UP the land of super normal role models

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 In the complex understructure of India, UP sits like her invisible heart and spiritual voice. Stridently, a folklore and tradition champion. Indeed the most populated state that celebrates its lineage in its diversity. It has an irrefutable matrix of society that hails, from two major communities, the Hindus and the Muslims—both passionate lovers of their native.

    Even though, the expanse of Hinduism resonates much beyond India and goes right up to the global frontiers. UP has always been its formidable pillar in the ever lengthening axis. Rather, it has been the primordial hub of religiosity since time immemorial. If we deconstruct her, she expands to a vast region much before it was converted into administrative hedges like states and districts. Which, Gods loved and nature adored. So, one can say she has been the showcase, the playground and even the reliable archives of Hinduism since grand old times.

    She doesn’t require administrate boundaries to conjoin. As, she, connects, consolidates and even identifies herself in many other ways. To begin with it is the mix of Pancha Bhoota—where the elements of Prithvi (Earth), Jal (Water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Akash (ether or the sky) combine for her cosmic creation.

    If we translate this into ground realities we find. Starting from the texture of the soil, to the pitch of the lingo it is one. It has no less than Gods and super humans, as its role models. To say, some of its role models are even better known than the land they belong to won’t be a misnomer. And they all performed their incredible leelas in this very soil. We will come to that a little later.

    UP has that enduring fix of festivals, with bucolic hand holding and even similarity in cereal crops to live and breathe in congruence. There is no life without water they say and water forms the lifeline of any society. To that effect there are vaguely a series of some six or seven imposing rivers, leaving aside many small ones that almost run parallel but certainly from the western side of the state to the eastern corner. And finally,   they all merge as tributaries with Ma Ganga. The main stem of Ganga, begins with the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers in the town of Devprayag in Uttara Khand. And as per mythology she was brought to earth by king Bhagiratha, where, eventually she grew up to the status of Ma Janani in UP. She is indeed the queen mother of all the water bodies as she carries along with her all the rivers. Therefore, for certain she can be called the icon of motherhood and hospitality—an unbeatable role model again. So blessed is the state that there is hardly a district or a town that is not within the easy catch of a river. Where, inhabitants even identify themselves with the rivers, such as ‘Sarjupari’—person living across river Sarju. There are many annual melas that connect the rural fraternity and its vendors across the sub-regions like Ballia and Nauchandi mela, to name a few.

    Hinduism has four ashrams when it comes to completing a lifetime—Brahamcharya, (Balkal … Birth to student like), Grihasta (householder), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciation). The holy land of UP connects you to some quintessential examples of how some incarnations or avatars of Maha Vishnu have spent their time in these defined ashrams. Hinduism doesn’t come through, without UP. And all lessons of life are available here.

    It teaches us, nothing is easy and everything needs to be fought for, whether you’re an incarnation of God or just a human form. Even, when, Lord Krishna was the 8th incarnation of Maha Vishnu. Mathura was under turmoil the night little Krishna was born in Dwaparyuga (the 3rdYuga). He demonstrated the victory of good over evil when he killed his maternal uncle Kans. And by lifting the Goverdhan Parvat he proclaimed nothing is impossible if you are hell bent upon doing something. On bhakti (devotion) no one can beat Radha as a role model and it all happened in the Braj Bhoomi that is now divided into many districts. But Krishna leela has no boundaries.

    In the same land Bhagwan Sri Ram was born in Ayodhya as the 7th incarnation of Maha Vishnu in Treta Yuga (2nd yuga). Although, he was born before Krishna I’m describing him after Krishna because he had a steady childhood, whereas, Krishna had a fighting one. But Sri Ram exemplified himself as Maryada Purshottam—the quintessential example of respecting contemporary times and goodness accentuating to fairness. He had many mid life crises which he fought through valiantly all by himself and his devoted team. Prime was 14 years of Banvas (exile into forest) and the abduction of his wife by Ravana. Where, on the one hand he did show grief but on the other hand as a true karmyogi he found his bearings and organized himself to fight the great battle of Lanka to get his wife back. While doing so he ensured he didn’t overstep the tenets of science and its concomitants even, when, he was an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Today, Sri Ram is a household name and a role model that is not confined to any district or a religion and where his queen Sita is an epitome of devotion. His entire leela happened along the plains of river Saryu and the famous kingdom of Ayodhya where he ruled. Important to say—role models can be followed by any person from any religion or sect.

