In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of Arjuna’s important accord on why Yudishtra should not enter into the “Vaanaprastha-Ashramam” by renouncing his kingdom and descending into the forest. Arjuna cautions Yudishtra that walking this spiritual path of performing intense “Tapas” is virtually impossible for a “Kshatrya” warrior. While this path is extremely difficult even for trained Brahmana Rishis, it is beyond question for the others. Arjuna cites Sage Vishwamitra and several other important sages who walked this pursuit, but ended up getting trapped into worldly desires to lead a family life even in the forest. Arjuna explains how Indra purposefully sends his “Apsaras” women from the Indra Lokha exclusively for this purpose, so as to thwart anybody going beyond a point in obtaining success through “Tapas”. Only those very few people who can escape this with their extreme “Vairagya” can be successful in this pursuit.
Moving on further, Arjuna continues with his next point. He says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! So far, you’ve been fighting an external battle, wherein you’ve successfully navigated treacherous enemies. However, there is another battle which is going on, and that is an internal battle – The battle between you and your mind. This is a tougher battle to win, as compared to the one that we fought at Kurukshetra. Of course, Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya were tough enemies to compete with. But if you compare that with the war that you are fighting with your mind, the latter is tougher than the former. Your mind is trying to pull you down everytime by making you think in a confused manner. Your mind is not able to differentiate between what is “Dharma” and what is “Adharma”. You are forced to think that “Dharma” is “Adharma” and vice-versa. Your mind is the biggest stumbling block here, not letting you have clarity on your “Dharma”. Oh Yudishtra! You’ve to think in a rational manner here – Duryodhana and Co. were walking the path of “Adharma” and have been rightfully shown their places. Hence, you should change your stance now and give the much needed clarity to your mind. You’ve to understand that fighting desires (“Kaamam”) and anger (“Krodham”) that arise from within your mind is tougher to overcome, as compared to external enemies.”
In fact, Bhagawan Krishna also highlights this point several times in the Bhagawad Gita. We’ve seen this earlier during that discussion wherein Bhagawan says that “Kaamam” and “Krodham” are man’s biggest enemies in life. “Kaamam” over unwanted items in this world will lead us to further and further desires. Attainment of one desire will lead us to the next one. There is no end to this. Similarly, non-attainment of our desire will lead us to anger and frustration. This is how life goes on in this world. So, after Arjuna explains all these points to Yudishtra, the question here is whether Yudishtra is getting convinced or not. Now it is time for Yudishtra to reply to whatever Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva and Draupati have spoken. So from Yudishtra’s answer, we shall be able to find out whether he is convinced to go back to Hastinapura or not.
Yudishtra says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Whatever you’re saying is right! But think in this way – There was a famous king by name Janaka. King Janaka was a great “Raaja-Rishi”. He strived enormously to go to the forest and perform penance even as a king. Although being a great king of the Mithila Desha, King Janaka was extremely into spiritual pursuit and he was extremely successful in it. I shall narrate an anecdote from King Janaka’s life to highlight how it is still possible for a king to walk the spiritual path. King Janaka was one of the greatest disciples of Sage Yajnavalkya. Every day as the lessons began, Sage Yajnavalkya used to wait for King Janaka to take his seat. Only after King Janaka arrives, the lessons would begin. Upon seeing this, the other disciples of Sage Yajnavalkya were getting jealous. They were doubting whether both Sage Yajnavalkya and King Janaka had any “secretive deals” with each other. This noise was getting louder by the day, and Sage Yajnavalkya wanted to put an end to this speculation. One fine day as everybody had assembled for the lessons to begin, it suddenly appeared as if the entire place was on fire! This was an illusion which Sage Yajnavalkya created with the help of his extreme “Tapo Balam”. Not only the surrounding place – The entire Mithila kingdom seemed to be as if in fire! This sends shockwaves amidst the entire gathering. Every disciple of Sage Yajnavalkya started running here and there, scouting for shelter! However, King Janaka did not move an inch from his position. He sat there still, as if nothing was going on around! After a whole hour of panic running here and there, all the disciples understood that it was a mere illusion and nothing had really happened! All of them took their seats again in front of Sage Yagnavalkya, as nobody understood what actually happened!”
So for today, let us understand this anecdote that Yudishtra is narrating, up to this point. We shall continue this in the next episode to witness what happened next and subsequently what Yudishtra is trying to convey through this anecdote. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 