The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of our discussion on why we should try and avoid non-vegetarian food consumption as much as we can. We had been witnessing this narrative as part of the meat-vendor’s explanation of his “Dharma” to Sage Kaushika that even though he sells meat himself, he makes it a point not to consume it because he is walking the spiritual path. This prevents him from consuming non-vegetarian food because he realizes that Bhagawan resides in the hearts of all living beings. Of course, he continues his profession of killing animals to prepare the meat, because of his fundamental duties that he has to perform as part of his daily survival. However, he does it with detachment and this is something that is important for all of us. Hence, we should make sure that we follow the practice of abstaining ourselves from consuming non-vegetarian food, as we’re now walking the path of spiritual growth and development. Ultimately, we should remember here that we do not have any right to deny the fact that every living being wants to lead a peaceful and a happy life in their own respective capacities. If we’re not able to make our fellow living beings happy with some contributions, atleast let us not harm them and create an immeasurable pain in their lives. This is the basic that Bhagawan expects out of us. 

Moving on further, we are discussing many other allied points with regards to our food habits, and today, we’re going to witness yet another important point here – The nature of food that we consume is going to determine what kind of a person we are. For instance, in this context, if we’ve to walk the path of “Bhakti” and spiritual growth, “Saathvika Aahaaram” is very important. “Saathvika Aahaaram” is nothing but a package of food which is devoid of too much spice, too much sweet, too much sourness, too much bitterness and completely devoid of food that is prepared out of inflicting pain to other living beings. In English, we call this as a “Balanced Diet”, wherein with regards to the nutrient part, the food should cover everything that the body requires for effective functioning, and at the same time, these nutrients should come through sources that are sustainable and not through destruction. Hence, the concept of “Balanced diet” is nothing but “Saathvika Aahaaram”. Moreover, as per our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature, there is a mandate that we fast on certain days without consuming food or water. There are certain days of the month like “Ekaadasi”, wherein many of us undertake fasting practices as part of our spiritual development. Actually, fasting is an excellent practice as it gives a break to our stomach and the related digestion processes that are associated with it. Fasting gives an opportunity for the body to cleanse and flush out all the unwanted contents through the intestines. Thus, scientifically too, fasting has a lot of significance. Moreover, in the spiritual sense, fasting gives us “Vairagya” (Self-control and will-power) to withstand any kind of adverse situations in life. Thus, this fasting process also forms part of the “Saathvika Aahaaram”. 

Thus, if our “Aahaaram” (Food) is “Saathvik” in nature, automatically our mind and brain will function in a systematic and a constructive manner, which is essential for spiritual growth and development. Explaining all these points to Sage Kaushika, the meat vendor says thus, “Oh Sage! Given all these aspects of “Dharma” with respect to food, I’m following all these without any blemish. Of course, I’m cutting and selling meat, which is my generational job profile. My father, grandfather, etc. had been doing it for many years and I’m just continuing my family business. Hence, there is no fault in this activity according to me!” Saying all these, the meat vendor now takes Sage Kaushika to his home. As both of them reach home, the meat vendor falls on the feet of his aged parents and explains to Sage Kaushika thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! This is the secret behind my “Dharma”! I’m every day rendering selfless service to my parents who are sitting here. I’m of help to them in whatever way possible and this “Dharma” of mine is what is protecting me at all times!”

As the meat vendor explains thus, Sage Kaushika is extremely impressed and happy. However, he asks one more important question here to the meat vendor thus, “Oh meat vendor! I’m extremely impressed with the way how you are of service to your parents! Not many of them do this today and we see this “Dharma” aspect deteriorating with time. However, you seem to be an epitome of it. I see that you’re an embodiment of “Sattva Guna” as well. But tell me one thing – The nature of the job that you do everyday in your shop has the mighty potential to invoke a lot of “Rajo-Guna” and “Tamo Guna” into you. However, you’re able to keep all of that away and you’re able to enhance your “Sattva Guna” to a great extent! How is this possible for you? Can you explain to me?” 

As Sage Kaushika asks thus, the meat vendor is going to give an important answer. So for today, we shall understand up to this point and we shall wait till the next episode to witness the meat vendor’s perspective on this important question. Stay tuned for more updates! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed how refraining from non-vegetarian food consumption helps us in our spiritual growth and development. We’re witnessing this point as a narrative that the meat vendor gives to Sage Kaushika, which in turn is being narrated by Sage Maarkandeya to Yudishtra and Co. with regards to various aspects of “Dharma”, especially the “Pathivrata Dharma” and the “Maata-Pita-Sushrusha Dharma”. As Sage Kaushika questioned him on why the meat vendor refrains from consuming the meat that he sells, the meat vendor gives an important reply that he knows his “Dharma” of not consuming meat, as it gives a lot of negative vibrations, which is detrimental for spiritual growth. However, he sells it because it is the profession that he had to inherit for a long time, and this is something that Bhagawan had destined for it. Moreover, the meat vendor explains that he is selling the meat to those who do not realize this important aspect of spiritual development. In these lines, we witnessed in yesterday’s episode as to why it is important for us to avoid the consumption of non-vegetarian food, as it only ends up increasing our “Taamasa Guna”, which is laziness and dull feeling. Hence, readers should give this point a due thought as we progress further. 