    Further, the great war of Mahabharat too, had its roots in Hastinapur near Meerut, again in UP. A well known mythological story, of intensely disagreeing and blood thirsty royal cousins, that eventually escalated into a holy war. It is said, what is not seen and read in Mahabharat doesn’t exist in the world. It has again given many role models to the world while it was fought in Dwaparyug. It had many stalwarts. Some important names that one can immediately reflect upon are Krishna, Yudhistir, Bhishma Pitamah, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Kunti, Karan, Yudhistir, Bhimsen, Arjun, Nakul, Sahdev, Draupadi, Veer Abhimanyu to name a few.

    Krishna derives his umbilical and founding legacy from Braj Bhoomi. From where he goes on to recite those ultimate verses of Gita, that is destined to happen, only once-in-a-planet-time, to a tranced Arjun, challenging him to pick up arms and fight for righteousness. The heft of Krishna thus becomes so very onerous for any one human form to carry as a role model. Resultantly, he spends his life in the little fragments of his teachings to promote his cause.

    Post the battles of Lanka and Mahabharat you had those iconic—blazing writers and poets like Valmiki, Tulsidas and Ved Vyas capturing the vivid description of the proceedings that led to the deadly wars. Together with awesome description of the scenes of war that remain unparalleled even today.

    And going forward when it comes to Vanaprastha and Sanyas we have Varanasi to teach us how to approach retirement and death as a role model. People come to Varanasi to see live Hinduism and even to die. The pyre is ever lit in Manikarnika Ghat and they say if a person is cremated there he or she goes to heaven directly.

    It is one of the oldest ghats of Varanasi. It is revered in Hindu mythology that when Mata Sati, Lord Shiva’s wife sacrificed her life and set her body ablaze after Raja Daksh Prajapati, her father and one of the sons of Lord Brahma tried to humiliate her husband Shiva in the Yagya. Lord Shiva took her burning body to Himalya. On seeing the unending sorrow of Lord Shiva, Vishnu sent his divine Sudershan Chakra to cut the body into 51 parts which fell on earth. Lord Shiva established Shakti Peeth wherever Sati’s body had fallen. At Manikarnika ghat Mata Sati’s ornament had fallen. The lesson therefore is loaded with the despicable arrogance of king Daksh and the pristine relationship of Sati and Shiva—that can’t be emulated as a role model.

    In the treasured mythological scriptures such as Purans and Upanishads, battles between the Devatas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) have often been described in great detail and on many occasions. Asuras, have always troubled Devatas for some reason or the other. In fact, they were mostly stronger than the Devatas in strength, and therefore Devatas were always scared of them. Even Devraj Indra who was extremely powerful and laced with a lot of divine offence could not harm them in any manner.  Many such wars were even fought, in an around, the present day UP.   Samudra Mathan (Churning of ocean) resulting into Kumbh, has also seen the bitter war between the Devatas and the Asuras for Amrit (Divine Nectar). Where, Lord Vishnu had to intervene. Because, had Asuras drank Amrit they would have become immortal, and that would have meant destruction of the goodness in the world.

    There are innumerable stories and one can go on and on. But the moot point is, whether, the present day generation of the state is living up to the values created by these role models.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                      https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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TO ABANDON A DEPENDENT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE EVEN FOR HEAVEN

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

DHARMRAJ YUDHISTIR’S RELIGIOSITY

    When, Maharaja Yudhistir came to know. That Sri Krishna has ended his jeewan-leela. And, post that. Yadav’s too, have undergone self-destruction, because of infighting. He decided to coronate Arjun’s grandson Parikshit as the king of Hastinapur, and head for sanyas. Keeping the difficult decision in mind, he started preparing for it. To begin with he decided to give up the prestigious and coveted king’s costume and its jewelry. Following, which, he decided to enter into a maun-vrat and unlock his hair. Finally, he entered into veer-sanyas and left his Raj Bhawan, and started walking towards the north. When, his brothers and even his wife Draupadi started following him.

