Choice is ours!

As Utanka came back with earrings, his Guru Sage Veda asked why it has taken him so much time to return. Utanka explained that due to obstruction offered by the serpent king Takshaka, he had to go to nether regions of Nagas

Utanka asked sage if he can explain meaning of what he saw on his way. As I was going, I saw 2 damsels sitting at a loom, weaving a fabric with black & white threads, what does it mean? I also beheld a wheel with 12 spokes ceaselessly turned by 6 boys. What it implies? Who is also the man that I saw? And what that horse of extraordinary size seen by me represent? And when I was on road, I also saw a bull with a man mounted on it. He said-Eat the dung of this bull. So, I ate the dung according to the man’s words. Who was he? Pls enlighten me

Sage Veda said-2 damsels that you saw are Dhata & Vidhata, black & white threads denote night & day, wheel of 12 spokes turned by 6 boys signifies the year comprising 6 seasons. The man is Parjanya, deity of rain & horse is Agni, God of fire. The bull that you saw on road is Airavata, king of elephants. The man mounted thereon is Indra & dung of bull which was eaten by you was Amrita. It was certainly due to this that you’re alive. Indra who is my friend, been mercifully inclined showed you favor & you returned safe with earrings

Utanka then requested his master’s leave but was moved by anger & resolved to avenge himself on Takshaka. He came to Hastinapur, where King Janmejaya had just returned victorious from Taxila. Utanka saw the monarch surrounded by all sides by his ministers & as he passed, he spoke in correct speech to him-O King! How is that you are spending time like a child, when more important matters demand your attention

Your father King Parikshit was deprived of life by Takshaka. Will you not avenge his death? Go for your magnanimous father, who was bitten by the vile serpent & was reduced to 5 elements. This Takshaka, the vilest of the serpent’s race, intoxicated with power committed an unnecessary act to bite the king, who was protector of sages. He even caused Kashyapa (the physician) to return when he came to relieve your father. Burn that wicked wretch & avenge death of your father

Janmejaya was inflamed by Utanka’s words and was overcome with pain & sorrow

When someone hurts us, we may become filled with anger & resentment. Just as heavy weights burden us physically, grudges burden us emotionally & with that burden people can’t enjoy anything during their life journey. A grudge could be the heaviest thing to hold because under its weight, our whole life gets crushed by negativity & misery. Anger burns self, more than others

Just as putting aside weights offers physical relief, putting aside grudges offers emotional relief. However, our mind opposes the idea of letting go. We need to deal with our mind to focus on higher purpose of life and not get entrenched with the petty purpose to get back to others

Choice is ours

Thoughts? #gameoflife