It was the fortieth day after Vararuchi had left the palace of Vikramaditya in search of an answer for the riddle: what was the best verse in Ramayana? Needless to say, that no satisfactory answer was found to that intriguing question of the king.
Vararuchi had roamed over the breadth and width of the country and even outside, meeting scholars of repute. None could give a good enough answer. If he could not return to the king next day with a proper answer what would happen to him?
That day the poor Brahmin could not find any house where he could satisfy his hunger and get the much needed rest. When night came the poet found himself within a forest. It was too dark to get to the nearest village. He was tired from long walks, and from hunger and thirst. He lied down under a palm tree and tried to get some sleep. But, as was customary, first he prayed to the guardian deities of the forest (vana devata) for protection.
Yet, sleep escaped from the tormented mind of the Brahmin. He lay down with thoughts of his bleak future. He had lost hopes of life itself. Slowly, because of exhaustion, the poor Brahmin drowsed off.
The clue
He was woken up in the middle of night by a conversation. The voices came from the top of the tree. “Welcome, friends. What brought you here?” “We are on a visit to the hut of the Paraya (of low birth) family in the next village. The woman is due to give birth. We are on our way, as it is our duty to visit the house and bless the child. Won’t you join us?” “Unfortunately, not. This Brahmin has prayed for our protection before he went to sleep. We cannot move away from this place until he wakes up. Do come this way on your return and tell us about the delivery.”
Vararychi was intrigued by the conversation. Obviously it was between the deities of forests, the hosts being the ones to whom he prayed for protection. His vast learning must have included the language (and sound) of non-human beings as well. Vararuchi, soon got into a light sleep again.
He was woken up later, towards early morning by similar voices coming from up the palm tree. This time the conversation went like this: “Are you already on your way back? What was the baby like?” “The Paraya woman has delivered a pretty little girl.” “That is wonderful. Who is going to marry her?” “This Brahmin, who does not know ’know me (maam viddhi)’ ”.
There was silence from the top of the tree after that . But, those brief words flashed the desperately sought verse in Ramayana in Vararuchi’s mind. “maam viddhi ? Of course, that indicates to the stanza in Ramayana which goes:”
“Think of Rama as (your father,) Dasaratha
Know me to be Seetha (actually, know Seetha to be me, because of the two nouns in the accusative case, me and Seetha)
Think of Ayodhya as the forest
My son! Go well”
(raamam daSaratham viddhi
maam viddhi janakaadmajaam
Ayodhyaam ataveem viddhi
gaccha taata yathaa sukham)
Those were the famous parting words of Sumitra spoken to her son Lakshmana (the brother of Rama) when he went to his mother to bid good bye. Dasaratha was the king and Rama was the eldest brother and the favourite of the king for the throne. He had two step mothers and three brothers. Kaikeyi was the youngest of the three queens and the the most beautiful. Because of her ambition in favour of her own son, Bharata, Rama was asked to go in exile into the forest at the instance of his father, Dasaratha, for fourteen years. Rama’s other brother, Lakshmana, wanted to accompany him and Seetha (Rama’s wife) to the forest. What Sumitra meant was that her son would survive the hardships of life in forest by thinking of Rama and Seetha as his parents and the forest as his palace, Ayodhya.
The clue given by the deities helped the wise Vararuchi to immediately arrive at the long sought answer to the king’s query. Of course, Vararuchi thought, this verse could be treated as the most important one in the entire Ramayana. He wondered why neither he nor any of the other scholars he had approached could think of it earlier.
Soon, it was dawn. Vararuchi could not wait any longer to rush to his king and report his chanced discovery on the very last day of the permitted period.
Meanwhile, Vikramaditya had been spending his days in palace with a heavy heart. There had been no news of his dear friend all those days. Finally, the last day of the time given to find an answer came. Vikramaditya was waiting anxiously in his court. Then he saw his poet friend arriving hurriedly. The king guessed from the beaming face of his friend that he was successful, at last, in his search.
