Other Great Indians -4

Other Great Indians

Dronaachaarya

Drona was the putra of the great Bharadvaaja maharshi. Bharadvaaja maharshi had a mitra by name Prushata, who was a King. Prushata’s putra was Drupada. Drupada and Drona used to study together in the aashramam of Bharadvaaja maharshi. They became good friends. After Vidyaabhyaasam, Drupada became the Raaja of Paanchaala-desham and thus they got separated.
Once Parashuraama, the avataar of Mahaavishnu, did Daanam of all His Sampada to others. He had this entire Bhuu-mandalam under His control, since He defeated all the Kings by going around the world 21 times. He gave away these Raajyams to able Kings, who will do Dharma-paalana and wanted to continue His Tapas. Knowing that Parashuraama is doing many great Daanams, Drona approached Him to ask for something. However by the time he reached, Parashuraama gave away everything.
Seeing the poor Drona, Parashuraama said “I have this shariiram (body) and Astra-Vidya only left with Me. Please ask Me what you want. I am ready to give”. With great aanandam, Drona asked to do Vidyaadaanam to him. Drona became an unparalleled Yoddha and learnt any Astras being shishya of Parashuraama. After Dharnurvidyaabhyaasam, Drona wanted to see his baalya-mitra, Drupada. However Drupada was not ready to accept that this poor Braahmana was his mitra. Having nothing to do, Drona left the place.
Bheeshmaachaarya, the Kuru-kula-pitaamaha, who was also a shishya of Parashuraama, appointed Drona as the aachaarya of the Paandavas and Kauravas. After Vidyaabhyaasam, Paandavas, with great Vinayam, asked Drona what Guru-dakshina they can give him? Drona asked them to defeat Drupada, who was then in Chhatrapati nagaram, and give his entire Raajyam to him.
What is impossible to the great Paandavas? They defeated Drupada in Dharma-yuddham and brought him to Dronaachaarya. Drona then said “O Drupada! I always wanted to remain as your mitra. But you said only a King can be your friend. Now I will rule the land to the North of Ganga and you rule that is South to it”. Lucky to atleast have got half-kingdom, Drupada left the place. However he developed permanent hatred on Drona. He wanted to somehow get a putra who can kill Drona!
One day he saw two great brothers, Yaajaka and Upayaajaka on Gangaa-tiiram. He approached Upayaajaka and asked “I will give you 10000 Go-daanams. Please tell me a way how I can get a putra who can kill Drona?”. However Upayaajaka replied that he doesnt have any dhana-kaanksha and remained quiet. But Drupada didnt leave his thought and for 1 year stayed with Upayaajaka and did great seva, help to Upayaajaka. Upayaajaka to show his Krutagnyata finally approached his elder brother to ask for a way to help Drupada.

Morals in the story:

1. Daana, Paropakaara-buddhi of Parashuraama is well shown in the story. He gave away everything he had and when Drona approached him he was even ready to give away his own shariiram as Daanam!
2. Though Drupada insulted Drona, Drona didnt develop Krodham on Drupada and just left him by teaching him a lesson. However Drupada developed Krodham, though the mistake was on his side. Krodham is the start for doing all paapa-kaaryams. It is one’s greatest shatru.
3. Mitra-droham is very bad. See these stories to know more. As said in this story, Sajjanas never dare to do it.
4. We must never come into the effect of Prolobham. Once a person comes into its grip, there will be end to the Paapa-kaaryas he does. Though Drupada wanted to create Prolobham in Upayaajaka by saying he will give away 10000 cows, Upayaajaka didnt accept.

Dronaacharya

Bhagadatta is the son of Narakaasura and is a great yoddha. He knows many astras including Vaishnava and Shakti astras. However he joined the Kauravas side in the great Mahaabhaarata yuddham. It is natural in this world that people with similar gunas become friends, whether good or bad.
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.   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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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).