Moving on thus, we might have a question here – Oh! If it is the case that we should not consume non-vegetarian food, isn’t it only for the Brahmins? We might be belonging to the Kshatriyas, or Vaishyas or any other community or religion too. These things might not be applicable to people like us, isn’t it? Now let me give a simple answer here – The moment we transform ourselves into “Bhaktas” (Ardent devotees) of Bhagawan, we should stop consuming non-vegetarian food, irrespective of whoever we are and from what community we come from! It is not different for different people. As I’ve mentioned earlier as well, all the four “Varnaashrama Dharmas” are equal and there is no high or low in this. Of course, I accept that it is a mandate for Brahmins to not consume non-vegetarian food, however, if other people are slowly transcending into the spiritual path, we too should refrain from consuming it. For Bhagawan, the “Bhakta” is important, and not the community from where the Bhakta comes from. Hence, whatever rule applies for a “Bhakta”, will apply for all the Bhaktas from all communities and religions. There is thus no difference here! Hence, people from any Varnaashrama Dharma will keep consuming non-vegetarian food, but once we start obtaining spiritual awareness, we should consciously strive to come out of this practice. 

Moreover, there is a “Dharma” for the Kali Yuga, isn’t it? For example, in the previous Yugas, a man was marrying multiple women and making them as his legal wives. However, in this “Kali Yuga”, can this be in practice? We will certainly not accept it, will we? Also, in those previous Yugas, even Brahmins were consuming non-vegetarian foods, and there are references for the same in our Sanaatana Dharma. However, they were able to attain “Moksha”, even though they had this practice. However, with regards to non-vegetarian food, it is the “Dharma” of Kali-Yuga that we as ardent “Bhaktas” of Bhagawan and as ardent followers of our “Sanaatana Dharma”, we should refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food. Hence, as per the “Dharma” of the present Kali-Yuga too, it is justified for Bhaktas to not consume these kinds of food. We should understand that it is the same Bhagawan who is dwelling in our hearts, dwells in the hearts of those living beings as well. So, by killing and consuming those living beings, aren’t we harming Bhagawan as well? We should think about this! 

Moreover, we might ask another question here – “Oh! We are not killing the animal / living being which we’re consuming, isn’t it? Somebody else is killing it and making a meal out of it for us! What is the problem if we’re consuming it?” I agree with this. However, the bigger question here is, who is consuming it! The point here is that, when we consume the killed body of an animal, it comes along with the bad vibrations. Hence, we’ve to be careful here. So for today, let us understand this point clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to witness the continuation of this discussion forward! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the meat vendor giving some important pointers to Sage Kaushika on how he sells meat, but he doesn’t eat anything that he sells. The meat vendor explains how he understands his “Dharma” of not consuming non-vegetarian food, which involves hurting and killing the animal(s) by separating them from their family. However, Sage Kaushika still questions him on his actions, even though he doesn’t consume meat. He says that anyway the animal is being killed, irrespective of whether the meat vendor is consuming it or not. However, the meat vendor has another answer for that as well – He says that it forms part of his duty and questions Sage Kaushika back saying that all of us keep killing some living being or the other every passing day for our survival. However, what is important here is that we should know our “Dharma” and walk the path of it meticulously. In this case, the meat vendor possesses the knowledge of the “Dharma Shaastra”, which prevents him potentially from consuming meat, even though he sells it. 

Now here’s an earnest appeal to all our readers – As we’re going through all these important parts of our Sanaatana Dharma, we should try consciously to stop consuming non-vegetarian food. We might ask for the reason behind this appeal. It is very simple – When we kill a living being, do we know how much pain we are causing to it? For instance, if a small needle pokes us somewhere in our hand or palm, we shriek with pain, don’t we? Now imagine this poor animal being poked with a sharp knife! How much of pain will that animal go through while we do this? Isn’t it a gross injustice to that animal, which also has equal rights like us to live a life without any harm on this earth? Moreover, if the animal is killed, how hurt will its mother feel? We should understand here that just like we humans recognize who our mother and father are, other animals also do. For instance, we might have witnessed this in a cowshed (Go-Shaala) wherein all the cows including the calves would be tied. Once the noose of the rope is loosened, the calves will directly run to their mother for drinking milk! Thus, the little calf will know exactly who its mother is and even if there are so many other cows, it will run straight to its mother! If such is the feeling of love and care that the calf shares with its mother, imagine a situation when the mother is being tortured and killed in front of the calf’s eyes! How pained will the calf feel? If such a thing happens to our mother or father, how painful will we feel? For instance, if we get caught by some criminals and if they try to abduct our parents on the road, won’t we feel that immense pain? Won’t that same amount of pain be there for the poor little calf when its mother is being dragged away from it? This same feeling extends to all types of animals and birds isn’t it? 

