Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Arjun! Arjun bathed in Gangā & offered water to his ancestors. As he was pouring oblations, he was dragged to the palace of Nāga king Kauravya whose daughter Ulupi wanted to marry him. Arjun admonished her for this rash act. Ulupi informed about herself & begged Arjun to marry her. Arjun informed that he is under vow of brahmacharyā for 12 years & hence could not fulfill her wish. After reminding Arjun of his Kshatriya duties to accept a woman who approaches for marriage, she expressed her desire not to live if he rejects her Arjun out of virtue fulfilled Ulupi’s desire. Before departing Ulupi granted Arjun benediction of being able to defeat all creatures that live within water. Arjun then departed for Himalayās & visited many sacred places. He also reached mount Mahendra & after some days arrived at the kingdom of Manipura. He entered King Citravāhana palace, where he saw king’s beautiful daughter Citrāngada. He desired to have her as wife & went to the

Do we know? Pāndavās gradually brought many kings under their sovereignty & due to their pious rule, entire kuru dynasty became very prosperous One day a band of thieves stole some cows from a Brahmin. Being upset & angry, Brahmin came to royal palace at Indraprastha & reproached Pāndavās-The so-called kings extract 1/6 th of citizens production as taxes & yet don’t even make a show of protection! My cows have been stolen & it is duty of rulers to pursue thieves & recover my property. Kings who simply extract taxes without protecting citizens are worst of sinners Upon hearing this, Arjun replied-O Brahmin pls restrain your grief. Rest assured that I’ll punish thieves & return your cows. When Arjun went to get his bow, he realized that Yudhisthira was sitting in room where weapons were stored. Arjun was in dilemma & he thought-If I enter the room, it’ll be an offense against my brother & I’ll go to exile for 12 years. On other hand, if I don’t fulfil

Rise not Fall! Tilottamā bowed before Lord Brahmā & said-Pls inform me about purpose for which I’ve been created. Go to Sunda & Upsunda who are staying at Kurukshetra & captivate them with your exquisite beauty, said Brahmā. Bring them under your control first & then act in such a way that 2 demons quarrel with one another. The damsel accepted the order, circumambulated the assembled demigods & sages and set out on her mission After Sunda & Upsunda conquered the 3 worlds & had no more rivals, they considered that there was nothing more to achieve. Utilizing the wealth they had amassed, the began to enjoy life like demigods passing their time in company of beautiful women, who sang their glories. One day Tilottamā came to the brothers as they were seated in heavenly garden. Wearing only a single piece of red silk that amply exposed her feminine allurements, she entered the garden as if to pick some flowers The brothers intoxicated with wine, became capt

Limitation! Sri Krsna & Balarāma had accompanied Pāndavās to Indraprastha to help their devotees get settled. Thus, royal happiness of Pāndavās was only of incidental importance in comparison to transcendental bliss felt in association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One day Nārada muni appeared at Pāndavās royal assembly. King Yudhisthira had the great sage sit on his royal throne & after offering him arghya, reported to him state of affairs within his kingdom The sage requested King to take seat. Draupadi then arrived to have opportunity of worshipping lotus feet of Mahājana Nārada. The sage offered benediction to her & later gave 5 brothers instructions so that no disagreement would ever arise between them over their common wife. He told an ancient story for this purpose Once there were 2 brothers named Sunda & Upsunda who had received benediction from Brahmā making them incapable of being slain, except by one another. They were such intimate friends that they

  Adversity! Commanded by Dhritrāshtra to bring Pāndavās back, Vidura went without delay to Pāncāla, with many gifts for King Drupada, his daughter & Pāndavās. Upon his arrival he first went to see the King & after talking for some time, went to see Pāndavās. Sri Krsna was present with Kunti devi & her sons, and they all worshipped Vidura with great respect. Vidura explained how he had come on behalf of Dhritrāshtra & presented them valuable gifts In presence of Sri Krsna, Kunti & her sons, Vidura relayed Dhritā’s message to Drupada-It is with great pleasure that I congratulate my nephews to establish alliance with Pāncālas. I request you to kindly grant them permission to return to Hastināpur, for we all are very eager to see them. Drupada said-I’m happy that Dhrita has adopted such friendly attitude. If Yudhisthira wants to return, I gladly grant him permission Yudhi said-Dear Father-in-law, we’re completely dependent upon you, hence it is up to you to order

