In the previous episode, we had witnessed the conclusion of an important accord of Bhishmachaarya on the “Ganatantra Raajyam”. This comes as part of the bigger discussion on the “Raaja Dharma” as part of the “Shaanti Parva” in the Mahabharata text. Here, Bhishmachaarya is giving several pieces of important advice to Yudishtra, and as part of this “Raaja-Dharma” discussion, we’ve seen what is “Ganatantra Raajyam” (Democracy), and how it functions. Subsequently we’ve seen two important parameters which serve as structural pillars for a successful democracy – Unity amongst people and selfless attitude towards each other as a society / country. Even if one is absent, it becomes very easy for external divisive forces to set foot in our country and wreak havoc. We’ve seen this happening in our own “Bhaarata Desha” over a period of a thousand years. Even now, after India has obtained independence, several anti-Hindu elements are trying to play the divisive game to split us and break our unity. However, as ardent followers of our “Sanaatana Dharma”, we should never fall into the divisive agenda of such forces. We should stand united with each other and safeguard our “Dharma”, which has been propagated by our Maharishis for lakhs of years now.
Moving on further, Yudishtra takes the conversation to a different zone – He now asks Bhishmachaarya as to how to find out if people are genuine or fake. In other words, we say that some people directly talk from their heart, whereas some others have something in their heart, but talk something else outside! As an administrator, how do we find out whether people are talking the truth or are they bluffing? For this, Bhishmachaarya is now going to give an important reply. He is going to narrate a beautiful story of a tiger and a fox, to drive home an important point. Bhishmachaarya says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Now let me tell you a story wherein there is an interesting conversation between a tiger and a fox. Once upon a time, there was a king named Pourika. He passes away eventually due to old age, and his next birth in this world is a fox. However, this fox is a bit strange in nature – It takes birth in this world with the memories of its previous birth as a king, unlike us, wherein we come to this earth without any memory of what we were during our previous birth. This King Pourika was a very righteous king and as a continuation, this fox also wants to be very righteous. It takes a “Pratignya” (Vow) that it will neither harm nor kill any other animal in the forest and it would follow the path of “Ahimsa” at all times. Moreover, I would not be the cause of suffering for others through vicious planning, etc. Normally this is what we understand from a fox as an example – Vicious and crooked planning, isn’t it? This fox as an exception decides that it would never go down that path of cheating others.
Upon seeing this, others in the fox community come and start making fun of this fox. The other foxes say thus, “Oh! You are such a stupid fellow! You are damaging the reputation of our entire fox community as a whole! We are known to be intelligent and we have the capability to easily outsmart others. However, you are exactly the opposite! You neither show intelligence nor are you trying to outsmart anyone! We are ashamed to have you as a part of our community! Saying thus, the foxes continue further – “Oh fox! You do not want to kill the deer and eat it because you are too lazy to move from one place to the other! Let us do one thing – We will go and kill the deer and bring it to you. You may eat the flesh of the dead deer. You do not need to go and kill it. We shall do it on behalf of you. But you should never say that you will not eat the deer’s flesh as your prey. If you say so, this would cause irreparable damage to our reputation!” Even after the foxes try to convince him thus, this fox is not ready to listen to all these words! It is clear with its “Pratigyna” that it would never consume any non-vegetarian food! It wants to be a “Dharmatma”.
As a tiger passes by during this conversation, the tiger gets interested in this “Dharmatma fox”. The tiger thinks thus, “Oh wow! How can a fox be such a great “Dharmatma” in this world? Anyway, I’m the king of this forest, and I’m in search of an able minister. This “Dharmatma fox” seems the best suited candidate for this job! Maybe I should go and approach this “Dharmatma fox” and give this offer. Let me see what he does with it!” Thinking this, the tiger goes towards the “Dharmatma fox” and gives this offer! So what does the “Dharmatma fox” do? Is it going to accept or reject the tiger’s offer? An interesting accord awaits us in our next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 