In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important accord wherein Arjuna is concluding to Yudishtra that King Janaka continued ruling Mithilapuri after his wife’s advice. Yudishtra was partially right when he said that King Janaka was a “Raja-Rishi” and he was an epitome of detachment. However, what he did not talk about is that, when King Janaka was about to renounce his kingdom and go to the forest, his wife stopped him and rendered an important piece of advice. She was steadfast in her husband executing his duties towards the kingdom at all times, and to keep up with the oath that he has taken as a king in front of all his people. For a “Kshatrya”, going on “Sanyaasam” is not an option at all. “Sanyaasam” is for “Brahmana Rishis” and not for the others. Saying thus, King Janaka’s wife successfully dissuaded King Janaka from taking up “Sanyaasam” and made him continue ruling the Mithilapuri kingdom. Narrating this incident, Arjuna explains that just like how King Janaka paid heed to his wife’s words and returned back to the kingdom, Yudishtra should also do the same and come back to Hastinapura without any further delay.
Listening to all this, it is now time for Yudishtra to give his response. Yudishtra says thus, “Oh Arjuna! I understand all whatever you’re saying. “Thyaagam” is important, but it should be done by discharging the duties. But when we look at the shlokas from the Bhagawad Gita, it talks so high of “Dhyaanam”, “Yagnyam”, “Rahasyam”, etc., and for all these to be done, I’ve to go to the forest only, isn’t it? How can it be possible that I sit at Hastinapura and do all this?” By saying thus, it once again proves that Yudishtra is still not ready to come back. He is still in the “Vaanaprastha-Ashramam” mode. He doesn’t want to give up his stance any time soon! As Yudishtra says thus, Arjuna immediately has a reply. He says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You are correct! The Bhagawad Gita says all this. Bhagawan Krishna is right in front of us. We may clarify directly with Him. However, let me tell you my understanding first, because I was the one who listened to the entire 700 shlokas first-hand! So, when you’ve to perform the “Yagyam”, for whom are you performing it? Is it for yourself, or for your kingdom? If it is for your kingdom, you’ve to perform it by being a king at Hastinapura, right? How can you go to a forest and perform a “Yagnyam” for the benefit of your people? Similarly, if you’ve to perform “Dhyaanam”, of course, you need peace of mind, etc. and for that, you may argue that the forest is the correct place for it. You may still go to the forest for performing the “Dhyaanam”, but your duty doesn’t end there. Is it enough if you alone do it? You’ve to propagate the significance of whom you are meditating upon, right? For that, you should be in the kingdom only. Hence, like this, whatever you’re talking about from the Bhagawad Gita has duality attached – Some has to be done from the forest, whereas some has to be performed while being a king in your kingdom. Oh Yudishtra! You cannot escape from your duties, just because you do not like doing them. As an able administrator, you should discharge your duties and protect the interests of your people!”
As Arjuna says thus, Yudishtra is still not able to digest it. He replies back thus, “Oh Arjuna! You are talking about too many things, which you might not be able to understand in-depth! Hence, it is better that you refrain from talking about those! Oh Arjuna! All that you know is to fight with Karna and Duryodhana, which you’ve successfully accomplished. But there are deeper things in life, which are far more important than just killing people in a battle. I’m trying to focus on those deeper aspects of life, which will help me to perform the “Praayaschittham” for whatever sins we’ve done during this war!”
As Yudishtra says thus, Arjuna becomes slightly angry now. He has had enough. The moment Arjuna corners Yudishtra with a few “fact-checks”, Yudishtra doesn’t have an answer to counter Arjuna beyond an extent, and instead, resorting to political tactics to silence him. Even we do this sometimes in our regular conversations with people – If someone tells us something and if we do not have an answer for their tough questions, we would immediately say thus, “Oh! What do you know about this? You shouldn’t be talking this way! There are deeper things involved, which you won’t understand!” These kinds of talks are often referred to as “fillers”. We tend to use these fillers because we ourselves do not have definite answers to counter the opposition’s claims. This is exactly what Yudishtra is doing here. The moment Arjuna countered Yudistra with King Janaka’s remaining half story, and some other important points, Yudishtra’s views are clearly challenged here! He’s unable to give a proper answer to Arjuna, and hence, he resorts to somehow silence Arjuna in some way or the other!
However, Arjuna is not going to keep quiet here. He immediately says, “Oh Yudishtra! I might be younger to you, but I too understand many things just like how you do! Whatever you’re trying to communicate is absurd. You are searching for “Praayaschittam” by going to the forest and perform penance, aren’t you? Please understand that performing penance in a forest is not the correct “Praayaschittham” for a Kshatrya king. It might be right for a Brahmana Rishi, but definitely not for you! Oh Yudishtra! If I’m wrong, Bhagawan Krishna is standing right beside us, listening to all our conversations. You might clarify with Him. Sage Vyaasa is also amongst us. Why don’t you ask him for an answer? Bhishmachaarya is also amidst us. Why don’t you seek clarification from these great stalwarts?”
Saying thus, Arjuna throws the ball on Bhagawan Krishna’s Bhishmachaarya’s and Sage Vyaasa’s courts. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall wait for the next episode to find out what happened next! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 