    Yudhistir’s decision to renounce the world and it’s so called—moh-maya created ripples in his mind. As a result of which, he stopped eating food and drinking water. He even stopped resting his body and mind and refrained from looking at anyone, in the eye. And, decided to keep moving without stopping anywhere. Until, he crossed Badrinath in the Himalayas. Where, his brothers and even his queen Draupadi were pacing up with him.

        After crossing Satyapath, Yudhistir entered the divine land of Swarga-rohan. But by now his brothers and his queen were extremely exhausted and they fell sick. Soon Draupadi, Nakul, Sahdev and even Arjun—they all fainted one by one and fell on the ground. The weather was freezing in Himalayas. So they couldn’t revive themselves and soon attained Him-Samadhi. Thereafter, the divine powers of the holy land sent them to Swarg where they attained moksha. But, even, these stupendous calamities couldn’t stop Yudhistir. As, he, was continuously moving, and never looked back. Even to catch a glimpse of his brothers or his wife. He was now bereft of rag-dwesh. In the end, even Bhimsen, the strongest out of them, also collapsed and went into Him-Samadhi.

    When, Yudhistir was about to reach the top most mount of Swarga-rohan. He was not alone. In spite of the fact, that his brothers and his wife Draupadi, had gone into Him-Samadhi on the way. As, there was a dog, that was continuously following him, right from Hastinapur. When, Yudhistir finally reached the mount. Devraj Indra sat in his viman and descended on earth to meet him. He welcomed him and said—‘you’re the epitome of Dharma. So the swarg belongs to you. Please sit in my viman. So, that, I can take you there.’

    When, Yudhistir asked about his brothers and his wife Draupadi. And requested, that they, too, be taken to swarg. Devraj replied—‘they have already reached there.’

    To which, Yudhistir made another request—‘can we take this dog also in this viman.’

    Indra replied—‘you being the quintessential of dharma. Why do you talk like a novice? How can a dog enter swarg? Isn’t it enough that this desecrated being has had my darshan.’

    Yudhistir, wasn’t convinced by Indra’s logic. So he said—‘but the poor dog is dependent on me. Because of my devotion he has followed me all the way from Hastinapur. To renounce a living being that is dependent on you is adharma. So, deserting this dependent is not acceptable to me. And without him, I’m not willing to enter swarg.’

        Indra tried to counsel Yudhistir again—‘Rajan! You attain swarg only with the fruits of punya. Had, this dog been a punyatma. He wouldn’t have been born as a dog.’

    Yudhistir politely said—‘God if that is the case. Then, I would like to donate half my punya to this dog.’

    ‘Dhanya ho, dhanya ho Yudhistir! I am very happy with you. And discarding the dog form, the Dharm-Devta appeared in front of him and blessed him.

    Moral of the story: Think thousand times, before you abandon someone who is dependent on you.

Story is from Mahabharat

GLOSSARY

-         Maharaja—Great king

-         Jeewan-Leela—mortal role

-         Sanyas—life stage of renunciation within the Hindu philosophy

-         Maun-vrat—avow to remain silent

-         Veer-sanyas—renunciation from exercising strength

-         Raj-bhawan—official residence of king

-         Moh-maya—all things in the world are not real; they are fallacy, a presumed reality of the world held by people.

-         Dharmacharn—good virtues

-         Him-Samadhi—meditative trance

-         Swarg—Heaven

-         Moksha—released from the cycle of rebirth

-         Rag-Dwesh—love and hate

-         Viman—mythological flying palace or chariot described in Hindu texts

-         Dharma—eternal law of cosmos

-         Darshan—divine audicience

-         Adharma—going against the law of cosmos

-         Punyatma—blessed soul

-         Dhanya ho—be blessed

-         Dharm Devta--God

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SHORT STORY: GOD IS CLOSE ONLY IF YOU TRUST IN HIM

Copyright@shravancharitymission


By Kamlesh Tripathi

    After losing in dhyut-krida (gamble) to Duryodhana, Pandavas along with Maharani Draupadi had exiled to Kamyaka forest. But even after driving Pandavas out of the kingdom Duryodhana was not in peace. And how to completely destroy them was his perennial worry.

