In the previous episode, we had witnessed the Rishi Kumaras continuing with their accord to Yudishtra, emphasizing the fact that mere escapism from the kingdom and going to the forest will never fetch the highest “Moksha”. We’ve to be wherever we are, performing our duties as per Bhagawan’s “Sankalpa” and thereby attain “Moksha”. In due course, we’ve also witnessed the modern-day application of this point in our day-to-day lives as well. Also, we’ve witnessed a comparison from the Mahabharata itself between Abhimanyu and Balarama. While Abhimanyu was steadfast in his duty of fighting the battle, no matter whether he was alone or with his people when he was into the “Chakra Vyuga”, Balarama sought to take the escape route by not being physically present during any of the eighteen days of the war. This is why we talk so highly of Abhimanyu. Whereas, Bhagawan Krishna Himself discarded the words of Balarama when he came back during the Duryodhana-Bheemasena fight. This is because Balarama had lost his eligibility to comment on what is “Dharma” and “Adharma”, as he was never on the battlefield at all!
Thus, the point that everybody is emphasizing to Yudishtra here is that escapism is not a solution for anything in life. We’ve to face any kind of challenges and overcome them with our intellect, effort and Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha”. If we’re sincerely putting our effort, automatically we become eligible for obtaining Bhagawan’s “Anugraha”. Continuing this conversation thus, Sahadeva and Nakula are giving their opinions here. As mentioned, all of them highlight and emphasize this same point only, but in different ways. Sahadeva explains his standpoint thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Please think this way – If a “Grihasta” renounces his family, kingdom, wealth, etc. and descends to the forest, then who will feed the “Brahmana Rishis” when they come searching for us to obtain the “Bhiksha”? If we’re leading a “Grihasta” life, we’ve to perform the divine duty of feeding the great Maharishis when they come in search of us for their living. This is the greatest duty a “Grihasta” can do to the world. If you are shunning everything and going to the forest, several Maharishis will come in search of you at Hastinapura. Now who will take care of them? Who will feed them? Who will ensure that they are made comfortable, so that they can continue with their penance and “Tapas”? Hence, oh Yudishtra! Whatever you are saying is not good. You’ve to realize that you’ve got a big duty in your hands. More than administering the kingdom, it is of paramount importance that you take care of the Maharishis and ensure their well-being. For this itself, you’ve to seriously reconsider your decision!”
As Sahadeva and Nakula opine thus, it is now Draupati’s turn to express her points of view. Till now, Draupati has been standing there quietly, listening to all the accords of those who spoke at length, including Arjuna, Bheemasena, Nakula, Sahadeva and the Rishi Kumaras. All the four Pandava brothers have had their say and Draupati now tries to present a different perspective. She is trying to recall the words of Yudishtra, which she had heard in the past. Of course, only a wife can remember such things very keenly! 🙂 Now, through her accord, Draupati is going to somewhat taunt Yudishtra. She says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! When we were living in the forest earlier during our “Vana-Vaasam” and “Agnyaata-Vaasam” time, we experienced countless number of sleepless nights due to several problems that we had to encounter. All those days, I was sobbing within myself and you used to console me with your lengthy accords. What did you say during those difficult times? You said to me time and again that when we defeat and kill Duryodhana in the battle, every misery that we are undergoing will come to an end. You’ve told me that post Duryodhana’s demise, you will rule the Hastinapura kingdom and with your “Dharma-Raajyam”, all our problems will disappear and we will be happy thereafter. Even before the commencement of the war, you had repeated the same words to me – After the war is over, Duryodhana will be dead and with this, all our problems will come to an end. But now, you are taking a stance just opposite to what you’ve told me all these years! Now when the war is won and you’ve been crowned the king of Hastinapura, you’re saying that you’ll descend to the forest without ruling the kingdom! How fair is this on your part? If you’ve made up your mind like this, it just means that you’ve been cheating all of us all these days and years!”
Criticizing Yudishtra with these harsh words thus, Draupati continues further – “Oh Yudishtra! If you are a king, your job is to give punishment to those people who are on the path of “Adharma”. How will you give them? You’ve to fight wars for that, and that forms part of your duty as a king. By fighting the Kurukshetra war, you’ve only done your duty to the best of your ability, and with that, you’ve rendered the punishment to the Kaurava brothers for all whatever they’ve done in the past. So what is there to feel bad about here? A king can never achieve success without fighting wars! A Brahmana Rishi can never be successful without propagating the Vedas to the world!”
Now this is a very important point that Draupati is talking about here. So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further to witness what Drauapti is going to tell next! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 