In the previous episode, we had witnessed Yudishtra standing firm to his decision of descending to the forest by undertaking the “Vaanaprastha-Ashramam”. Yudishtra opines that he had seen the world enough. He has faced so much in his life, that he wants to retire and leave the kingdom once and forever. He wants to go to the forest and perform “Tapas”, thereby striving to attain the highest “Moksha”. As Yudishtra says thus, we’ve seen Arjuna countering him with a very important point that performing “Tapas” with a lot of “Vairagya” (Will power) is the characteristic and the main job of a Brahmana Rishi and not of a Kshatrya warrior. As a king, Yudishtra should perform his duty towards the kingdom, and not to “run away” to the forest by shunning it. As Arjuna says thus, Bheemasena gives a different perspective to this – He recalls how Yudishtra was humiliated by Duryodhana and Co. many times in the past on several occasions. It was after all this humiliation, Yudishtra was able to succeed against Duryodhana. Moreover, for Yudishtra to become a king, King Dhritarashtra’s hundred sons have sacrificed their lives, and now if Yudishtra is not discharging his duties properly, the entire purpose of fighting this war would become futile! Hence, Bheemasena also concurs with Arjuna’s point that Yudishtra should return back to the kingdom, without giving such lame excuses.
Moving on further, Bheemasena continues thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’re saying that fighting the war and killing enemies is gross “Adharma”. Killing living beings might be “Adharma” as per the Shaastras, and I agree to it. But it is important to understand whom are you killing. Not every killing is wrong. Oh Yudishtra! You’ve killed people who were wreaking havoc in this world in terms of “Adharma”. This, as per the “Shaastras” is itself an act of “Dharma”. You’ve killed a few people who followed “Adharma”, for the greater good of the world, which is “Dharma”. Hence, you should not feel bad that you’ve been instrumental in the demise of all these warriors in the Kurukshetra battlefield. You should understand that you’ve performed your “Dharma” as a Kshatrya warrior. Now that you’ve performed your “Dharma” by fighting the war, the onus and responsibility is on you to continue protecting your people in the Hastinapura kingdom. If you desert your people and go away to the forest now, you will end up performing a gross “Adharma”. If you are not here, who will do all the “Ashwamedha Yaagas”? Who will feed the Brahmana Rishis who come to perform them? Who will feed the “Veda-Virpannas” who propagate the Vedas to this world? Who will ensure that the treasury coffers are full and charitable activities are carried on? All these responsibilities are also part of your “Dharma” only. Hence, rather than contemplating upon going to the forest, you should think about the “Dharma” tha you’re supposed to execute!”
This seems to be a fair and valid point here. Bheemasena is explaining here that not all killing is “Adharma”, and harming living beings is not “Adharma” at all times. For instance, we go to a doctor for a surgery – The doctor has to take us to the operation theatre, administer the anaesthesia, take the necessary surgical instruments in hand and cut open our body to perform the operation, isn’t it? Now, can the doctor say – “Ahimsa Paramo Dharmaha” and put down the surgical instruments and run away from the operation theatre? What will happen to our health? Hence, at a critical time when the surgery is a life-saving one, the doctor has no other option but to harm our body by cutting it open with the surgical instruments. Here, of course the surgery is going to hurt us and is going to inflict a lot of pain in the short-run. But, this is essential for our long-term health and welfare. Hence, even though harming a living being might be considered as an “Adharma”, if that harming is performed for a greater good, it is considered as “Dharma” only.
Similarly here also, Yudishtra has harmed Duryodhana and Co. in the war, which might outwardly be seen as an act of “Adharma”. (Yudishtra is claiming this to be an “Adharmic” act now). However, the war had happened with the sole purpose of restoring “Dharma” in this world. Moreover, this war has completely been orchestrated by Bhagawan Krishna’s divine will. Hence, according to Bheemasena’s argument, whatever Yudishtra has done is correct only, and there is no point to brood over whatever has happened! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness whether Yudishtra is getting convinced with this argument from Bheemasena or not. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 