    And it was a coincidence, as just around that time Maharishi (saint) Durvasa landed up at Duryodhana’s palace, and stayed with him for some time. And during his stay, Duryodhana looked after him quite well, and happy with his hospitality Maharishi granted him a vardan (blessing) is when treacherous Duryodhana very politely said—‘Maharishi! Pandavas are my elder brothers. And if you are happy with me, I desire the way you gave me an opportunity to serve you, which has given me a sense of fulfilment, I wish you kindly give a similar opportunity to my elder brothers also, at least for a day. And I wish you visit them with all your shishayas (pupils) to enjoy their hospitality and arrive there when Maharani Draupadi has eaten, so that my brothers don’t have to remain hungry for long.’

    But the real story was something different. When, Pandavas went on exile to the forest; at that time many Brahmins who loved them and were their followers, too accompanied them. And they somehow never came back. But feeding so many people in the forest was not easy. And so Dharmaraj Yudhistir performed a long and deep tapasya (meditation) to please Lord Surya. When Lord Surya was happy he gave Yudhistir a vessel and said—‘if you cook roots and vegetables in this vessel that food will become endless. And you will be able to feed hundreds of people till such time Draupadi has not eaten. And after Draupadi has eaten nothing will be left in the vessel for the day.’

    Duryodhan knew about this secret. And because of this secret only he had requested Maharishi Durvasa to visit Pandavas after Draupadi had finished eating. Durvasa muni (sage) acceded to what Duryodhan had requested for and visited Pandavas. Duryodhana was now extremely happy thinking Pandavas will not be able to provide food to Maharishi Durvasa after Draupadi has eaten and then shot-tempered Maharishi Durvasa will curse and destroy Pandavas. And this was an example of his evil intentions.

    But because Maharishi Durvasa had given a word, to Duryodhana, he along with his thousands of shishyas (pupils) one day in the afternoon arrived at the Pandavas, in Kamyaka forest. Dharmaraj Yudhistir and his brothers got up to receive them and did a prostrate pranam to the Maharishi. And with folded hands requested him to occupy the main asanas (seats)

    Maharishi said—‘Rajan! (King) may, God bless you. We all are very hungry, but we have not performed our prayers. So you please arrange for our food. In the meanwhile we will soon return from the nearby lake after our daily rituals and prayers.’

    And as a habit Dharmraja Yudhistir with folded hands said—‘As you wish Guruvar (Guru). Food will be ready, so kindly return at your earliest after your daily kriya (chores) and prayers. But when Maharishi Durvasa left with his shishyas, Yudhistir and his brothers were terrified.

    They enquired from Draupadi and came to know she had already eaten; and now shot tempered Maharishi Durvasa on not getting food would definitely curse them to ashes; this much was definite—and giving him food on time seemed impossible and so, there was no way out. And upon finding her husbands worried she said—‘why are you’ll worried? Krishna will arrange for everything.’

    Dhrarmaraj Yudhistir said—‘had Sri Krishna been here we wouldn’t have been worried at all; but only recently he left for Dwarka and I’m sure by now he must not have even reached Dwarka.’

    Draupadi with a lot of confidence said—‘who knows where he comes and goes? And which is that place where he is not present? He must be somewhere here only and will appear soon.’

    And after saying all this, Draupadi left for her cottage and started praying to madhusudhan (one who killed demon by the name of madhu) Krishna. And soon Pandavas saw, Krishna’s chariot with four white horses and his insignia Garoor atop coming and stopping near him at great speed. And even before the chariot could come to a complete halt Krishna jumped and rushed towards Draupadi’s cottage.

     And, since he was in great hurry, neither did he wish anyone nor anyone could wish him. He straightway entered Draupadis cottage and in great urgency he said—‘krishne! I’m extremely hungry, so give me something to eat at once.’

    ‘So you have come, Krishna my brother! I knew you will come at my distress call; Druapadi, was as if was rejuvenated. Just then she suddenly got up flabbergasted and said—‘Oh I have to serve food to Maharishi Durvasa.’

    ‘First you give me food, then talk of giving food to someone else, as I am unable to even stand because of hunger.’ Said Krishna.

    ‘But I have finished eating. The vessel given by Lord Surya has been cleaned and washed for the day and kept. So where is the food? Your penniless sister therefore called for you, only to arrange for food.’

