Great Indian Kings
Arujuna
We all know that the pandavas left their kingdom for 13 long years for keeping up their word! Well, for Arjuna going away from the bhogas of a king, for the sake of truth, was not new. He did it once well before the aranyavaas. The story goes like this:
The kalyaanam of pandavas with Draupadi was an unusual one. However, it was perfectly according to dharma shastras. Infact Draupadi is one of the greatest pativratas and praised even by Lord Krishna for her Dharma vartana. A few reasons to justify the kalyaanam:
- Kunti Devi, the mother of pandavas, who never knew what a lie was, gave her will.
- Vyaasa Maharshi, one of the avataar of Lord Vishnu, ordered the kalyaanam to be done.
- Lord Shiva, pleased with her tapas, gave a boon to Draupadi to marry the pandavas.
- Pandavas, though were five physically, were all amshas of Indra, the King of the Gods. Hence, pandavas were actually one.
Yudhisthira, knowing the reason of the breach of their rule, said their is no need for Arjuna to take the pilgrimage. Since it is a mistake committed towards him, and that too for a good reason, he will pardon arjuna . However, Arjuna would never break his word. He immediately set out for a one-year pilgrimage. May be this is why Arjuna is such a favourite sakha of Lord Krishna.
Morals in the Story:
- The story shows how important it is to keep up ones word, whether it is of any consequence or not, how much ever difficult it is.
- Arjuna, knowing that he will be punished for breaching the rule, did not stop doing his duty as a king to protect his people and punish the theif. Thus, one must always perform his duty without any laziness or any kind of fear.
- Rewards for such people do show up as immediate difficulties, but in the end – it is truth is what always wins (Satyameva jayate). Arjuna's win was in the way of gaining eternal friendship with the Lord.
- Imagine if everyone keeps his word and always speaks truth — will we have corruption? will we have poverty? Though its a very difficult to inculcate, unless we are truthful there will be no development.
- Like Arjuna if everyone does they duty — will there be such slow development for such a large community of intelligent people?
- Temporal gains got by saying lies never will be permanent. They will not only bring us down on a long run in life, leave aside winning the heart of the God.
Ashwatthaama, the chiranjeevi, does a daaruna krutyam after the Mahaabhaaratam. Unusual to his nature, He, without even little daya, beheads the sleeping babies of draupadi — the upa-paandavas. Draupadi realizes what happened. All her 10 sons, who were little baalakas, who were sleeping, who never did any kind of harm to Ashwatthaama and who cannot even react to the harm committed to them were lying in a pool of blood. Draupadi breaks down to tears and weeps in great sorrow. Arjuna very sad himself, consoles Her and says it does not look nice for a Veera maata to cry like this. He says that He will immediately avenge the act and kill Ashwatthaama. On killing him, she can take bath standing on his head. Immediately Lord Krishna and Arjuna set out on their Hanumadhdhvaja ratham to catch the fleeing Ashwatthaama.
Seeing that Arjuna is closing by his ratham and that his horses are a little exhausted, Aswaththaama sees Brahmaastra as the only way to save himself. Though not knowing the way of retrieving the astra, he immediately uses Brahmaastra on Arjuna, after stopping the ratham, doing aachamanam and purifying himself. Lord Krishna orders Arjuna to use Brahmaastra to counter Ashwatthaama’s. Arjuna also purifies himself, does achamanam, does a pradakshina to the Almighty and uses Brahmaastra. The two astras, one like Agni and the other like sun, fight each other and in no time the worlds start to burn under the influence of the astras. Krishna, the protector of the worlds, immediately orders Arjuna to take back both Astras, as only a Brahmachaari can take back a Brahmaastra!
Arjuna takes back both the Brahmaastras, showing clearly what a perfect Brahmachaari he was. Arjuna, who was the friend of the Askalita Brahmachaari Lord Krishna, obviously knows the shastras and the ways to maintain his Brahmacharyam, though married. Arjuna ties Ahswaththaama and takes him to Draupadi, like a Yagnya pashu is taken to the Yagnya shaala. The acts of Draupadi in this following episode make even Krishna praise Krishnaa (Draupadi) for her Dharma.