Artha to Anartha Bhisma said to Dhritrāshtra-O King! Pāndavās are virtuous souls & they are unalloyed devotees of Sr Krsna. Because of their adherence to religious principles, you’ll never be able to deceitfully deprive them of their kingdom Dronācharya then said-What Bhisma has said exactly expresses my feelings. I thus advise you to immediately send a messenger to Drupada. After giving him costly gifts for his daughter, the messenger should express your desire for a peaceful alliance. He should then extend an invitation to Pāndavās to return to Hastināpur so that they can take their parental kingdom back At this point Karna impudently exclaimed-Just see the behavior of these two! Although they have been pampered with royal luxuries by King’s kindness, they are trying to turn against him. He said to Dhritrāshtra-O King! By destiny you’ve gained possession of the royal throne. If destiny wills, then you can continue to remain in control & keep the royal throne. Do allow you

  Advisor! Duryodhana after encouraged by his father said-There are many plans I’ve been considering. Dissension can be sown amongst Pāndavās so their strength of unity can be broken. Or as they are married, they can be urged to settle down in Pāncāla kingdom. In this way we could become unrivaled rulers of Hastināpur. Also if somehow Bhima is killed, then all Pāndavās would be cut as they depend on his strength Another possibility is to influence Draupadi so that she becomes dissatisfied with her husbands. Everyone knows about the fickle nature of women & since she has 5 husbands, it should not be hard to create jealousy amongst them. Once Draupadi begins to neglect Pāndavās, they will gradually wither away, not able to bear her separation O King! You’re our father & so we cannot do anything without your sanction. Pls select a plan you feel to be effective so that we can plan to execute it, said Duryodhana. He also asked Karna what he thinks. Karna said-It doesn’t appear

Deception! For some time, Pāndavās & their newly wedded wife stayed at Pāncāla capital receiving hospitality of Drupada. The alliance between them was secured. Soon by means of spies, all kings & princes who attended Draupadi’s Swayamvara learned that it was Arjun who had pierced fish target. They marveled at Pāndavā’s prowess & condemned Kurus & Purocana for their wicked assassination attempt When Duryodhana found out it was Arjun who won Swayamvara, he plunged into gloom & depression. He lamented-May Purocana be damned for his carelessness. It appears that fate is indeed supreme & thus due to Pāndavās miraculous escape only, Arjun was able to win Draupadi instead of him. Now that his cousins are allied with Drupada, his position has become weak too Duhsāsana, himself ashamed & dejected, tried to console his elder brother saying-if Arjun had not disguised himself as a Brāhmana, he wouldn’t have won Draupadi. It seems fate is supreme & exertion is us

Consensus! Drupada asked Yudhisthira to consult Kuntidevi & Dhrstadyumna & after all 3 reach a conclusion, marriage ceremony of Draupadi can be performed tomorrow. Thereafter as 3 discussed the matter, Vyāsdev arrived & all stood up in respect. Drupada then humbly asked him about marriage of his daughter-Is it ok that Draupadi marries all 5 Pāndavās without incurring any sinful reaction? Is such marriage sanctioned according to principles of religion? Vyāsdev said-It is a fact that scriptures never enjoin a girl marrying more than one husband. Nor such practice is socially acceptable. Still, I would like each of you to give opinion on the matter. Drupada said that he considers such a marriage as sinful & he cannot think of any instance in present, past or future when such ever happened. Dhrsta also expressed his strong disapproval. Yudhisthira then said-In Puranās we find story of Jatilā, who married seven sages. Also, one sage daughter had married ten Pracetās Th

  Morality! A messenger of Drupada arrived & announced to Pāndavās-A grand feast is prepared for bridegroom’s party on Draupadi’s wedding. The king has extended his invitation to you & have sent chariots to carry you to palace. As Pāndavās prepared to depart putting Kunti & Draupadi on one chariot & themselves on another, Drupada received Yudhisthira’s cryptic reply from the priest. To be prepared for any eventuality, he kept paraphernalia ready for marriage of persons from each of 4 varnās. In addition to ascertain real identity of his son-in-law, Drupada kept many interesting articles on display to see what draws bridegroom’s attention There were sacrificial implements & objects of deity worship for Brahmanās, weapons and armor to attract Kshatriyās & cows, seeds and agricultural items for vaishyās. After arriving at Drupada’s palace, Kunti & Draupadi entered women’s apartment while Pāndavās sat on throne provided for them. A sumptuous feast was served