    ‘Don’t just say anything you feel like. I’m extremely hungry. Show me the vessel.’ Replied Krishna. Draupadi quietly handed over the vessel to Krishna. Krishna took the vessel in his hand and started inspecting it by having a close look at it, all over. On the inner side of the vessel he found a piece of vegetable leaf stuck in the vessel. He picked it up and said—‘you were saying nothing is there, but what is this? This can feed the whole universe.’

    Draupadi quietly kept watching Krishna when he put that small piece of leaf in his mouth and said—‘may this satiate the world.’ And then he burped and said again, ‘may that satiate the world.’

    And out there in the lake, Maharishi Durvasa and his shishyas had a very strange time as everyone out there started burping and burping. Everyone suddenly started feeling they have eaten and there tummy is full. And surprised they started looking at each other. Looking, at his own condition and that of his shishyas, Maharishi Durvasa said –‘today I am reminded of the episode of Ambrish. Pandavas are in the forest where they are struggling for their own food and it was not right on our part to come here, and now I am not hungry and won’t be able to eat at all.  And now their food will get wasted which will irk them; and they can easily destroy us in seconds as they have the blessings of Lord Krishna. So there is only one way out and that is to quietly leave this place.

    When Maharishi Durvasa wanted to leave, how could his shishyas stay behind. And when they left they did not think of stopping anywhere till they had reached Brahmalok (where Lord Brahma resides)

    After having the leaf that was stuck in the vessel, Lord Krishna came out of Draupadi’s cottage smilingly. Then he greeted Dhramraj Yudhistir and his brothers and as he sat he asked Sahdev to remind Maharishi Durvasa about the food.

    Sahdev left but came back soon, because Maharishi Durvasa and his shishyas were not there as they had left for Brahmalok.

    ‘Not knowing when Maharishi Durvasa might suddenly return for food,’ Dharmaraj Yudhistir started worrying again; because Maharishi Durvasa was known for his habit of asking people to cook for him and then return in the night, midnight or next day or even after some days to eat the food. And after returning he wanted the food just immediately and if there was even a slight delay he would curse.

    ‘Now, Maharishi Durvasa will not come here. And he came here only because of treacherous Duryodhana. So there is no need to worry,’ said Lord Krishna as he began narrating the entire story to Dharmaraj Yudhistir and his brothers.

    Truly God is very close, only if you have trust in him.

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SHORT STORY: THE POWER IN ELDERS BLESSINGS-MAHABHARAT

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

    In the battlefield of Kurukshetra, both forces of Kaurava and Pandava were standing opposite each other and the battle of Mahabharat was about to commence. The forces had set their formation and bowstrings in the battlefield in a state of readiness.

    And it was only a matter of moments before the shunk (conch-shell) would have been blown to announce the battle. When suddenly Dharmaraj Yudhistir disrobed his armour, and kept it in his chariot and along with that he also placed his weapons respectfully. And, thereafter he started walking towards the Kaurava’s army and more specifically towards Bhishma Pitamah.

    Seeing, their eldest brother trying to cross over, and that too without his weapon and armour, Arjun, Bhimsen, Nakul and Sahdev too got off their chariot. They came close to Yudhistir and started walking behind him. And not able to resist, Lord Sri Kirishna too started walking along with the Pandavas. Bhimsen and Arjun were rather worried and decided to ask—‘Maharaj Yudhistir! What is this that you’re doing just before the battle?’

    Yudhistir didn’t reply anything to anyone. Meanwhile Lord Krishna signalled all, to remain quiet and said—‘Dharmaraj Yudhistir always behaves righteously and even now he is doing the same.

    And seeing them crossing over, there was chaos in the Kaurava’s camp. People there started saying, ‘Yudhistir has chicken out seeing our forces and wants to come under the aegis of Bhishma Pitamah.’ Some people even doubted that this could be a ploy to win over Yudhistir by Bhishma Pitamah. The soldiers were thus praising the Kuaravas as with this strategy the battle would have been over even before starting.

    Yudhistir straightaway approached Bhishma Pitamah and offered his Pranam (Hindu way of offering respects with folded hands) and pleaded—‘Pitamah we are forced to wage a battle against you. And therefore please give us permission to do so along with your blessings.’