We should think of all this before we even touch non-vegetarian food! Moreover, by killing an animal and chopping it into pieces, do we even know how much bad vibrations emit from this process? Does any animal want to die happily? Or, even for human beings like us, do we like to die happily? Even if it is a natural death that happens to our parents or relatives at an older age, how bad do we feel? We cry and mourn over the loss of our near and dear ones, isn’t it? In this process, a lot of bad aura develops around us during these times, isn’t it? Won’t this be the same when it comes to animals? How can it be one rule for animals and another rule for human beings in nature? We should understand one thing very clearly – The law of nature is the same for everyone, including all the plants and animals as well. Hence, by killing animals mercilessly, we are only accumulating more and more sins and bad vibrations. This is why the “Taamasa Guna” starts getting higher and higher in those people who consume non-vegetarian food actively. This characteristic signifies being lazy all the time, feeling dull and sleepy every passing minute, etc. Now why do we get all these? It is because of the bad vibrations and aura that is emitted out, when these poor animals are butchered. Subsequently when we cook it and consume, that entire bad vibrations enter into our body and this causes a lot of complications! 

In fact, more than the physical complications that we might get, our spiritual growth gets hampered very badly when we consume non-vegetarian food. The bad vibrations kill all the good work that we try and do progressively everyday with regards to our spiritual growth and development! This is the reason why many astrologers would request at the onset of performing any “Parihaara” or “Homam” (Spiritual Offerings) that we stop consuming non-vegetarian food. We should understand that consuming non-vegetarian food causes a lot of negative impact, which is both harmful for our physical body and our “Atman”. We’re accumulating more and more treacherous sins by doing this act. 

Hence, as a sincere request to all our readers – Please reconsider your decision of eating non-vegetarian food each day. When you are getting into such a situation, please remember all these above-mentioned points that we’ve discussed today, and automatically our conscience will stop us from going near it in the future slowly. We shall understand this important point today and we shall continue this discussion forward in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Kaushika receiving yet another blow from the meat vendor when he questioned his profession. As Sage Kaushika asked him why he is selling meat on the roadside if his “Dharma” is very strong in him, and why doesn’t he move to another respectable profession other than this, the meat vendor explained how situations in a person’s life determine the nature of job that he / she does and the behaviors that he / she exhibit. This is also a very important learning for all of us and when we had concluded yesterday’s episode, I had left with an important question for all of us to explore within ourselves and answer – The job that we are in today – Are we in this job by interest and passion, or, are we in this job today because the situation that I’m in currently, forces me to take up this job? Moreover, the behavior and attitude that I have at this moment – Is it because I want to behave purposefully like this, or, is it the situation that is forcing me to behave in certain ways? I’m sure all of us would have started exploring our own self with these questions and let us continue to do so in the coming days as well. This is because, it is not easy to get answers for these questions upfront. Sometimes, these questions might be uncomfortable for us, but it is important for us to churn our “Vaasanas” (Inherent tendencies). Hence, let us take this as an opportunity to start questioning ourselves! 

Continuing with this discussion forward, the meat vendor explains further thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! You’re seeing that I’m selling meat, don’t you? But do you think I would have eaten even an inch of the meat that I’m selling? The answer is “Never”! Till today, I’ve never eaten meat in my life, even though I sell it! This is my profession and I have taken it as something that Bhagawan has given me to earn my living. That’s all! I do not look at this beyond this point. However, my “Sharanaagati Dharma” towards Bhagawan is intense as well. Hence, whatever Bhagawan wants me and intends to do with me, I’m perfectly fine with it!” As Sage Kaushika hears this from the meat vendor, he is even more surprised! He asks back thus, “Oh meat vendor! If that is the case, even killing a living being and making a profession out of it is a “Paapa Karma” isn’t it? Of course, not eating meat is obviously good and I appreciate it. But at the same time, killing the animal is also bad, isn’t it?” 

For this, the meat vendor gives a beautiful reply thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! Please tell me one thing – Aren’t we killing living beings constantly every passing day for our comfortable survival? We have our homes built in a nice way. For this, how many living beings have we displaced from this place and how many have died because of it? We prepare food every day to eat and in this process, how many small germs and bacteria are we killing every day with heat and light? We are breathing in air and breathing it out, and in this process, how many small living beings are we killing inside our lungs? We’re walking every day from one place to the other and in the process, how many living beings are we stamping under our feet and killing? So according to me, if we start looking at things in this way, we cannot lead a life. Hence, this process of “killing” is part and parcel of the journey called life!” 