The king asked. “Did you find out which verse is the most important?” Vararuchi recited the verse and explained the meaning and its implication. He further clarified that the most important phrase in the verse was “Think of Seetha as me (your mother)”, indicated by the “Maam Viddhi”. The king was very pleased and showered valuable gifts on the great scholar.
(To be continued)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Ascension (Continued)
As Yudhishthira was recovering from the shock of the sights in hell he heard a voice coming from Indra, addressing him: “Yudhishthira, we gods are pleased with you. Do you remember the lie you told your teacher, Drona, about the killing of his son, Aswatthama? The noble Drona believed you and, grief stricken, gave up arms. You had to be in hell for that brief period on account of that. You are now cleansed of that sin and now merit a place in heaven where your great predecessors like Hariscandra, Bharata and Mandhata live. I intentionally created a false hell and showed your brothers and wife there. They are all enjoying life in heaven. You need not have worries about them.”
Dharmaraja also spoke welcoming words to his son. “Son, this was the third time I tested you and demonstrated your adherence to Dharma under all circumstances to the worlds. Take a holy dip in the heavenly Ganga now and abandon your body there. Its sacred waters will also cleanse your mind of all earthly sentiments like sorrow, hatred and envy.”
Meeting with his brothers and Krishna
Krishna was the first whom the Pandava king met there, after he abandoned his body. The Yadava prince was found holding his famous weapons and in the company of Arjuna. Krishna welcomed his cousin with all the love and due respect.
Yudhishthira, next, found Karna in the middle of the twelve suns (dwaadaSa aaaditya) and Bhima seated next to the god of air (vaayu). Nakula and Sahadeva were spotted by the side of the healers of heaven, the Aswinis.
In the presence of Draupadi
Yudhishthira was astounded by the sight of Draupadi shining even more beautiful than ever. Indra promptly reminded the Pandava of her birth. “Draupadi was the goddess of beauty (Sreedevi) before she took birth as the daughter of Drupada, at the express wish of Siva, and became your queen.” Indra alsopointed out to Yudhishthira the five sons of the Pandavas born of Draupadi in the middle of divinities in heaven.
With the Kurus
Yudhishthira continued with introductory tour of heaven, meeting others with whom he was close on earth, with the help of Indra. The king of gods promptly pointed out Pandu to Yudhishthira and said. “Your father pays me a visit every day, riding on his heavenly vehicle, in the company of his two wives, Kunti and Madri.”
Yudhishthira, similarly, saw his uncle, Dhritarashtra in the company of the Gandharvas. Bhishma was with the other seven Vasus and Drona was located shining next to Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods.
The conclusion of the story of Mahabharata
Thus sage Vaisampayana concluded the main story of Mahabharata. By then Janamejaya had come to the close of the sacrifice of serpents. He offered various gifts to the participating Brahmins and returned to Hastinapura from Takshasila (takshaSila) where the sacrifice was conducted.
At the end of the book there is a brief section about the benefits (phalaSruti) of reading the story. It talks of the various positive gains (puNya) and of the cleansing of different type of sins by the reading of the text. There is a separate section on the proper procedure, almost as a ritual, for the reading or listening to its reading.
Vedavyasa states in this context that the epic was compiled in the course of three years.
There is also a stanza called a Gayatri which may be taken as the essential teaching of Mahabharata. It says. “Never abandon Dharma because of lust, fear or greed or even for the sake of life, because, Dharma is eternal. Happiness and sorrow are not. The soul is permanent, not its cause (na jaatu kaamaa nna bhayaa nna lobhaad dharmam tyajed jeevitasyaapi hetoh/ nityo dharmah sukhadukhetvanitye jeevo nityo hetu rasya tvanityah).”
To the question of Janamejaya about the duration of stay of the Kurus in heaven sage Vaisampayana explained: “The stay in heaven or hell is the result of one’s actions in this world. The duration is determined by the action itself. At the end, ordinary souls take birth assuming new bodies and go through the cycle of birth and death until they attain salvation. In the case of many of the Pandavas they were divine souls taking human body for a specific reason. After enjoying their stay in heaven they returned to their original souls, as Yudhishthira did with Dharmaraja, Bhima with Vayu and so on.”