    Bhishma replied—‘Bharat Shrestra! Had you not come here in this manner, to take my permission for the battle I would have definitely cursed you to a defeat. But now I’m happy with you; and may you attain victory. You can now ask for a vardan (blessing). Parth! Remember man is a slave to his vows, but vow is not anyone’s slave. Kaurava’s have put me under their thumb only because I have taken a vow to save and secure the throne of Hastinapur.

    On this Yudhisir asked—‘Pitamah you are invincible, so how can we win the battle and how can we defeat you?’

    Pitamah requested them to come some other time and ask this question. From there Yudhistir went to their Guru Dronacharya and did pranam and asked for his permission to fight the battle. Acharya Dronacharya said similar things and gave his blessings; but when Yudhistir asked Dronacharya the way to defeat him, then Acharya made it absolutely clear—‘as long as I have my shastra (weapons) in my hands no one can defeat me. But I have a weakness that during the battle if someone reliable as you all gives me the news of a mishap I will keep my bow and arrow aside, and get into meditation. You all can kill me then.’

    Yudhistir then said pranam to Acharya Dronacharya and then moved towards Kripacharya, and after pranam he asked for Kripacharya’s permission to start the battle. Kripacharya also like Bhishma Pitamah, said similar things and blessed the Pandavas; but Yudhistir could not ask his Kulguru (Chief priest of the dynasty) Kripacharya how he could be killed in the battle. And before he could even ask this tough question he fainted. Kripacharya understood what Yudhistir wanted to ask. He said—‘Rajan (King)! I cannot be killed by you all, nor can I be killed by anyone else. But I can give you my word that every morning I will pray to God for your victory and in the battle I will not come in the way of your victory.

     After this Yudhistir went to his maternal uncle Shalya and did pranam. Shalya also repeated what Bhishma Pitamah had said and gave the Pandavas his blessings. But along with that he also gave a word that all along the battle he will keep attacking Karan with his sarcasm.

   And after pranam to all his Gurujans, and after obtaining their permission Yudhistir along with his brothers crossed over to his side. And this humbleness of Yudhistir created a soft corner in the hearts of Bhisham, Dronacharya and others without which winning the battle of Mahabharat would have been extremely difficult for the Pandavas.

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SHORT STORY: WHEN YOU PROTECT DHARMA, DHARMA PROTECTS YOU

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

    During vanvas (forced exile into forest) Pandavas were spending time in the Datya forest. And, while roaming around in the forest they felt thirsty. Dharmraj Yudhistir then climbed a tree to see if there was water in the vicinity, where at one spot he could see a lot of greenery and that gave an indication as if water was around. And then he requested his youngest brother Nakul to get some water from that spot; and obeying the eldest brother, Nakul left immediately.

    There he found a lake brimming with clear blue water; but the moment he bent down to drink it, he heard a loud voice warning him, ‘do not dare to have the water from this lake, for I have established my authority on this water and it belongs to me. So, first reply, to my queries before you drink the water.’

    Nakul, was extremely thirsty. He therefore did not pay too much attention to the warning that a Yaksha (nature-spirits, usually benevolent) was passing, but the moment he tasted the water from the lake, he fell down and expired on the spot.

    And back here, in the Pandav’s camp there was a bit of restlessness now as the Nakul had still not returned. Worried Yudhistir then sent Sahdev after Nakul. Sahdev too heard the warning of Yaksha but tried to drink the water, ignoring him and died on the spot. In the same manner Yudhistir then sent Arjun and Bhimsen. But they too came one by one and met with the same fate.

    When Yudhistir realised that all his four brothers had not returned from the lake, where they had gone to get water, he readied himself to go there, in spite of his being tired, and soon he was there. And upon seeing his valiant brothers lying dead he went into a deep gloom. And after mourning for sometime on the bodies of his brothers he felt thirsty when he too decided to have water from the lake. Yaksha first tried to stop him from having water in the disguise of a crane; but when Yudhistir asked him, ‘who are you?’ he dawned the form of a Yaksha and appeared on a tree top.

    When, peaceful and saint like Yudhistir said—‘Yaksha! I do not want to acquire anything that belongs to someone else. You have laid down your authority on the water of this lake so let the water be yours. Any questions you want to ask, please ask. I will try and reply to your questions, to the best of my ability.