Saying thus, the meat vendor continues furthermore here – “Oh Sage Kaushika! I had just said that I do not consume meat, didn’t I? Now I myself will answer why I do not consume meat – It is simply because I know how bad it is according to our “Dharma-Shaastra”. If one knows and understands our “Dharma-Shaastra”, he / she will not consume meat. However, if one doesn’t know the same, he / she will still continue eating meat, and I’m selling meat only for those who do not have any knowledge about our “Dharma-Shaastra” at all. Of course, if someone knows the “Dharma-Shaastra” very well, he / she is never going to come near my shop for buying what I sell, isn’t it? So, I have the “Sharanaagathi” towards Bhagawan and I know that consuming meat is bad, and hence, I refrain myself from doing so!” 

Such was the reply from the meat vendor, which made Sage Kaushika extremely thoughtful! Perhaps the meat vendor is at an extremely high level of spirituality here? Such was the thought in Sage Kaushika’s mind! As we witness this answer from the meat vendor, I have an earnest appeal to all our fellow readers – As we’re going through all these important parts of our Sanaatana Dharma, we should try consciously to stop consuming non-vegetarian food. Why is this so? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Kaushika interacting with the meat vendor, and he too was able to guess Sage Kaushika’s intentions very clearly! As the meat vendor requested Sage Kaushika to come along to his home, Sage Kaushika took a step back, and this made the meat vendor blurt out all that he knew about Sage Kaushika. He clearly said that Sage Kaushika didn’t want to come here, but for that woman who urged him to go and meet this meat vendor! Upon hearing this, Sage Kaushika was utterly surprised and he asked the meat vendor as to how he knew all this! The meat vendor clearly replied back to Sage Kaushika that he was none other than an ordinary human being, selling meat for his survival. However, he had been following the “Dharma” of taking care of his aged parents meticulously, and it is this “Dharma” that makes him foresee a lot of things. It is this “Dharma” that is protecting him from many dangers that he encounters in his life. Upon hearing this, Sage Kaushika was visibly taken aback and with this, Sage Kaushika realizes how “Pathivrata Dharma” and the “Dharma” of taking care of one’s aged parents are extremely important in the life of a human being. 

Moving on thus, as Sage Kaushika is now about to leave thoughtfully, he quickly asks the meat vendor a question – “Oh meat vendor! You say that you know so many things about “Dharma” and the “Dharma” that you do is protecting you at all times. However, why are you doing this wretched profession of selling meat? Why don’t you do something better in your life for your survival? Selling meat to others is a sinful job isn’t it? Why don’t you think of something better than this?” As Sage Kaushika asks thus, the meat vendor replies back, “Oh Sage Kaushika! Who are you to decide which job / profession is bad or good? Who gave you this authority to decide what is good and bad for me in my life? You are not supposed to make such decisions! I’m saying this to you because, you’ve to understand that any job in this world is good / bad according to the person who does it. There is nothing in this world called “good job” or “bad job”. It all depends on the situation in which the person is at that point in time to take up that job or not. For me, my situation at that time of taking up this job was conducive for me to do this, and hence I’m till date performing this job for my survival. Hence for everything in life, situations decide the course of people’s actions and jobs. For instance, if a hunter is chasing a cow and the cow is going and hiding inside a Maharishi’s house – When the hunter asks the Maharishi as to where the cow is, and the Maharishi boldly replies that the cow that he is hunting down never came here! We might ask how come a Maharishi who is profound in his spiritual practice is simply and blatantly lying? But at that point in time, the situation demands the Maharishi to tell a lie, so as to protect the cow, isn’t it? If the Maharishi would have been true by saying that the cow is inside his house, immediately the hunter would have entered and cut the cow into pieces, isn’t it? However, due to the compelling situation to save the life of a poor cow, the Maharishi had to lie! Thus, we can understand here as to how the situation in which a human being is living determines the way in which he / she behaves and also the job that he / she performs!” 

We can also witness this in today’s scenario – We shall today perform a small exercise within ourselves. Now let us ask this question within us – The job that we are in today – Are we in this job by interest and passion, or, are we in this job today because the situation that I’m in currently, forces me to take up this job? Moreover, the behavior and attitude that I have at this moment – Is it because I want to behave purposefully like this, or, is it the situation that is forcing me to behave in certain ways? If we ask these questions within us, we would get startling answers! So for today, let us explore within ourselves with these questions and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Kaushika realizing the importance of “Pathivrata Dharma” through a woman whom he had met while going around collecting his “Bhiksha”. As this woman was serving her ailing husband and her in-laws, Sage Kaushika was made to wait and this made him extremely angry. This led to a debate and a war of words between Sage Kaushika and that woman, and eventually the woman made fun of Sage Kaushika by reminding him that his technique of burning down the innocent swan for not complying to his requirement and expectation wouldn’t work with her! She was steadfast on her “Dharma” and asserted herself that this “Dharma” would protect her if at all she had to undergo any sort of curse from him. This answer from the woman made Sage Kaushika think, rather than going ahead and inflicting the curse on her. Moreover, she adds that if at all he wants to know anything about “Dharma”, he has to go and meet a person who is a meat-seller on the roadside in the city. Upon listening to this proposal from the woman, Sage Kaushika’s ego was hurt, however, he refrained from reacting angrily to that woman because he realized that there’s a point in what she is saying! 

