In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of an interesting conversation between Arjuna and Yudishtra over what is the real meaning of “Praayaschittham” for a “Kshatrya”. While Yudishtra still believes that “Praayaschittham” for all the sins that he has performed (by killing several thousands of people during the Kurukshetra battle), will be to go to the forest and perform penance, Arjuna negates it with a strong defensive argument. While Yudishtra invokes the example of King Janaka, Arjuna counters it by saying that Yudishtra is only looking at one side of the story and not the other. After all the back and forth arguments, Yudishtra is still not convinced with Arjuna’s advice, as he discards it softly by saying that Arjuna is too young to understand “high-level” Shaastras and their in-depth meanings. As Yudishtra tries so, Arjuna loses his patience to argue with his brother any further, and now puts the ball on to Bhagawan Krishna’s and Sage Vyaasa’s court for the discussion to continue further.
As all this is happening, Sage Devasthaanam gets up and talks. This Sage’s name itself is “Devasthaanam”. He is now going to give a beautiful meaning to what is “Sanyaasam” and who are the ones eligible for it. The Sage says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Every “Varnaashramam” has its own “Dharma” assigned to it. As you are part of the “Kshatrya” clan, your “Dharma” is to be in the kingdom, perform “Dhaanam”, “Yagnyam”, administer the kingdom properly by protecting the people, etc. “Sanyaasam” is not your “Dharma” at any cost. That is meant for some other people. Oh Yudishtra! You should not mix two “Varnaashrama Dharmas” together and follow as per your convenience. If you’re really searching for a “Praayaschittham”, you should be in your country, perform hundreds of “Raaja-Sooya Yaagams”, tens of “Ashwameda Yaagams”, etc. You should ensure that your people are duly taken care of at all times. Through this, you can perform your “Praayaschittham” of killing thousands of people on the battlefield. Instead, you are trying to do something else. Those Brahmana Rishis who falter with the Vedas and Upanishads in several ways, can search for “Praayaschittham” by performing “Tapas”, chanting the “Gayatri Mantra” a thousand times, etc. to come out of their mistakes. This route is not applicable for you. Rather, being in the kingdom and performing “Yagnyams” are not the ways to correct a Brahmana Rishi’s mistake as well. Hence, this is a separate track and that is separate. You cannot mix both together or interchange both!”
Saying thus, Sage Devasthaanam continues further – “Oh Yudishtra! Do you know who is eligible to take up “Sanyaasam”? A person who doesn’t have any followers in his life, is the right person for it!” Here, Sage Devasthaanam is narrating a beautiful meaning to the word “Sanyaasam”. Sage Devasthaanam continues thus, “Oh Yudishtra! A person taking up “Sanyaasam” should not even have a single person following him / her. A person taking up “Sanyaasam” should not be holding any kind of position or power in his / her life. Do you know why? It is because, if such a person says that he / she is going away to the forest by renouncing everything, this will set a very bad example for the others to follow. Upon seeing this person abandoning the responsibility and running away in the middle, ten others will start doing the same – They will also say that just like how my leader abandoned everything and went to the forest, we will also do the same! If everybody starts doing this, who will then discharge the duties that are to be performed? For instance, if a king goes this way by abandoning the responsibility to rule the kingdom, what if the king’s successors (Sons) also start doing the same? Who will rule the kingdom then? Hence, “Sanyaasam” is not for those people who are in several levels of power or positions in the society! Oh Yudishtra! You are also one such person who holds the highest level of responsibility of being an able administrator. You should rather rule the kingdom ably and efficiently as per the norms of “Dharma”, instead of thinking of undertaking “Sanyaasam”. This is not meant for you. If you start doing it, this would serve as a very bad example for several others who ardently follow you and who are dependent on you! Moreover, think for a moment – If everyone starts saying that we are undertaking “Sanyaasam”, how will the world function? There should be a balance between “Sanyaasa-Ashramam” and “Grihasta-Ashramam”. Only if there are “Grihasthas”, food can be served for the “Sanyaasins”. Hence, there is no point in taking up “Sanyaasam” if you have duties to fulfill. Your duty should come first!”
Saying thus, Sage Devasthaanam gives a beautiful meaning to the concept of “Sanyaasam”, and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this interesting and important discussion forward! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 