to be the king and perform your duties towards the Hastinapura kingdom atleast for their sake. If you’re renouncing the kingdom like this abruptly, the entire purpose of fighting the Kurukshetra war goes for a toss, isn’t it? It is for this, we’ve also suffered in the forest for the past thirteen years. It is for this, we’ve undergone enormous trials and tribulations all through our lives, since our childhood days! Oh Yudishtra! Have you forgotten what Duryodhana has done to us ever since our childhood days? Have you forgotten how Duryodhana cheated you in the gambling game on that fateful day? Have you forgotten how Duryodhana and his Kaurava brothers insulted our wife Draupati? If you remember all these, you will not be talking like this today! Oh Yudishtra! The main purpose of fighting this war at Kurukshetra was to defeat the evil (“Adharma”) and with this, “Dharma” (Righteousness) should prevail. You’ve fought the war valiantly and tasted victory over “Adharma” as well. Now after all this, you should focus only on ruling the kingdom, rather than thinking negatively like this! Oh Yudishtra! Please understand that you’ve done “Dharma” by killing Duryodhana and Co. You are feeling bad about Karna’s demise. I also understand that Karna was our eldest brother, however, look what he had done to you and to all of us! Had he walked the path of “Dharma”, then whatever you’re feeling for him now is correct. But he did otherwise! So why are you worrying about it? You’ve to move on from this and continue to perform your duties towards the kingdom!”
Saying thus, Bheemasena gives a different perspective to the entire narrative that Arjuna is trying to set here. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 