We may, yet, go through the essential stories from the next two books and try to get a gist of the final book as well, in due course.
Concluded
Dharmaraja also spoke welcoming words to his son. “Son, this was the third time I tested you and demonstrated your adherence to Dharma under all circumstances to the worlds. Take a holy dip in the heavenly Ganga now and abandon your body there. Its sacred waters will also cleanse your mind of all earthly sentiments like sorrow, hatred and envy.”
Meeting with his brothers and Krishna
Krishna was the first whom the Pandava king met there, after he abandoned his body. The Yadava prince was found holding his famous weapons and in the company of Arjuna. Krishna welcomed his cousin with all the love and due respect.
Yudhishthira, next, found Karna in the middle of the twelve suns (dwaadaSa aaaditya) and Bhima seated next to the god of air (vaayu). Nakula and Sahadeva were spotted by the side of the healers of heaven, the Aswinis.
In the presence of Draupadi
Yudhishthira was astounded by the sight of Draupadi shining even more beautiful than ever. Indra promptly reminded the Pandava of her birth. “Draupadi was the goddess of beauty (Sreedevi) before she took birth as the daughter of Drupada, at the express wish of Siva, and became your queen.” Indra alsopointed out to Yudhishthira the five sons of the Pandavas born of Draupadi in the middle of divinities in heaven.
With the Kurus
Yudhishthira continued with introductory tour of heaven, meeting others with whom he was close on earth, with the help of Indra. The king of gods promptly pointed out Pandu to Yudhishthira and said. “Your father pays me a visit every day, riding on his heavenly vehicle, in the company of his two wives, Kunti and Madri.”
Yudhishthira, similarly, saw his uncle, Dhritarashtra in the company of the Gandharvas. Bhishma was with the other seven Vasus and Drona was located shining next to Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods.
The conclusion of the story of Mahabharata
Thus sage Vaisampayana concluded the main story of Mahabharata. By then Janamejaya had come to the close of the sacrifice of serpents. He offered various gifts to the participating Brahmins and returned to Hastinapura from Takshasila (takshaSila) where the sacrifice was conducted.
At the end of the book there is a brief section about the benefits (phalaSruti) of reading the story. It talks of the various positive gains (puNya) and of the cleansing of different type of sins by the reading of the text. There is a separate section on the proper procedure, almost as a ritual, for the reading or listening to its reading.
Vedavyasa states in this context that the epic was compiled in the course of three years.
There is also a stanza called a Gayatri which may be taken as the essential teaching of Mahabharata. It says. “Never abandon Dharma because of lust, fear or greed or even for the sake of life, because, Dharma is eternal. Happiness and sorrow are not. The soul is permanent, not its cause (na jaatu kaamaa nna bhayaa nna lobhaad dharmam tyajed jeevitasyaapi hetoh/ nityo dharmah sukhadukhetvanitye jeevo nityo hetu rasya tvanityah).”
To the question of Janamejaya about the duration of stay of the Kurus in heaven sage Vaisampayana explained: “The stay in heaven or hell is the result of one’s actions in this world. The duration is determined by the action itself. At the end, ordinary souls take birth assuming new bodies and go through the cycle of birth and death until they attain salvation. In the case of many of the Pandavas they were divine souls taking human body for a specific reason. After enjoying their stay in heaven they returned to their original souls, as Yudhishthira did with Dharmaraja, Bhima with Vayu and so on.”
We may, yet, go through the essential stories from the next two books and try to get a gist of the final book as well, in due course.
