Yudhishthira worries

Introduction

We have already encountered sage Durvasa earlier. He was the one who gave Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, the five Mantras to get children. He caused Sakuntala to suffer by making her lover to forget all about her. He appears in a story in this episode. We shall meet him again in the next chapter, too. This sage is famous for his short temper. He is also easily pleased.

Vyasa has an extremely short chapter immediately after the Kauravas’ adventure in the Dwaita forest. It is titled “animals in dream (Mruga Swapnodbhava Parvam)”.

Yudhishthira had a dream one day while in that forest. Animals there came in a group and expressed their fear of extinction because of the Pandavas. They were causing large scale reduction in their numbers and destruction of their source of food. The animals in dream pleaded with Yudhishthira to go elsewhere.

Yudhishthira realized that the animals had a point. Hunting in large scale was taking place all around. The Pandava took pity on the animals and decided to move out and get back to the Kamyaka from where they had entered the Dwaita forest earlier.
The chapter ends here.

The story of Mudgala

Yudhishthira was disheartened after suffering in forests for long eleven years. There was another year to go. Then, they had to spend yet another year in hiding. How would they manage? The Pandava prince was in a dejected mood.

It was then that Vedavyasa appeared, as though reading his mind. Vyasa assured Yudhishthira that they would finish their thirteen years in exile successfully. Then, the Pandava would rule his vast empire for long years in an exemplary manner. The secret of success, according to the sage, in the remaining year was to adhere to the strict code of ascetics and face hardships with a happy mind.

He gave the example of an ascetic by name Mudgala who lived in the forests of Kurukshetra. He adhered to the two difficult disciplines followed in advanced stage of meditation. One is called Unchavrutti where the ascetic eats only what he can collect from the grains laid waste in fields after harvesting. The second is known as Kapotavrutti, which is the habit of pigeons. Those birds are said to have a hand to mouth existence, never storing anything for the next day.

Mudgala lived strictly following those principles. One day sage Durvasa came and asked for food. Mugdala had spent days in fasting. It was the day for him to break his fast with the small measure of paddy he collected that day. But, he gladly served the sage with whatever he had and went without food for the next few days. He was again going to eat when Durvasa appeared on the scene and begged for food. Mudgala did not hesitate to serve his share of food to his guest that day also. This apparent test on the tolerance of sage Mudgala was repeated several times. Mudgala remained unshaken in his resolve every time.

Sage Durvasa was extremely pleased with his host. He blessed Mudgala with a place heaven immediately.

But, when the messenger of god came to take Mudgala the sage asked him about life in heaven. The envoy replied. “Life is great there. There is no sorrow. You enjoy the result of your good deeds there. But, you do not earn additional merits while in heaven. Hence, the moment you exhaust your account you fall back on earth for further cycles of life and death”.

Sage Mudgala then politely told his visitor.” In that case I do not desire heaven. Let me continue the way I live now and earn salvation to a world from where I do not have to return”.

Sage Vyasa asked Yudhishthira to remain contended and face hardships with courage. So saying he left the place assuring the Pandavas of better days ahead for them.

The chapter with the tile “a measure of paddy (Vreehee Draunika Parvam)”ends here.