As the woman says thus, Sage Kaushika moves out silently without making any further mess. He slowly walks towards the Mithila Desha and searches for this person whom she had wanted him to meet. He ultimately finds out after a lot of searching, that person whom this lady was referring to. However, when Sage Kaushika went near him, there was a lot of flesh and meat strewn everywhere around! A pungent and unbearable smell was coming out from that entire place, which made Sage Kaushika very uncomfortable. Obviously one can only expect such a level of cleanliness when it comes to a meat shop, isn’t it? Upon seeing all this, Sage Kaushika thinks within himself thus, “Oh wow! Look at my fate! Who is this fellow afterall? A roadside vendor who is selling meat! What should I learn from him? This is so disgusting and I can never digest this in my life. Anyway, let me not waste any time standing here and let me get to my job of interacting with him!” Thinking thus, Sage Kaushika walks towards that meat vendor. However, to his utter dismay, there are ten other Rishis who are waiting to see this person! This startles Sage Kaushika a bit, and he did not understand what is going on here! However, Sage Kaushika realizes one thing very clearly here – This so-called meat vendor is not an ordinary person as he was thinking earlier! So anyway, he decides to wait for the meat vendor to come. 

As the vendor sees Sage Kaushika waiting for him, he comes up to Sage Kaushika and talks thus, “Oh great Sage! Welcome to my shop! As the shop is not a very conducive place for us to sit and talk, let us go to my home and we can talk as much as we want!” As the meat vendor invites him to his home, Sage Kaushika gets puzzled. He asks back thus, “You do not even know who I am, and what are you going to talk about after we reach your home? You never even asked me for what purpose I had come to meet you!” For this, the meat vendor gives a witty reply thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! First tell me one thing – You came here to meet me only on the advice given by that woman who is an epitome of the “Pathivrata Dharma” isn’t it? You never came on your own, did you?” As Sage Kaushika hears thus, he gets stunned! He thinks within himself thus, “Oh wow! How come these people guess so many things about me so correctly? On one hand, that woman correctly says that I had cursed a swan before I went to her, and here, on the other hand, this man says correctly that this woman sent me here! What is going on? I couldn’t believe what was happening around me!” 

Thinking thus, Sage Kaushika asks the meat vendor thus, “Oh vendor! I guess you know that woman already before! Did both of you co-ordinate and discuss with each other earlier that Sage Kaushika will come to you? Else, how do you know that she is the one who sent me to you?” Upon listening to this question from Sage Kaushika, the meat vendor did not know whether to laugh or cry! However, he laughs out loudly and declares that nobody had informed him earlier that Sage Kaushika would come and meet him! He also explains that he doesn’t know who that woman is! However, you might ask me how did I know that you were sent here by a woman! I’m regularly doing selfless service to my aged parents with all my dedication and involvement! This involvement in what I’m doing, is making me walk the path of “Dharma”, and this “Dharma” gives me this foresightedness to understand what is happening in your life! Thus, it is not because I know the woman or something like that! It is only because of the sheer power that my “Dharma” gives me in knowing about people and their behaviours! Similarly, that woman was able to identify who you are because she was steadfast in her “Dharma” of taking care of her husband and her in-laws. Thus, we know what all happens outside, however, unlike you, we do not show our knowledge to the outside world! We keep all this within ourselves and only if you come and ask us, we express our knowledge! Thus, Sage Kaushika! This is the secret behind following “Dharma” meticulously! If we do this, we will automatically be protected against eventuality at any point in time! This is something you should understand and realize!” 

This answer from the meat vendor shocks Sage Kaushika even more! With this, he also realizes how the “Pathivrata Dharma” and the “Dharma” towards our aged parents are very important at all times. So let us also take this opportunity for today, to realize these two important aspects of “Dharma” along with Sage Kaushika and let us try to put them in practice as well! We shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Maarkandeya explaining the significance of the “Pathivrata Dharma” through a small illustration of Sage Kaushika meeting a woman who is an epitome of this aspect of “Dharma”. Sage Kaushika, as we had witnessed yesterday, goes around to obtain “Bhiksha” for his meal of the day. As he was going around, he comes across a woman who is very pious and he enters her home, seeking some food from her. As he entered, he was made to wait by the woman, who was at that time serving her ailing husband. As he was made to wait, Sage Kaushika got very angry and shouted at the woman when she came to him. He asked her angrily as to how fair it is to keep a sage waiting like this! In return, the woman asked him back calmly as to how fair it is for a great sage to get angry like this! A sage should be an epitome of calmness and patience, isn’t it? If he is getting angry this way, just for a simple reason of being made to wait, and that too for a genuine reason, what is there to get angry about? 