Tulaadhaara


Vyaasa Bhagavaan told Yudhishthira “Long time back, Jaajali maharshi used to do Tapas with Nishtha. Once, when he was immersed in Tapas, some birds built a nest on his Jataa-juutam (hair). Since Jaajali maharshi was a Dayaardra-hrudaya, he left the nest as it is!
However, once he got Ahankaaram that no one can have more Dharma-nishtha than him. Aakaasha-vaani then said “There is a Vartaka by name Tulaadhaara. He has more Dharma-nishtha than you. However he never has Garvam”.
Jaajali maharshi got asuuya and wanted to see the greatness of Tulaadhaara. On seeing the great maharshi, Tulaadhaara welcomed and said “Maharshi! Please come. You are a Dayaa-saagara. You even let the birds build their nest on your Jataa. You are very great”. Jaajali maharshi was surprised and asked “how do you know about me?”.
Tulaadhaara replied “O Maharshi! I dont have moham on anything. I know only following my Sva-dharmam. Hence I came to know about your greatness.” With little Krodham, the Maharshi replied “So you mean I dont go on the path of Dharmam? What about my Tapas and Yagnyas”? Tulaadhaara replied
“Tapas done with Ahankaaram and Yagnyam done expecting something in return — both of these are not liked by Devatas. As you know, according to our Bhaarateeya-saampradaayam, Yagyam is for showing our Krutagnyata to Devatas, Maata-pita, fellow humans, other creatures living with us and Rushis. All Bhaarateeyas do these 5 Yagnyas according to their own Varna-aashrama-dharmams. Thus nishkaama karma is important.”
Jaajali maharshi relied “then why are you not leaving bussiness? Is this not Dhana-kaaksha?”
Tulaadhaara replied “Arya! Why will I leave my Sva-dharmam? Anyway let us ask these birds what is Dharmam”. Birds flew and said “We are the sevakas of Dharma-devata. On Yamadharmaraaja’s aagnya, we came to test you both. Ahankaaram and matsaram destroy everything. Hence one must not have them. Tapas and Yagnyas done without chitta-shuddhi and shraddha are not good. Through Shraddha all good things happen”. Saying this, the birds flew away.
Jaajali maharshi then said “Arya! Ahankaaram is very dangerous. Everyone must do their Kartavyam and Sva-dharmam. However they must do them without expecting anything in return. These things I learnt from you today.” Saying thus, the Maharshi went away.”
Vyaasa Bhagavaan continued “Yudhishthira! So Bhaarateeya-saampradaayam is great. Hence it suggested Yagnyas, which are the act of showing Krutagnyata. One must follow our aachaaram and through aachaaram only Dharmam is got. We must do Karma, but without expecting anything in return (Nishkaama-karma)”.
Morals in the story:

1. The Daya gunam of Jaajali maharshi is great. He left the birds, who built their nest in his head, as it is taking pity on them.
2. Ahankaaram is the first step for destruction. Hence one must never have Ahankaaram, Garvam, Darpam. As shown in the story, there will always be a person greater than us.
3. The importance of Sva-dharmam is well shown in the story. Though Tulaadhaara didnt have any Dhana-kaanksha, he didnt leave Vartakam (bussiness).
4. Bhaarateeyas believe in Nishkaama-karma. They do their Kartavyam, Sva-dharmam, without expecting anything in return. As told in the story, whatever Yagnyas etc., Bhaarateeyas do, are only to show Krutagnyata for the things they already got, than expecting things in return.