Concluded
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Ascension
We have reached the last of the celebrated eighteen books of Mahabharata, “the book of Ascension to Heaven (swargaarohaNa parvam)”. The main story ends with this fairly short book, consisting of a single chapter. The Mahabharata, as it is found currently, has three additional books which are extensive. The nineteenth goes into the lineage of the Kurus starting from the ‘beginning of creation’. The twentieth is exclusively the life story of Krishna. The famous epic, Mahabhagavata, is built around that and has deeply inspired various forms of art in later years. The last one, the twenty first, is futurology, a statement of the order of things in the final of the four epochs (Yuga), of Kali. Let us remember that the Mahabharata war took place at the end of the third epoch, of Dwapara.
Meeting with Duryodhana
The very first person whom Yudhishthira met in heaven was Duryodhana. That was something the Pandava king had not bargained for. He exclaimed aloud to the divinities around. “I do not want to be in a place where this wretched Kaurava lives. It was the doing of this man that cost the life of thousands of innocent princes and ordinary citizens. Please show me the place where I can find my brothers. That is where I want to live.”
It was the celestial sage Narada who responded to the outbursts of the Pandava king. “Oh, Yudhishthira! Heaven is not a place where you retain enmities of the past life. You are probably not aware that Duryodhana is the centre of adoration for all the heavenly beings. What matters most is that he lived and fought like a true king (kshatriya) and, at the end, died fighting without fear. Forget all that happened between you and him in the past. This is not a place to entertain hatred or rivalry.”
Yudhishthira was not pacified by the words of Narada. “If this is the place for Duryodhana who was responsible for the destruction of his entire race, then where will my valiant brothers be living who adhered to truth and righteousness throughout their glorious lives? Where will I find Satyaki and the sons of Draupadi? Please take me to that place. And, where will I find Karna?”
A glimpse of Hell
As he remembered Karna, Yudhishthira thought about the irony of fate that made his elder brother align with the arch enemy of the Pandavas. He thought aloud that the war would have been even more easily won with Karna siding with his younger brothers.
When Yudhishthira expressed his keen desire to be with his brothers the gods sent an emissary to guide the Pandava to the place where they lived.
Yudhishthira was led along a dark passage that appeared to be never ending. Foul smell emanated from all around. Filth and rotting waste filled the spaces. Blood flowed from dead bodies that were scattered here and there. Vultures and crows were seen roaming in large numbers over the rotting bodies. Flies, mosquitoes and other insects swarmed all around.
Water and oil were found boiling in large iron pots to mete out punishment to the sinners. Yudhishthira was disgusted with the sight and enquired. “How far do we have to go to find my people?” To that the emissary of gods replied. “Oh, king! You have reached your destination. I have been ordered to wait until you have concluded your tour.”
Cry for help
Yudhishthira was already fed up with the disconcerting sight and foul smell. He wanted to turn back. Just then he heard strange voices. “Please remain a little longer with us. Your presence gives us comfort in our sufferings.” Yudhishthira could not see any one. So, he asked in surprise. “Who are you all, and why are you staying in this dreadful place?”
Several voices sounded in his ears in response. “I am Karna”, “Here I am, your brother Bhima”. “Please look at me, I am Arjuna”. Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and all those who fought on the Pandava side spoke all at once, mentioning their names.
Yudhishthira was overwhelmed by the irony of fate. All his people who lead exemplary lives, holding firmly to Dharma were suffering in the abominable hell. On the other hand, Duryodhana who was the embodiment of all evils was enjoying life happily in heaven. Was he dreaming or was he under hallucination? Was the sense of justice of gods so perverse as to punish the righteous and reward the guilty?
Yudhishthira made up his mind and turned to the divine emissary. “Please go back and tell those who sent you that I am not leaving this place where my innocent bothers and friends are destined to stay.” The words of Yudhishthira were reported exactly as was told to Indra, the king of gods.
The changing scenario
In the very next instant Yudhishthira found Indra and other gods, including his own father, Dharmaraja, appearing in front of him. Bright light filled the place removing the pervading darkness. The foul smell was replaced by permeating fragrance. Gentle breeze blew bringing temporary solace to the aching heart of the Pandava. All the tragic scenes of hell disappeared from the sight of the gentle Pandava before he realized what was happening.