Moving on thus, as the woman replies calmly in this way, Sage Kaushika gets even more angry! He now takes his “Kamandalam” (Vessel) quickly, pours some water in his hand from it and is about to inflict a curse on her. He starts saying the curse thus, Oh! Since you’ve spoken like this to me, I’m inflicting a curse on you….” Even as Sage Kaushika could complete his sentence, the woman stops him and asks back thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! Please stop this! Don’t do all this with me! Do you think I’m that innocent swan upon whom you inflicted your curse upon for the first time?” 🙂 Upon hearing this, Sage Kaushika is stunned! How does she know that I just inflicted a curse on that swan and put it to death with my mere looks? With this thought process running in his mind, Sage Kaushika calms down a bit and asks her, “How do you know that I just cursed a swan? You’re not a normal woman. Please tell me who you are!” 

As Sage Kaushika asks thus, the woman replies back: “Oh Sage Kaushika! I know whatever you’ve done in the past. Don’t worry! I’m strong in my “Dharma”. I’m serving my ailing husband to the best of my ability. Moreover, I’m also serving my aged in-laws in whatever way they want me to serve. Hence, since I follow my “Paathivrathyam” meticulously, this is the one which makes me to realize who you are. I’m of course not a great sage like you. But since I follow my “Dharma” correctly, I obtain this realization!”

The woman continues further thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! I’m actually nothing at all! You now go to the city side and meet someone called Vaadha. He is someone who sells meat by the roadside. Go and meet him and he will make you understand various other aspects of “Dharma” as well!” As the woman says thus, Sage Kaushika couldn’t stand it anymore. His ego hurt him a lot. He replies back thus, “Oh! Of course, I can understand your Paathivrathyam, but now who is this Vaadha? Why should I go and meet him, who is afterall a salesman of meat? Do you even know whom you’re talking with?” As the sage says thus, the woman replies in her own witty style as usual: “Of course I know who you are! I know that you do not know any aspect of “Dharma” properly! You first go there and meet this person. Once you do, you will know what “Dharma” really is! Hence, don’t waste your time standing here and talking with me!” 

As the woman says thus, Sage Kaushika did not have anything else to talk to her! He quietly leaves the place and goes to the person whom she wanted him to meet. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall wait till the next episode, to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Maarkandeya narrating an important aspect of “Dharma”, wherein it is the bound duty of a son to take care of his parents during their old age. However, Sage Maarkandeya also feels sad that this “Dharma” is not being followed properly in the present day by people. If Sage Maarkandeya had to feel sad during the “Dvaapara Yuga”, what should we say about the present “Kali Yuga”? What we can assume simply is that none of us, (or only a handful of us) is following this “Dharma” properly! Of course, there are a multitude of factors contributing to the gross violation of this “Dharma” – The main factor being the attitude of the wife’s family. If the in-laws (Wife’s parents, siblings, etc.) are of an extremely dominating and a self-centred type, it becomes very difficult for the husband to execute his duties towards his parents. We’re witnessing this in many families today and this is one of the main reasons why couples end up in divorce in the present situation. There should be a balance in terms of family interference in the affairs of a couple, and if this balance is starting to tilt, it becomes difficult to manage. 

Moving on thus, Sage Maarkandeya is now going to explain the next aspect of “Dharma” which Yudishtra had asked earlier – The “Pathivratha Dharma”. He says this in the next Parva thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Let me tell you one small incident and through this I shall drive home an important point pertaining to this. There was once a Brahmana Rishi by name Kaushika. This Kaushika was once sitting beneath a tree and was performing penance. On top of the tree there was a swan sitting, and by mistake, the swan excreted on Kaushika’s head. Upon realizing this, the Rishi got extremely angry and had a fierce look at the swan. With this one look itself, the swan was burnt down to ashes! Upon seeing this, Sage Kaushika was extremely happy with the power of penance that he has gained over time. Moving on with this, Sage Kaushika continued with his penance for the day, and slept off. Next day morning as he woke up, he started to go around obtaining the “Bhiksha” for his meal. Normally, Sage Kaushika will only go to those houses to obtain “Bhiksha” wherein people are living with a high-level of “Atma-Shuddhi” (Spiritual advancement and a clean mind). Thinking thus, Sage Kaushika went to a woman’s house. Sage Kaushika had heard a lot about this woman, and he knows that she is an epitome of various aspects of “Dharma”. When Sage Kaushika knocks at her door, her husband comes out to receive him. However, he was not feeling well. The woman comes out and requests Sage Kaushika to wait for a moment, as she had to urgently serve her husband with food, due to his illness. It is the duty of the wife to take care of the husband at all times, isn’t it? 