Bayanna

 Padmapaada was the priya-shishya of Shri Jagadguru Aadi Shankaraachaarya. His original name was Sananda. Once Shri Aadi Shankaraachaarya overheard His other shishyas discussing why their Guru likes Sananda the most? What is so great about him? In order to show the Guru-bhakti of Sananda to other shishyas Shri Aadi Shankaraachaarya called Sananda who was on the other side of the pavitra Gangaa-nadi. Shri Aadi Shankaraachaarya said “come fast”. Without any doubt, Sananda closed his eyes and with ananya-bhakti started to run across the Nadi (which will be the nearest route). Then Gangaa-maata made Padmas appear below Sananda feet, whereever he steps and made him cross the river, without drowning. From that day onwards Sananda was known as Padmapaada.
Padmapaada was born in Choladesham and right from childhood was a Shri Nrusimha-upaasaka. For Shri Nrusimha-saakshaatkaaram, he did Tapas for many years in Ahobilam, the pavitra Shri Nrusimha Kshetram in Aandhra Pradesh. But Svaami didnt show Karuna. Knowing this, once Shri Aadi Shankaraachaarya, who was then near the Pavitra Phaala-dhaara Teertham in the Divya Shrishaila Kshetram, said to Padmapaada “Putra! Padmapaada! You are very eager to have the Divya-darshanam of Shri Narasimha Svaamy. Time for it has come. Not far from here, there is Chenchuguudem. There is one Parvata-Bilam there. Parvata-Bilams are like Maatru-garbham. They keep Jeevas away from usual Worldly things and make him go in the path of Moksham. So you immediately go there and do Tapas. You will get Mantra-siddhi”.
Immediately Padmapaada reached the Parvata-Bilam in Chenchuguudem and started Ghora-Tapas. The King of the Aativikas, knowing this came running to Padmapaada and said, with great Vinayam, “Svaami! My name is Bayanna. I am the Chenchudora (King of Aativikas). This Bhuu-bhaagam is under my control, so just tell me what you are searching for in this place, I will get it to you”. Padmapaada replied “Dora! I am looking for a Nrusimham which has Simham as head and Maanusha-shariiram”. Bayanna replied “Svaami! I know the whole of this forest. I saw many tigers, lions and many wild animals. But I never saw what you described”.
Padmapaada replied “It is there here only. However you will not be able to see It”. Bayanna replied “Svaami! If really there is some Thing like what you described, I will bind It and bring It before you, else I will leave my life”. Saying this, he left for searching Nrusimham. Always thinking about the ruupam that Padmapaada had described, leaving Nidra-aahaaram, Bayanna searched all day. But his shrama didnt get any phalitam. So he decided to do Praana-tyaagam. Then seeing the Nishkalmasha-bhakti of Bayanna, Shri Nrusimham appeared before him! Immediately Bayanna tied Shri Narasimha Svaamy with some creepers and brought him before Padmapaada!!
“Svaami! See I got What you were searching for. I put lot of effort. Finally I got Him. I tied and brought Him, see” said Bayanna. However Padmapaada was not able to see Shri Narasimha. He cried “Svaami! In one day You gave Your saakshaatkaaram to Bayanna. Even though I did Tapas for so many years I am not able to see you?”. “Putra! Padmapaada! The Ekaagrata which even after 1crore years of Tapas is difficult to get, this Bayanna achieved it in one day. Because of you being in his saagatyam (company), you are able to hear Me. Your Tapas gave you phalitam now. You got Mantra-siddhi. When you are in need, I will Myself come to you” saying thus, Shri Narasimha Svaami dissappeared.
Morals in the story:

1. Guru-bhakti of Padmapaada is well shown in the story. Without any kind of doubt, Padmapaada started to walk cross the river as soon as he heard his Guru, Shri Aadi Shankaraachaarya call him. Without Guru-bhakti no Vidya can be learnt 
2. The Nishchala Bhakti, Ekaagrata of Bayanna are well shown in the story. As Shri Narasimha Svaami Himself said, the Bhakti, Ekaagrata which even after 1crore years of Tapas cannot be got, Bayanna got in 1 day

