Elevation!


Pāndu after being cursed by sage Kindama (of not being able to unite with his wives), made up his mind to renounce material life & live life of strict Brahmacārya. He announced that he’ll shave his head, give up all connection with wives, maintain himself by begging & act for welfare of all living entities. When Kunti & Mādri heard Pāndu, they tearfully begged him to allow them to be with him in his life of austerity. At last, Pāndu agreed that they could remain with him as he lived life of a strict Vānaprastha


Pāndu gave all his ornaments to Brāhmanas & sent attendants to Hastināpur to inform his relatives of his intention. When Dhritarāstra heard about how Pāndu had been cursed, he wept bitterly in affection for his brother. But Pāndu’s detachment from material life & living a life of austerity gave him the prowess of a Brahmarsi & he became favorite of all sages, cāranas & sidhhās residing in surrounding forest


Pāndu was in grief & said to sages-As I don’t have son, after death I’ll surely perish along with all my ancestors. I’ve already fulfilled 3 kinds of debts-appeased demigods by sacrifices, satisfied sages by austerities & repaid living beings by living a moral life. But I’ve not fulfilled obligation to my forefathers by begetting a son & so my access to heavenly regions will surely be blocked. Sages assured Pāndu that he would have exalted sons


As Pāndu was discussing with Kunti, she said-before our marriage, once I was engaged in providing hospitality to my father brāhmana guests. Sage Durvāsa came to our place & greatly pleased by my selfless service, awarded me a mantrā whereby I can call any demigod to beget a child. Therefore, if I must have children by someone other than you, I suggest that I call for one of principal demigods


Pāndu was delighted by this excellent proposal & to have a virtuous son, requested to summon Dharmarāja, lord of justice. Gāndhari’s conception had progressed 1 year when Kunti called for Yamarāja to give her son. Thereafter Kunti’s baby was born & a voice from sky announced-This child name is Yudhisthira, most virtuous of all persons & he’ll rule entire earth as emperor

 

Later as per Pāndu’s request, Kunti summoned wind god Vāyu to obtain Bhima, the foremost with superhuman strength. One day Kunti seeing a tiger nearby jumped fearfully & the child on her lap fell on rocks. Astonishingly Bhima’s body wasn’t slightly bruised but the big rock on which he fell, shattered into 100 pieces


When we live our material life according to rules & regulations, it facilitates our spiritual elevation. One should act as per scriptural injunctions without argument. Krsna says in BG 16,24


tasmāc chāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau

jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktaṁ karma kartum ihārhasi


One should therefore understand what is duty and what is not duty, by the regulations of the scriptures. Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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