Thinking thus, this woman requested Sage Kaushika to wait. However, this did not go well with Sage Kaushika. How can a Brahmana Rishi be asked to wait, without giving priority? Thinking thus, Sage Kaushika was waiting for the woman to come. Finally, after a few minutes, the woman turned up. She had finished serving her husband by that time and by the time she came to Sage Kaushika, he was fuming with anger! Sage Kaushika asks her thus, “Is it fair on your part to make a Brahmana Rishi wait like this? What were you doing all this while? Don’t you know your priorities?” As Sage Kaushika angrily asks thus, the woman replies calmly: “Oh Great Sage! I understand the reason for your anger! However, just like how my priorities are important for you, your priorities are important for me too – As a Brahmana Rishi, patience is very important for you, isn’t it? I expected you to be patient till I come. The essence of intense Tapas is to be patient, isn’t it? Hence, if my priority according to you is not to make a Brahmana Rishi wait, your priority towards me is patience! If you’re not exhibiting it, how can you point fingers at me?” 

Now this is becoming a sort of a debate between Sage Kaushika and the woman. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and let us wait till the next episode to witness Sage Kaushika’s reply to the woman! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Maarkandeya’s accord on why Bhagawan Vishnu is being worshipped as Bhagawan Madhusudhana and the background story of how Bhagawan Vishnu destroyed the Madhu-Kaidavas. Subsequently, we’ve also commenced witnessing another important question that is being raised by Yudishtra to Sage Maarkandeya, and it is about two important aspects of “Dharma” – “Pathivratha Dharma” and the “Dharma” that all of us have towards our parents. Yudishtra asks a pertinent question here as to what are the benefits one would receive if he / she follows these two aspects of “Dharma” meticulously throughout their lives. This is going to invite a beautiful and a very detailed answer from Sage Maarkandeya and we’re going to witness this in today’s episode. 

Now as Yudishtra asks thus, Sage Markandeya commences his reply. He explains to Yudishtra thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve asked a very important question. It is nowadays very rare to find people following these two aspects of “Dharma” in this world. However, let me first tell you something very important. What does a mother and a father do to their child in general? When it comes to a mother, a mother is always going to do whatever the child likes the most. However, when it comes to a father, a father is always going to do whatever is beneficial and good for the child. There is a slight difference here – For instance, if the child likes a particular food dish and when the child asks for it, the mother can’t hold herself back from preparing that dish. She is going to go to any extent to prepare that dish which the child is asking her. However, can the child take this same kind of liberty to its father? The father can be quite strict, as in many families, he would be the sole breadwinner. He will know what is good and what is bad for the child. Of course, not to discount, the mother also knows it very well, but when it comes to the implementation part, the father proves to be more strict with the child as compared to the mother. Thus, in the life of a child, both are important – The child should get what it likes, and at the same time, the child should not get over-pampered. For instance, if the child likes a sweet, the mother cannot keep making that sweet everyday for the child. It might cause a lot of problems. At the same time, just because discipline is important, the father cannot have the stick constantly in his hand to implement strictness. Thus, a blend of both is important for the overall personal growth of a child, isn’t it?”

Saying thus, Sage Maarkandeya continues further, “Oh Yudishtra! Thus we can see here how important are the roles of both the father and the mother towards the child. In return to this, what is the child expected to do as he grows up? Isn’t it his duty to take care of both of them when they get older? When this child was small, the parents took all the pains and efforts against so many odds to bring him up isn’t it? Now, when these parents are getting aged and when their mobility and physical health deteriorates with age, doesn’t the son possess the moral responsibility to take care of them in the best way possible? However, Oh Yudishtra! This “Dharma” is sadly deteriorating with time. Children are becoming more and more irresponsible and they discount their own parents for their personal joy and convenience!” 

We can see how pained Sage Maarkandeya is, when he narrates this accord. We should remember one thing – When Sage Maarkandeya is narrating this accord, this is happening during the “Dvaapara Yuga”. Now we’re in the Kali Yuga and we’re more than 5000 years into the Kali Yuga. Now we can imagine how the situation will be! If Sage Maarkandeya was getting pained at the situation during the “Dvaapara Yuga” itself, what would he say upon looking at what we’re doing today in the present “Kali Yuga”? It is indeed a sad state of affairs in many families today. The problem starts like this – As Sage Maarkandeya explained earlier, when the couple gets married, the girl’s parents start dominating a lot and they try all the tricks in the trade to separate the boy from his parents. The narrative that these girls’ parents are shamelessly giving is that their daughter wants to be in a “nuclear family” and she doesn’t like “extra baggage” to be with her! This is the starting point, and unfortunately in many cases, just because the marriage has to be protected, the husband has to start adjusting to whatever tunes the wife wants him to dance! Eventually, the husband ends up sacrificing his duties that he has to perform towards his parents, and in many cases, the couple goes to the extent of sending the aged parents to “old-age homes”! Such is the scenario in today’s “Kali Yuga” and of course, as Sage Maarkandeya rightly pointed out earlier, the situation is only worsening with days and years passing by! 

