In the previous episode, we had continued with the discussion on “Raaja-Dharma” by Bhishmachaarya, wherein he now explains how one cannot run away from the clutches of his / her “Karma” (Duties / actions). Bhishmachaarya is specifically addressing this point because the entire discussion commenced with the fact that Yudishtra was trying to run away from his Hastinapura kingdom and wanted to perform penance in the forest. Of course, Bhagawan Krishna and several other Maharishis have dissuaded Yudishtra from doing so, however, in this context, Bhishmachaarya puts an ultimatum to Yudishtra that he shouldn’t be doing such things. Whatever “Karma” is meant for him, Yudishtra has to do it meticulously, rather than jumping into somebody else’s “Karma”. Here, Yudishtra being a “Kshatrya”, should administer his kingdom properly without any blemish. Rather, he shouldn’t be performing the “Karma” of a “Brahmana Rishi” to go into the forest and perform penance.
As we discuss this point, it is also important for all of us too, to understand our “Karma” and perform it meticulously. For instance, performing our daily “Sandhyavandanam”, “Gayatri Japam”, “Shraadham”, “Tarpanam”, etc. at the appropriate timings is very important and is part of our “Karma”. There is no escape from this. We’ve addressed this point in the previous episode as well – Some people proclaim that they aren’t in this “low level” wherein these “Karmas” should be performed! They claim that they’ve transcended to the highest “Gnyaana Yoga” and “Bhakti Yoga” wherein such “Karma” is not required to be performed! All these are rubbish statements! In this treacherous “Kali Yuga”, it is virtually impossible for normal people like us to transcend to any “Gnyaana Yoga” or “Bhakti Yoga”. Even if we do, it is a mandate that our “Nitya Karma” shouldn’t be compromised for the other two “Yogas”.
Narrating this, Bhishmachaarya is now going to highlight yet another story to Yudishtra to drive home this point clearly. Bhishmachaarya now narrates thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Till now we’ve seen the story of the tiger and the “Dharmatma fox” isn’t it? Now let us see the story of a camel. Once upon a time, a camel was living in this world. All of us know how camels are – Normally quite lazy to move here and there – They can store enormous amounts of water inside their body for a long time, and hence, they do not even need to go somewhere in search of water as well. This camel once performed a deep penance towards Bhagawan Brahma. As the camel does the deep penance (Which is quite unusual), Bhagawan Brahma was impressed. He appears in front of the camel and asks the reason behind its immense penance. As Bhagawan Brahma asks, the camel replies thus, “Oh Bhagawan Brahma! I feel that I want an ultra-long neck! The neck that I’m having now is not sufficient!” As the camel asks thus, Bhagawan Brahma is surprised! He initially did not understand what the camel wanted. Normally if we see a camel, it’s neck is pretty long and curved, isn’t it? How much more length of the neck does this camel want now?
As Bhagawan Brahma clarifies, the camel replies further thus, “Oh Bhagawan Brahma! Yes. My neck is longer in comparison to many other animals. However, this length is not sufficient for me! I want a neck which is a hundred “Yojanas” in length!” Readers might remember that one “Yojana” is around 10 miles in distance. Now, the camel is asking for a neck which is a thousand miles long! 🙂 Anyway! Since the camel is requesting thus, Bhagawan Brahma couldn’t do much! He has to give whatever the disciple asks for, and thus, gifts the camel with a neck which is a thousand miles long! As the camel gets it, the real fun begins now! The camel goes and sits in one place, and from here, it starts merely extending its ultra long neck in every possible direction to eat all the fruits, leaves, etc. from various trees! Since the length of the neck is more, it was able to easily reach out to trees which were a thousand kilometers away! Thus, eventually the camel became ultra-lazy, unwilling to even get up and move an inch from one place to the other! With this, the camel became an “epitome” of laziness!”
So for today, let us understand this story up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this forward and see what is going to happen to the camel next! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 