Sudhanva

Prahlaada, the greatest Vishnu Bhakta, had three putras by names Virochana, Kumbha and Nikumbha. The Jyeshtha, Virochana, also was a Bhakta. Virochana and Sudhanva, the Angiirasa Maharshi putra, were great friends. Both them loved a Sundari by name “Keshini”. Virochana said that he deserves Kesihni because an Asura has greater Shakti than a Bhuusura. Whereas Sudhanva said a Vipra is an Uttama and Gnyaani, hence he deserves Keshini. They started fighting amon themselves. Finally they thought they will go to Prahlaada, who is a Dharmaatma, to ask what is Nyaayam.
“Aarya! You know Dharma-adharmas well. Without putra-mamakaaram, tell who better deserves Keshini me or your putra? If you tell adharmam Devendra’s Vajraayudham will break your head into two pieces” said Sudhanva. Prahlaada then told Kashyapa maharshi about this Vivaadam. Kashyapa maharshi replied “Prahlaada! A person who gives saaksham and is a Dharma-darshi must never leave Dharma-maargam. If in a Dharma-sabha, wrong decision is made, the paapam is shared by the members in the sabha. A portion of the paapam, if wrong decision is given, goes to the members, a portion to the King and the remaining to the person who actually did the adharmam. If the members take the correct decision, then only the person who does the adharmam gets the whole of it. Hence while doing Dharma-nirnayam one must think a lot with suukshma-buddhi and given the right decision.”
Prahlaada then thought and said that Sudhanva is a greater Guna-vanta than Virochana. Sudhanva then did abhinandanam (congratulations) to Prahlaada for being impartial and telling the Dharmam and did Kalyaanam with Keshini.
Morals in the story:

1. The Samavartittvam (impartiality) of Prahlaada is shown in the story.   Though Virochana was his own putra, he said Sudhanva is more gunavanta and hence deserves Keshini.
2. The importance of doing Dharma Nirnayam correctly is well shown in the story. As Kashyapa maharshi said, the people who give the wrong decision, the King and the person who committed crime equally share the paapam of the adharma kaaryam. 

Kaashiinaatha Naageshvara Rao (Kāśīnātha Nāgeśvara Rāv

(Daatrutvam)

The major thing that the British achieved is to replace our Education system.   In our Bhaarateeya Samskruti, there was only Vidyaa-daanam,  never Vidyaa-vikrayam. This story happened when the British were ruling us and many of the schools were run by the English. However many of the Upaadhyaayakas were Bhaarateeyas only.
“Pay your fees, else you will be expelled from the school”, warned the authorities of the School. Many of the Vidyaarthis by that time paid the fees. However one very intelligent Vidyaarthi didnt because he came from a very poor family. Somebody gave advise to him, as he was sadly coming out of the school, “Baalaka! Dont be worried. If you go to ‘this’ person and tell your kashtam, he will help you”. The next day the baalaka went to ‘that’ person and told his deenaavastha to the person. The person first consoled the baalaka and gave him aasheervaadam. Then he gave him one note and sent him away.
In the aanandam, the baalaka didnt see what note it was. He saw after going for some distance. To his surprise he saw that it was a 100 Rupee note. In those days, 100 was a huge sum of money. Thinking that may be the person gave it by mistake, the baalaka went back to return the note to the person. The person, with chiru-mandahaasam, said “O Putra! This is for you only. Pay the fees. Buy the required books. Do Vidyaabhyaasam and become a true Bhaarateeya”. The baalaka was surprised seeing the Daatrutvam of the person. Though the person was an Upaadhyaayaka and himself earned very less, he helped him so much.
The person is none other than “Kaashiinaatha Naageshwara Rao“. Due to many many such Daanams, he became famous as “Vishvadaata”.
Morals in the story:

1. The daana-gunam of Kaashiinaatha Naageshwara Rao is well shown in the story. Daanam is one of the greatest Punya-kaaryams in our Bhaarateeya Saampradaayam.
2. The honesty of the Balaaka is also shown in the story. Thinking that the person may be in need of it, he went back to return the note once he saw 100 Rs. denomination on it.

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

 
<sub>(My humble greatfulness to Moral Stories dot com,  Hindu dot com and Devotees   for the   collection)

( A tribute to the great Bharatiya Samskruti)</sub>