On seeing the killer of all her sons being brought by Arjuna, Draupadi, of the beauty of her nature out of compassion, does a namaskar to him and says as per the Vedas in the absence of the Guru, Guru-putra takes his place, so she is doing a namaskaar to Drona! It was unbearable for her having him brought being bound and she said: “Release him, for he is a brahmana, our Aacharya. Do not make his mother, Drona’s wife, cry the way I do in my chastity shedding tears constantly in distress over a lost child”. Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Saatyaki, Krishna and other queens supported the statements of Paanchaali as they were in accord with the principles of Sanaatana Dharma, of justice, merciful, without duplicity and glorious in equity. Krishna, amazed by the Dharmya vartana of Draupadi, praises her very much. However, Bhima also raised a valid point that a person who by nature has daya is a brahmana, is Ashwatthaama, who mercilessly killed the baalakas, worth being called one? Saying “surely death is the only punishment for such a person”, Bhima proceeds to kill Ashwatthaama, but the Lord, with His chaturbhuja’s stops Bhima and says the following with a smile:
Morals in the story:
- The Dhramya vartana of Draupadi is well portrayed in the story. This shows us that, even at the time of great stress, sorrow, difficulty, one never must deviate from the path of truth, Dharma.
- Even though Ashwatthaama was great, in his momentary anger he committed an unpardonable crime. One must be very careful and need to think what is right and what is wrong before acting. This is what the pandavas do in the later part of the story, with the help of Krishna. They, though Kshattriyas, were not overwhelmed by revenge. They acted according to the words of Krishna, who is Dharma in human form.
- The importance given to keeping up one’s word is protrayed well. Arjuna promises Draupadi to kill Ashwatthaama, but according to Dharma is must not be killed. So they do an equivalent act of killing.
- The importance of cleanliness is also displayed. Both Ashwatthaama and Arjuna purify themselves, do aachamanam before chanting the mantras for Brahmaastra. They do this even when they were in such a great press for time.
- The power of Brahmacharyam is well shown through this story. Arjuna, who knew the Shatras, was a brahmachaari and hence could not only take back his, but Ashwatthaama’s astra too.
- The heart of a mother is well exposed when Draupadi comments “Do not make his mother, Drona’s wife, cry the way I do in my chastity shedding tears constantly in distress over a lost child“. She knows the pain of loosing children, so did not want another mother to experience it!
Being Kshatriyas, people with lot of Shauryam, Paandavas thought so much (analyzing what is Dharmam, what is adharmam) before avenging their son’s death. Now-a-days even films show people mercilessly killing each other in the name of revenge.
Kṛṣhṇa Bhagavān opened His eyes and first saw Arjuna, who was sitting near His feet. He greeted him with great anurāgam and asked him kuśala-praśnas. He then saw Duryodhana, and wished him with the same anurāgam, since both were equally close relatives for Him. Both of them told the reason for their arrival and Śrī Kṛṣhṇa does His sainya vibhajana like this, saying I will offer equal help to both of you:
“There are 10000 Yaduvīras, who are all equal to Me in Vīratvam. They never go against My word and help you in the Yuddham without śakti-vañcana. They all will be on one side and I alone will be on the other. I will never use any Āyudham. I will help as a Rathasārathi”. Śrī Kṛṣhṇa then asks Arjuna to choose which half he wants; then he asks Duryodhana. Ofcourse both of them get exactly what they want. Arjuna chooses Śrī Kṛṣhṇa and Duryodhana was more than happy to take the remaning 10000 Yaduvīras.
