Temptations!


As soon as Duryodhana was born, he began to bray like an ass & upon hearing this sound all asses, crows, vultures & jackals responded with their respective cries. Along with this uproar, violent winds began to blow & numerous other evil omens were visible. This news was quickly conveyed to Bhisma & Vidura


Meanwhile Yudhisthira had already been born to Kunti & it so happened that her 2nd son Bhima was born same day as Duryodhana


Dhrtarāstra became very fearful upon hearing his son bray like an ass & so he called Bhisma, Vidura & other learned Brahmanas. He inquired-Yudhisthira is certainly the eldest kuru prince & is thus right inheritor of royal throne, still I want to know whether my son has rights to ascend throne after son of Kunti? As soon as these words were spoken, jackals began to howl


Taking note of this Vidura & other Brahmanas said-fearful omens that we perceive surely indicates that your son will become exterminator of your dynasty. You should better abandon him without hesitation for welfare of world. However due to staunch paternal affection, Dhrtarāstra wasn’t able to accept good advice. Thereafter within a period of 1 month, rest of Gāndhari’s 100 sons were born as well as a daughter. During Gāndhari’s pregnancy, Dhrtarāstra begot another son named Yuyutsu by a vaisya maidservant


Many years before as Pāndu was roaming in forest, he saw a large deer united with its mate. Addicted to hunting, Pāndu shot 5 arrows at deer, who fell to ground & cried like a human being-O wicked king! How you learned such cruel & abominable behavior? Pāndu said-Kshatriyas kill without any moral consideration, why you’re finding fault in me? Deer said-I’m not criticizing you for killing a deer but for killing me as I was engaged in enjoying with my mate, which is so agreeable to all creatures


O King! I’m not a deer but sage Kindama, enjoying with my wife in the form of deer as I felt it’s too modest to unite in human form. Because you’ve been so cruel to kill me, as I was relishing most pleasurable moment, I hereby curse you. Next time you approach your wife to unite, you’ll die & your wife will follow you by ascending funeral pyre. After saying this sage gave up his life


When Pāndu informed his wives about it they all wept bitterly with despair


Temptations entice us. People think that to avoid temptations is cowardly & hence feel heroic to pursue it. When we are tempted, we lose our focus & attention, & are diverted to waste our resources-time energy money & everything else on something frivolous & destructive. That is why our ability to focus & not tempted saves us from catastrophic risks. Else it is suicidal


Aligned to higher purpose saves us from such temptations


yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ

indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā


One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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