So for today, let us understand how important it is for all of us to respect and perform selfless service towards our parents when they get aged. At any cost, we should never compromise our parents for anything in life. Everything in life comes secondary – Including a marriage! According to me, it is even better to sacrifice a marriage, rather than sacrificing our own parents at a time when they need our services more. Service towards our aged parents is of paramount importance and we should never let go of them at any stage in our life. So let us realize this point very clearly and let us wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the Madhu-Kaidavas wreaking havoc with both Bhagawan Brahma and Bhagawan Vishnu. As we’ve witnessed earlier, the Madhu-Kaidavas took birth from the fat tissue of Bhagawan Vishnu and as they are Raakshasas by birth, they started to show their tantrums on Bhagawan Vishnu and Bhagawan Brahma. As they started to violently stir the umbilical cord that connects Bhagawan Vishnu and Bhagawan Brahma. Bhagawan Brahma upon being terrified, initially offered to grant boons to them. However, the Madhu-Kaidavas were’t prepared to get convinced with all this. Instead, they immediately retorted to Bhagawan Brahma that if he requires any boons from them, he can go ahead and ask! This was the same behavior that was meted out to Bhagawan Vishnu as well, when He tried to convince the Madhu-Kaidavas to stop their nonsense. As Bhagawan Vishnu asked the same question, the Madhu-Kaidavas replied in a very smart manner by saying that they shall be killed by Him only – But in a place wherein there is not even one object or any sort of vegetation! 

As this happens, Bhagawan Vishnu initially thought that this is not going to be a very difficult task from Him, however, when He began searching for such a place all around the world, and in different Lokhas, but for His dismay, He was not able to find anything of that sort at all! Now Bhagawan Vishnu thinks within Himself that perhaps He has made a mistake in giving such a commitment to these Madhu-Kaidavas! Meanwhile, the Madhu-Kaidavas continue to wreak havoc with both Bhagawan Vishnu and Bhagawan Brahma. Finally, without any other option, Bhagawan Vishnu opens His dress in His thigh portion, clears it and brings the Madhu-Kaidavas there. Now this thigh portion is one place wherein there are no other objects and vegetation! Hence, Bhagawan Vishnu uses this opportunity to crush the Madhu-Kaidavas with both His thighs and put them to death! Even the Madhu-Kaidavas did not anticipate that Bhagawan Vishnu would come up with this sort of a plan and eventually they breathed their last! Thus, since Bhagawan Vishnu single handedly killed both the Madhu-Kaidavas, He came to be known as Bhagawan Madhusudhana. Narrating this accord, Sage Maarkandeya explains how Bhagawan Vishnu is the ultimate supreme power in this world and how He proved it through this instance of killing the Madhu-Kaidavas. 

Now moving on further thus, Sage Maarkandeya explains a very important aspect here. He’s now going to talk about the “Pathivrata Dharma” that every woman should follow in her life. From now, we’re going to witness how it is important to be a “Pathivratha” to a husband, and how it is important to be of selfless service to the parents and after this, Draupati and Satyabhama are going to have an important and an interesting conversation with each other. Now we shall commence with the details that Sage Maarkandeya is going to give with regards to the “Pathivrata Dharma”. The interaction begins like this – Yudishtra is asking Sage Maarkandeya thus, “Oh Sage Maarkandeya! Is it always the duty of the wife to be of selfless service to her husband? Why is it so? What are the benefits that she is going to gain by following this “Pathivratha Dharma”? Moreover, what are the benefits that a son will receive if he is of selfless service to his aged parents? In these challenging times, both these aspects of “Dharma” are very difficult to follow and it is becoming very rare to find people following these aspects of “Dharma”! Hence, Sage Maarkandeya! I request you to throw some light on these two aspects of “Dharma” to all of us!” 

As Yudishtra asks these questions, Sage Maarkandeya replies thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve asked very important and very pertinent questions here. Of course, as you’ve rightly said, it is quite rare to find people following these two aspects of “Dharma” today, and in the future, it is going to be even more difficult to find such people. Now let me explain the fundamental rights and duties of the mother and father towards the child!” 

Saying thus, Sage Markandeya is going to explain a very important accord here, and we shall wait till the next episode to commence this important answer. Stay tuned! 🙂