If one just plainly reads this story, one may feel since Śrī Kṛṣhna Bhagavān is a Bhakta vatsala, he asked Arjuna to choose first. If one reads the jagat-prasiddha Nīlakaṇṭhī vyākhyānam of this episode, one will come to know about how intricate Dharma sūkṣhmas are and with what firmness great people like Śrī Kṛṣhṇa, Pāṇḍavas, Draupadi, Bhīṣhma and many other such great characters in Mahābhāratam followed the path of Dharma:
Śrī Kṛṣhṇa knows that first He has seen Arjuna and it was Duryodhana who came first. So both must be given equal chance and hence divides his sainyam into two. Now Śrī Kṛṣhṇa addresses Arjuna as Bālaka while asking him to choose first. There is a Śṛti vākyam that says “Pravāraṇam tu bālyānām pūrvam” “Kāryamiti ŚrutiH Tasmātpravāraṇam pūrvam Arjuna Pārtho DhananjayaH”. According to this Śṛti vākyam, a bālaka must be given preference. Since Arjuna was younger than Duryodhana, Arjuna must be given preference according to Dharma. Kṛṣhṇa paramātma, who is Dharma in human form, obviously followed this Dharmasūkṣham and helped both his relatives impartially (samavarti).
Morals in the story:
- Even though Arjuna is His priya Bhakta and Duryodhana did not follow Dharma, Śrī Kṛṣhṇa greeted both of them equally as they were equally close relatives. He divided his sainyan into two to help Arjuna, whom he saw first, and help Duryodhana who came first. This shows us the great satguṇam of Samavartitvam (impartiality).
- The importance that one must give to learn, know and always follow the Dharmam is well shown by Śrī Kṛṣhṇa. He gave Arjuna a chance to choose first according to the above said Śruti vākyam.
- Vinayam brings a Vīra, his śobha. Arjuna by sitting at Śrī Kṛṣhṇa’s feet showed his satguṇam of Vinayam. Duryodhana, even though he went to Śrī Kṛṣhṇa to ask for help, did not show any Vinayam.
- The dṛḍha viśvāsam of Arjuna in Śrī Kṛṣhṇa is shown well: even though he had the chance to choose 10000 Yaduvīras (who were each equal to Śrī Kṛṣhṇa in Vīratvam), he chose Śrī Kṛṣhṇa (who will not use any āyudham).
It is always recommended to read our Purāṇas and Itihāsas, in Samskṛtam or Bhāratīya bhāṣhas, with the help of elders, Paṇḍitas and prasiddha (well accepted) Vyākhyānas to know and learn all the Dharmasūkṣhmas well.
After Bhishma pitaamaha, Dronaacharya was made the sarva-sainyaadhipati of Kauravas by Duryodhana. Dronaacharya tells Duryodhana “O Raja! I feel very happy that you gave me this oppurtunity. You did not forget me though I am old and though Karna, your priya-mitra is there. I will try my best to fight well and bring you victory”. He tells all the strengths/weakness of Kaurava and Paandava senas. He also tells his own strengths and weaknesses. He clearly mentions that he has only one weakness: “if I hear any apriya vaakyam, then I will do astra-sanyaasam. So please make sure I dont hear any”. Upon being asked by Duryodhana, Dronaacharya says “I can defeat Dharmaraaja, but only if Arjuna is not there near him”. So they wanted to plan out how to make Arjuna go away from Dharmaraaja.
The person who fights Arjuna must keep him busy for a long time (till Dronaachaarya defeats Dharmaraaja). Hence the yoddha must be very good and must know many many astras to even stand before Arjuna for sometime. They decide that the 5 Kings of Samsaptaka kingdoms will challenge Arjuna and slowly take him away from Dharmaraaja. Bhagadatta, the King of Mahishpati/Pragjyotishapuram, was one of them.
Similar to how Shri Raama was taken away from Sita by Maareecha, the Kings of Samsaptakas slowly tried to take Arjuna away from Dharmaraaja. In no time Bhagadatta was only left and he started using his divya-astras.
Arjuna is the greatest Bhakta, Sakha of Shri Krishna, the Parandhaama. He never deviated form the path of Dharmam and Satyam (see these 1 2). Hence Shri Krishna always protected him similar to how eyelids protect the eyes.
