Whatever may be the plots,
sub-plots narrate the story and the different characters in Mahabharata say in
different occasions, the crux of Mahabharata story revolves, as far as I
understood, around 2 subtle aspects of Human behaviour.
· Speak
the truth. Practise righteousness. (सत्यं
वद । धर्मं चर)
· asteya
(अस्तेय):
practice of asteya demands that one must not steal, nor have the intent
to steal, another's property through action, speech, and thoughts
—
Sage
Vyasa tried to communicate to all humans in the world, about the importance of
the above 2 subtle aspects, through the EPIC.
—-
I)
Importance of speaking TRUTH and practicing DHARMA.
Please
do not get distracted neither by the bewildering prowess of Bhimasena, the 2nd
son of Kunti, nor by the extra-ordinary archery skills exhibited by Arjuna, the
3rd son of Kunti.
The
Hero of the Mahabharata epic is Yudhisthira, ie., the eldest son of
Kunti.
Sage
Vyasa did communicate the purpose of composing the EPIC Mahabharata through the
characterisation of Yudhisthira, especially in the Yaksha Prashna, the
story of a question-and-answer dialogue between Yudhishthira and a Yaksha, in
the penultimate episode of Vana Parva.
Sage
Vyasa narrated in that small but important episode the importance of TRUTH and
following DHARMA and also the root cause of all problems.
Vana
Parva: Aranya Parva: Section CCCX
—-
At
the end of their 12 years of exile in the forests, Pandavas had been requested
by a Brahmana to bring back his who complained that his arani— a pair of
wooden blocks used to start fire by friction, were taken away by a deer. So,
the Pandavas set out to retrieve the Brahmin's arani and followed the
hoofprints of the deer. While following the mysterious deer, Yudhishthira
became exhausted and thirsty. So, his brother Nakula set out to fetch water and
found a beautiful lake.
The
lake was devoid of any living creature. When he attempted to take water from
the lake, these words were heard from the sky, "O Nakula! The water of
this This lake is already been in my possession and answer my questions before
taking water."
Nakula
ignored the warning, hastily drank the water, and died. Nakula's twin,
Sahadeva, came in search of his brother and found the same lake, saw Nakula
dead, and was warned by the invisible voice. However, Sahadeva too ignored the
crane and died after drinking the water. One after the other, Arjuna and Bhima
met the same fate.
When
none of his brothers returned with water, Yudhishthira followed the trail to
the lake and found them all lying dead. Before searching for his brothers'
killer, he decided to drink some water from the lake. But when the invisible
voice warned him, he realised that he has to answer its questions.
——
The
important questions posed by Yaksha are as follows;
1. What
is Highest shelter of heaven?
2. What
if renounced, makes one happy?
3. What
is idleness?
4. What
is most wonderful?
The
answers given by Yudhisthira are -
· Truth
is Highest Guard of Heaven
· Greed
· Not
discharging one’s prescribed duties
· Every
day numerous living entities are dying and going to the abode of Yama. Yet one
think/believe one will live remain forever (Immortal). What can be more
wonderful than this?
—
By
the time Yudhishthira reached the lake, he was exhausted physically and mentally.
We
have to remember that he lost his kingdom in the game of dice, undergone 12
years exile in the Forests and 1 year period of incognito - ajnAtavAsa,
is about to commence. And, on the top of it, he witnessed the dead bodies of
all his brothers near the lake, without any marks of weapons on their bodies.
What
would be his mental status at that point of time? Can an ordinary person
withstand all those calamities and yet remain firm in his DHARMA and answer
calmly all the questions posed by the Yaksha?
Yudhishthira
did that. And, that was the reason, he is the HERO of the EPIC.
Also,
remember that Sage Vyasa conveyed importance of SPEAKING TRUTH and remaining in
ONE’S Dharma.
—
II)
practice of asteya
Dhritarashtra
and his son Duryodhana, out of jealousy, planned to eliminate the Pandavas,
after Yudhisthira becoming the crown prince of the kingdom and the Pandavas
gaining much popularity among the citizens, by sending them to Varanavata.
Adi
Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXLII
Their jealousy can be understandable, as Pandu,
younger to Dhritarashtra, became the King of Kuru Kingdom, as the latter is
blind. Had Pandu did not pass away at an early age, Dhritarashtra would never
thought of becoming a King. And, thus Duryodhana becoming a king is out of
question.
However,
after Pandavas marrying Draupadi and coming back, Dhritarashtra was forced to
divide the kingdom and handover a part of kingdom to Yudhisthira. The Pandavas,
with the help of Shri Krishna, developed their kingdom by building a capital at
Indraprastha.
—-
So
Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana should have remained content with their part of
Kingdom without nurturing further hatred towards Pandavas.
However,
after participating in Rajasuya, performed by Yudhisthira and coming back from
Indraprastha, Duryodhana could not control his jealousy and thought of bringing
downfall to Pandavas, in one form or the other.
At
that point of time, even the wicked Sakuni also advised Duryodhana not to think
of Pandavas further.
Sabha
Parva: Sisupala-badha Parva: Section XLVII
Sakuni said.--'O Duryodhana, thou shouldst not
be jealous of Yudhishthira. The sons of Pandu are enjoying what they deserve in
consequence of their own good fortune. O slayer of foes, O great king, thou
couldst not destroy them by repeatedly devising numberless plans, many of which
thou hadst even put to practice. Those tigers among men out of sheer luck
escaped all those machinations. They have obtained Draupadi for wife and
Drupada with his sons as also Vasudeva of great prowess as allies, capable of
helping them in subjugating the whole world. And O king, having inherited the
paternal share of the kingdom without being deprived of it they have grown in
consequence of their own energy. What is there to make thee sorry for this?”
However,
Duryodhana did not relent. And, Dhritarashtra also supported him.
Both
the Father and the son forgot importance of asteya.
This
led to the Great War.
—-
Thus,
cousins belonging to same royal lineage not only brought downfall on themselves,
but caused the elimination of many kings, including some belonging to foreign
lands.
——
Did
we understand the message of Sage Vyasa?