(To be continued)
Meeting with Duryodhana
The very first person whom Yudhishthira met in heaven was Duryodhana. That was something the Pandava king had not bargained for. He exclaimed aloud to the divinities around. “I do not want to be in a place where this wretched Kaurava lives. It was the doing of this man that cost the life of thousands of innocent princes and ordinary citizens. Please show me the place where I can find my brothers. That is where I want to live.”
It was the celestial sage Narada who responded to the outbursts of the Pandava king. “Oh, Yudhishthira! Heaven is not a place where you retain enmities of the past life. You are probably not aware that Duryodhana is the centre of adoration for all the heavenly beings. What matters most is that he lived and fought like a true king (kshatriya) and, at the end, died fighting without fear. Forget all that happened between you and him in the past. This is not a place to entertain hatred or rivalry.”
Yudhishthira was not pacified by the words of Narada. “If this is the place for Duryodhana who was responsible for the destruction of his entire race, then where will my valiant brothers be living who adhered to truth and righteousness throughout their glorious lives? Where will I find Satyaki and the sons of Draupadi? Please take me to that place. And, where will I find Karna?”
A glimpse of Hell
As he remembered Karna, Yudhishthira thought about the irony of fate that made his elder brother align with the arch enemy of the Pandavas. He thought aloud that the war would have been even more easily won with Karna siding with his younger brothers.
When Yudhishthira expressed his keen desire to be with his brothers the gods sent an emissary to guide the Pandava to the place where they lived.
Yudhishthira was led along a dark passage that appeared to be never ending. Foul smell emanated from all around. Filth and rotting waste filled the spaces. Blood flowed from dead bodies that were scattered here and there. Vultures and crows were seen roaming in large numbers over the rotting bodies. Flies, mosquitoes and other insects swarmed all around.
Water and oil were found boiling in large iron pots to mete out punishment to the sinners. Yudhishthira was disgusted with the sight and enquired. “How far do we have to go to find my people?” To that the emissary of gods replied. “Oh, king! You have reached your destination. I have been ordered to wait until you have concluded your tour.”
Cry for help
Yudhishthira was already fed up with the disconcerting sight and foul smell. He wanted to turn back. Just then he heard strange voices. “Please remain a little longer with us. Your presence gives us comfort in our sufferings.” Yudhishthira could not see any one. So, he asked in surprise. “Who are you all, and why are you staying in this dreadful place?”
Several voices sounded in his ears in response. “I am Karna”, “Here I am, your brother Bhima”. “Please look at me, I am Arjuna”. Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and all those who fought on the Pandava side spoke all at once, mentioning their names.
Yudhishthira was overwhelmed by the irony of fate. All his people who lead exemplary lives, holding firmly to Dharma were suffering in the abominable hell. On the other hand, Duryodhana who was the embodiment of all evils was enjoying life happily in heaven. Was he dreaming or was he under hallucination? Was the sense of justice of gods so perverse as to punish the righteous and reward the guilty?
Yudhishthira made up his mind and turned to the divine emissary. “Please go back and tell those who sent you that I am not leaving this place where my innocent bothers and friends are destined to stay.” The words of Yudhishthira were reported exactly as was told to Indra, the king of gods.
The changing scenario
In the very next instant Yudhishthira found Indra and other gods, including his own father, Dharmaraja, appearing in front of him. Bright light filled the place removing the pervading darkness. The foul smell was replaced by permeating fragrance. Gentle breeze blew bringing temporary solace to the aching heart of the Pandava. All the tragic scenes of hell disappeared from the sight of the gentle Pandava before he realized what was happening.
(To be continued)
Friday, September 5, 2008
The fall of the imperfect ones
The five Pandavas and Draupadi, accompanied by the dog, completed one round around their kingdom and set forth to the north, in the direction of the mighty Himalaya mountain, towards their final destination. They found a sandy terrain looking like a vast sea and the legendary mountain, Meru, beyond that.