Bhagadatta used Vaishnavaastram. Shri Krishna just stood up a little bit and took it. It became a Vyjayantimaala for the Paramaatma. Similarly Shri Krishna protects Arjuna form Shakti astram. Then Bhagadatta tried to attack silently from the back. Shri Krishna, the greatest Ratha-saarathi, in an unbelievable way turns the ratham and helps Arjuna. Though Bhagadatta was not able to harm Arjuna, since he had an abhedya divya invisible kavacham, right form head to toes, Arjuna’s shastra-astras were not able to harm him. However as time proceeds the danger for Dharmaraaja increases. Shri Krishna tells Arjuna to shoot right at the place of joining of the eye brows, which will remove the kavacham.
Like this at each and every point in the life of Paandavas, Shri Krishna protected them.
Morals in the story:
- God always protects the people who never deviate from the path of Dharma. May be the story of Paandavas is the best example to show this.
- Like Paandavas, we must always remember that whatever victories we get, or whatever good we do etc. is because of God only. He is the person who is always behind us. He is the greatest mitra who saves us at times of difficulty. Remembering that, always we are able to achieve things because of God, helps us reduce our Ahankaar too. Else even a slight victory will make us feel proud.
- Some of the sadgunas of Dronaacharya are nicely reflected in his conversation. He clearly mentioned his strengths and weakness. Similarly Bheeshmaacharya also mentions his strengths and weaknesses. He also tells openely that he will do astra-sanyaasam if a stri or a shikhandi comes before him (This niyamam was because, he was a perfect Brahmachaari. He will not even look at a para-stri).
Bhimasena
Kuntidevi replied “we are now living under the aashrayam of this Viprotaama. It is our minimum duty to show Krutagnyata and do Pratyupakaaram to him. Even otherwise, since we are Kshatriyas (one who saves from Kshatam or difficulties), we must protect the people who need help. Hence we must protect this Braahmana. We need not worry about Bhiimasena; he will surely come back safely — we saw his ananta-balam when he killed Hidimbaasura. He carried all of us in Vaaranaavatam and saved us from the fire. He even has the strength of doing Yuddham with Devendra! On the very day he was born, when I dropped him by mistake, he was unaffected whereas the stone on which he fell broke into pieces! Thinking of all these things I have sent Bhiimasena to kill Bakaasura and save the villagers. Vyaasa Bhagavaan told us to what uttama-lokas a person whose does Paropakaaram will reach”.
Yudhidhthira was happy listening to these amruta-vaakyas of Kuntidevi and with full-heart did aashiirvachanam to Bhiimasena. As planned, Bhiimasena reached the nivaasam of the raakshsa, along with the cart full of aahaaram. He shouted for the raakshasa and he himself started eating the food in the cart. Seeing that the food which was brought for him, was being eaten away by Bhiimasena, the raakshasa started stamping his foot onto the ground with great strength. Bhiimasena didnt respond. Seeing this, the raakshasa gave a mushti-ghaatam (strong punch) on Bhiima’s back. Bhiimasena didnt feel anything and continued to eat. With anger, the raakshasa tried to uproot a mahaa-vruksham and throw it on Bhiimasena. Meanwhile, Bhiimasena completed his Bhojanam, did aachamanam, shuddhi of his hands and legs (see this too) and got ready for the Yuddham.
Bhiimasena threw back the Vruksham. For sometime they did Yuddham with Vrukshams. Then raakshasa caught Bhiimasena binding him, Bhiimasena also did the same. Both were squeezing each other. Finally the raakshasa became tired. Then, supporting with legs, Bhiimasena gave a strong mushti-ghaaatam on Bakasura’s back.
Morals in the story:
- The Dharma-bodha of Kuntidevi shows us the importance of Krutagnyata and parokaaram.
- How a sajjana uses his Balam, Dhairyam and helps the society is well shown in the story. On the other hand, Kauravas spent all their strength in destroying Paandavas, due to their Iirsha, Asuuya and Maatsaryam.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My humble greatfulness to Moral Stories dot com, Hindu dot com and Devotees for the collection)
( A tribute to the great Bharatiya Samskruti)
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