    There after Yaksha asked many questions and Yudhistir answered all of them quite correctly. And satisfied with his answers, Yaksha said, ‘Rajan! (King) you have correctly answered all my questions; and therefore I grant the life of one of your brothers. So whom do you want alive out of the four?’

    Yudhistir replied, ‘kindly give life to my younger brother Nakul.’

    Yaksha in a surprised tone asked—‘you are wandering in life without a kingdom in these dense forests. And you need to wage a fierce battle against your enemies to protect dharma, and in such a situation you are not asking for the life of your most powerful brother Bhimsen or Arjun, who is the best archer of the world, and asking for the life of Nakul, why so?’

    Dharmraj Yudhistir said—‘Yaksha! The bliss of ruling a kingdom or the torture of vanvas depends on your fate and destiny; but a human being shouldn’t abrogate dharma. One, who protects dharma, is protected by dharma itself. And that is why I won’t deviate from the path of dharma. Kunti and Madri, both are my mothers. I am Kunti’s live son. And I want the lineage of my second mother, Madri also to remain intact and so I am requesting you to bring back Nakul to life, so that both the mothers have at least one child alive.

    Yaksha said--‘Yudhistir you are very knowledgeable and liberal in matters of interpretation, modesty and dharma, therefore I am pleased with you and may God give life to all your four dead brothers. And I’m your father dharma. I had come to see how you’re doing, and test your love for dharma.’

    And, in the manner Yudhistir tried to protect dharma, dharma protected Dharmaraj Yudhistir; when all his four brothers got up, as if from deep sleep.

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SHORT STORY: ILL EFFECTS OF SINFUL BREAD

Copyright@shravancharitymission


By Kamlesh Tripathi

    The great war of Mahabharat was just over and Dharamraj Yudhistir had taken over as the undisputed Emperor of the vast kingdom.

   And, with the permission of Lord Krishna, Dharmaraj Yudhistir along with his patrani (chief queen) Draupadi and younger brothers, went to the bloody battlefield to meet and ask after Bhishma Pitamah who was lying on the bed of arrows, waiting for the sun to move to the position of uttarayan (northward movement of the Sun in the celestial sphere) so that he could wilfuly leave his body.

   And upon Yudhistir’s request, Pitamah began sermonizing about the varn-ashram (natural phases of life) and the time tested relationship between the King and his subjects to Yudhistir. And when Pitamah was midway into his sermons, suddenly queen Draupadi laughed at Bhisma Pitamah.

    Pitamah felt a bit awkward at this, and stopping his sermon he asked,

    ‘My dear daughter, what makes you laugh?’

    Draupadi hesitantly replied—‘It was a mistake Pitamah, I shouldn’t have laughed so please excuse me.'

    Pitamah was not satisfied with her reply. He softly said, ‘Any well mannered daughter-in-law of such a great family doesn’t suddenly laugh, and that too without a reason in front of elders. And, I know you are extremely cultured and well mannered so your laughter cannot be without a reason. Don’t hesitate and tell me the real reason for your laughter.’

    With folded hands Draupadi said—‘Pitamah it may sound absurd and ill-mannered, but if you insist I will have no choice but to tell you, because I just cannot disobey your orders. You were just now giving such rich sermons on dharma-updesh (Theology) and what came to my mind was; when Dushashan was disrobing me in Kuru-sabha (Kuru’s court) where was your dharma-updesh then. It appears to me all this dharma-updesh you have learnt after that episode. And with this thought in my mind I couldn’t help and I laughed. Please pardon me.’

   Pitamah was stunned at this. He waited for some time and then said very softly, as he was badly injured.

    ‘Daughter there is no question of your seeking a pardon because in some ways you are right. I was well conversant with dhrama-updesh during that time also; but then I was feeding myself with the polluted bread of Duryodhanya and that had polluted my mind, and that’s why in that Kuru-sabha when Dushshan was disrobing you I could not use the dharma-updesh and dharma-gyan judiciously to save you. But with all the innumerable arrows of Arjun that have pierced my body all my polluted blood, made out of the polluted bread of Duryodhana  has drained out of my body, and with that my mind has become pure again and I’m able to think about religion and dharma-gyan in the right manner.

    The source of your bread goes a long way in making you.

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