Then, Draupadi fell. Bhima realized that the queen of the Pandavas who had stood by them in all their sufferings had lost her life, before reaching the final destination. He asked his elder brother. “I am not aware of any wrongs done by this princess of the Panchala kingdom. Why has she fallen?”
Yudhishthira replied. “Draupadi always cherished a soft corner toward Arjuna. That was wrong on her part.” Bhima was reluctant to leave the queen behind. But, Yudhishthira walked on, ignoring the pleading looks of his brother.
Soon, Sahadeva fell. Bhima asked. “This innocent brother of ours served all of us with his whole heart. What would have caused his fall?” Yudhishthira replied. “He was proud that none equalled him in wisdom. He has lost his life because of that”. Again, Yudhishthira moved ahead without looking back.
Next fell Nakula. To Bhima’s question Yudhishthira remarked. “Nakula was too proud of his handsome features and always felt that no one else was equal to him in beauty. That has caused his downfall.”
It was the turn of Arjuna next. Bhima was surprised. Why his younger brother, highly respected for his right conduct even under adversity should fail in his final journey? Yudhishthira pacified his brother. “Arjuna was also too proud of his skills in battle. He had even proclaimed that he could finish all the enemies in one day. He had gone to the extent of belittling veteran warriors this way. That was his mistake”.
Finally, Bhima felt that he was himself on the verge of breathing his last. Before falling down he asked. “What wrong have I done to fail in our final mission?” Yudhishthira justified Bhima’s fate. “You often boasted of your own power and made fun of others who did not measure up to you.”
Yudhishthira’s trial
The Pandava king, then, marched ahead leaving his fallen brothers and his queen behind. At that time there was a thunder like noise all around and a chariot appeared from the sky right in front of the Pandava. Indra sat behind his charioteer, Matali, and invited Yudhishthira inside.
But, Yudhishthira remained outside with folded hands and said. “I do not want heaven without my brothers and queen. Please have mercy on them and take them with me.”
To that Indra replied. “Have no concern on that count. Their fall was only a simple punishment for the blot on their otherwise blameless character. They have already reached heaven ahead of you.”
But, Yudhishthira was hesitant even then. He said. “This dog has accompanied me in this journey from the start. Please allow it to come with me to the end.”
To that Indra replied. “Why do you bother about a mere dog when immortality awaits you? You are also going to become equal to me and you shall enjoy all the comforts of heaven.”
But, Yudhishthira stood firm. He said. “I shall not abandon one that took refuge in me, even at the cost of losing all the heavenly bliss.”
Indra was amused. He asked. “Remember that you had abandoned all your brothers and even your dear queen when they fell. Why do you now care for this little creature?”
Yudhishthira replied. “It was beyond me to give life to my brothers and queen when they fell down dead. what I left behind was only their body. But, this dog is alive and has come under my protection. Abandoning one who has taken refuge is as bad as the worst of sins.”
The True form of the dog
As Yudhishthira spoke those words the dog disappeared and in its place stood Dharmaraja, the god of Righteousness. He addressed his son. “I am very pleased with you. I had tested your sense of Dharma (righteous conduct) once before, while in the Dwaita forest. Your brothers, then, had drunk water from the lake ignoring my warning. You stood by Dharma at that time and answered all my questions correctly. You have won again this time. The world of the immortals is waiting for you.”
Meanwhile several other gods and celestial sages had appeared on the scene to receive Yudhishthira. They all welcomed him into the chariot of Indra. Sage Narada who was present, then, spoke. “Look at those heavenly abodes resplendent with all the wealth. You are going to live in one of those”. To that Yudhishthira responded. “I prefer to live in such a place wherever my brothers and Draupadi are.” Indra tried to make fun of Yudhishthira. “You are about to enter heaven. Why do you still retain emotions like love and affection as mortals do?” Yudhishthira did not care how he was seen by the gods. He wanted to be with his people even in the other world.
With this we come to the end of the book, “the Great Journey (mahaa prasthaanika parvam)”.
