In the previous episode, we had witnessed the concluding remarks for the important story narrated by Bhishmachaarya on the tiger and the “Dharmatma fox”. While the tiger confronts the “Dharmatma fox” for no fault of his, the latter loses its trust on the tiger for unduly questioning him without conducting any preliminary enquiry or investigation. Once the trust factor is broken, it cannot be rebuilt again. Illustrating this point, the “Dharmatma fox” immediately gives his resignation from the position of being the tiger’s minister. In continuation with this point, we’ve seen yesterday that even if the tiger reinstates the “Dharmatma fox” to the minister position and tries to clear the allegations, what will the others think? Will the impression that the “Dharmatma fox” being a thief disappear from the others’ mind just like that? Once feigned in a bad way, remains forever, isn’t it? This is where the tiger should have been careful. By unduly punishing the “Dharmatma fox” without a formal inquiry, the tiger lost the trust of the “Dharmatma fox”. This can happen to all of us as well – This is why as an administrator, it is always important not to jump to an early conclusion without performing an inquiry into what has happened. Without knowing the facts, it is unjust and unfair to conclude that someone is wrong.
Narrating thus, Bhishmachaarya continues his accord to Yudishtra – “Oh Yudishtra! Now that we’ve seen how the trust factor works, let us look from the angle of the “Dharmatma fox”. All of us know how foxes are – Vicious, plotting against others, cunning, etc. However, this fox wanted to be a “Dharmatma”, unlike the others and as a result, look at how he was feigned by the tiger for no fault of his! Of course, whatever the tiger did was wrong – He should have investigated the case and then come to a conclusion. However, if we look at it from the fox’s perspective, just because the fox wanted to deviate from its true nature, he had to be feigned this way. Had he been the way in which other foxes were, he wouldn’t have been subjected to this kind of a treatment. Thus, the lesson here is very simple – If you deviate from your individuality, be prepared to be thrashed!”
Bhishmachaarya continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You are a “Kshatrya” warrior! You have to live according to the principles of the “Kshatrya Dharma”. Rather, if you’re trying to deviate from your normal self, you will definitely face a lot of criticism. Going to the forest, performing penance, begging your way for food, etc. are not part of your “Dharma”. You should always be an epitome of courage, confidence, valour and aggression. Only if you have these qualities in you, will people respect you! Oh Yudishtra! Let me tell you one more thing – People today aren’t willing to put in the required effort to achieve something. They are finding an easy way out for everything in life! Moreover, people start talking about performing penance, not because they really want to attain “Moksha”. They are trying to take this route in order to “escape” from their duties. They think that going to the forest, performing meditation / penance, etc. is very easy and nobody is going to question them. However, please understand that if you’re leaving behind your duties and try going away with this thought process, you are only running away from your duty!”
Now this comes as a shot in the arm for Yudishtra! Bhishmachaarya has exactly caught him on the wrong foot! If we recall our earlier discussions, it was evident that Yudishtra was not feeling good about continuing to rule Hastinaprua and instead, wanted to go away to the forest and perform penance. Bhishmachaarya now catches him with this point and directly nails his thought process. So how is Yudishtra going to react now? What is Bhishmachaarya going to reply to Yudishtra? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 