Then, Draupadi fell. Bhima realized that the queen of the Pandavas who had stood by them in all their sufferings had lost her life, before reaching the final destination. He asked his elder brother. “I am not aware of any wrongs done by this princess of the Panchala kingdom. Why has she fallen?”
Yudhishthira replied. “Draupadi always cherished a soft corner toward Arjuna. That was wrong on her part.” Bhima was reluctant to leave the queen behind. But, Yudhishthira walked on, ignoring the pleading looks of his brother.
Soon, Sahadeva fell. Bhima asked. “This innocent brother of ours served all of us with his whole heart. What would have caused his fall?” Yudhishthira replied. “He was proud that none equalled him in wisdom. He has lost his life because of that”. Again, Yudhishthira moved ahead without looking back.
Next fell Nakula. To Bhima’s question Yudhishthira remarked. “Nakula was too proud of his handsome features and always felt that no one else was equal to him in beauty. That has caused his downfall.”
It was the turn of Arjuna next. Bhima was surprised. Why his younger brother, highly respected for his right conduct even under adversity should fail in his final journey? Yudhishthira pacified his brother. “Arjuna was also too proud of his skills in battle. He had even proclaimed that he could finish all the enemies in one day. He had gone to the extent of belittling veteran warriors this way. That was his mistake”.
Finally, Bhima felt that he was himself on the verge of breathing his last. Before falling down he asked. “What wrong have I done to fail in our final mission?” Yudhishthira justified Bhima’s fate. “You often boasted of your own power and made fun of others who did not measure up to you.”
Yudhishthira’s trial
The Pandava king, then, marched ahead leaving his fallen brothers and his queen behind. At that time there was a thunder like noise all around and a chariot appeared from the sky right in front of the Pandava. Indra sat behind his charioteer, Matali, and invited Yudhishthira inside.
But, Yudhishthira remained outside with folded hands and said. “I do not want heaven without my brothers and queen. Please have mercy on them and take them with me.”
To that Indra replied. “Have no concern on that count. Their fall was only a simple punishment for the blot on their otherwise blameless character. They have already reached heaven ahead of you.”
But, Yudhishthira was hesitant even then. He said. “This dog has accompanied me in this journey from the start. Please allow it to come with me to the end.”
To that Indra replied. “Why do you bother about a mere dog when immortality awaits you? You are also going to become equal to me and you shall enjoy all the comforts of heaven.”
But, Yudhishthira stood firm. He said. “I shall not abandon one that took refuge in me, even at the cost of losing all the heavenly bliss.”
Indra was amused. He asked. “Remember that you had abandoned all your brothers and even your dear queen when they fell. Why do you now care for this little creature?”
Yudhishthira replied. “It was beyond me to give life to my brothers and queen when they fell down dead. what I left behind was only their body. But, this dog is alive and has come under my protection. Abandoning one who has taken refuge is as bad as the worst of sins.”
The True form of the dog
As Yudhishthira spoke those words the dog disappeared and in its place stood Dharmaraja, the god of Righteousness. He addressed his son. “I am very pleased with you. I had tested your sense of Dharma (righteous conduct) once before, while in the Dwaita forest. Your brothers, then, had drunk water from the lake ignoring my warning. You stood by Dharma at that time and answered all my questions correctly. You have won again this time. The world of the immortals is waiting for you.”
Meanwhile several other gods and celestial sages had appeared on the scene to receive Yudhishthira. They all welcomed him into the chariot of Indra. Sage Narada who was present, then, spoke. “Look at those heavenly abodes resplendent with all the wealth. You are going to live in one of those”. To that Yudhishthira responded. “I prefer to live in such a place wherever my brothers and Draupadi are.” Indra tried to make fun of Yudhishthira. “You are about to enter heaven. Why do you still retain emotions like love and affection as mortals do?” Yudhishthira did not care how he was seen by the gods. He wanted to be with his people even in the other world.
With this we come to the end of the book, “the Great Journey (mahaa prasthaanika parvam)”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)