Speech! Krsna & Balrāma arrived at potter’s house & saw Yudhisthira with his brothers. After touching Yudhisthira’s feet, Lord Krsna said-I’m Krsna, son of Vasudeva & this is Balarāma, son of Rohini. Pāndavās were delighted to meet their cousin brothers. How did you recognize us in spite of our disguises, asked Yudhisthira. Krsna said-Even when covered, fire can easily be perceived. Who else but your brothers could’ve performed such wonderful feats? It’s your good fortune that you escaped fire & it didn’t allow wicked Duryodhana to succeed in his plot to kill you, said Lord Krsna, who then departed so that Pāndavās identities is not disclosed Dhrstadyumna had secretly followed Pāndavās when they returned home with Draupadi, so that he could observe mysterious brāhmanās concealing themselves in potter’s house. While remaining hidden Dhrsta saw Bhima & Arjun return from their rounds of begging alms & handover their collection to Yudhisthira. Kunti then instructed

Careful! Bhima & Salya were engaged in dragging & throwing each other on ground & striking with their fists & knees. Bhima then picked up Salya & threw him some distance. Although Salya wasn’t hurt, all Kshatriyās began to wonder about real identities of Bhima & Arjun seeing their extraordinary prowess. While appreciating power of 2 brahmanās, they lost their inclination to fight Lord Krsna took this opportunity to request Kshatriyās to stop fighting, pointing out how Draupadi has been fairly won by the brahmana. All agreed & left. There was celebration amongst all brahmanās & with great difficulty Bhima & Arjun departed sacrificial arena. As they pushed their way thro’ crowds, they appeared like the Sun & Moon emerging from the mass of clouds Meanwhile, Kunti sat at potter’s house imagining that her sons may have been recognized & then killed by sons of Dhrtarāshtra or perhaps devoured by demons. As she remained absorbed in thoughts, s

  Purpose Vs Pleasure Sisupāla came next at Swayamvar of Draupadi, but as he attempted to string the bow, he fell to his knees exhausted. Jarāsandha came next but he too was thrown to ground by the spring of mighty bow. Salya faced the same & the crowd began making derisive comments about of Ksatriyās. At this time Arjun suddenly got up from the section of Brāhmanas & majestically strode toward the bow Indeed, this caused quite a stir amongst Brāhmanas as some of them were pleased but others annoyed thinking that if Arjun fails it would be a disgrace for them. On other hand, many felt confident of Arjun’s success, appreciating his superior strength & having faith in his Brahmanical prowess. Arjun circumambulated the bow & after bowing his head to Lord Shivā, he firmly fixed his mind at the Lotus feet of Sri Krsna. He picked bow & strung it in an instant. After placing the arrow upon bowstring, he drew it back to his ear & carefully took aim When Arjun rele

Play to your advantage! Don’t crib The grand festival of Draupadi’s Swayamvara was scheduled to last for 15 days climaxing with appearance of princess. All citizens came to watch entertaining performances of musicians, singers, dancers, orators & dramatist. When appointed day arrived, Draupadi dressed & fully decorated herself with ornaments. She then entered the arena of Swayamvara carrying a flower garland in one hand & a golden dish of Arghya in the other. The fire sacrifice commenced, along with chanting of Vedic mantras Dhristadhyumna took his sister by the arm & read aloud names & achievements of heroic princes & kings present. These included illustrious personalities such as Duryodhana, Karna, Sakuni, Asvatthāma, Virāta & his 2 sons, Salya, Paundraka, Bhagadatta, some of Krsna’s sons including Sāmba, Pradyumna & Cārudesna, Sisupāla, Jarāsandha & many others. He informed that his sister would choose her husband from amongst those who could

  Competence over emotion! After Gandharva finished his story about sage Vashistha, Arjun requested him to suggest qualified Brāhmana who could become Pāndavas priest. Rsi Dhaumya younger brother of Devala, was recommended. Pāndavās then proceeded towards Utkocaka, where Dhaumya was engaged in performing austerities Rsi Dhaumya readily agreed to become Pāndavās priest. After ceremoniously selecting him, 5 brothers felt as if their mission to obtain Draupadi had already been accomplished. Indeed they felt so protected under Rsi’s shelter that they considered their kingdom to be as good as recovered. They then departed to Pāncāla & on way met many Brāhmins also going in same direction. On being enquired about their identity, Pāndavās said they were Brahmins coming from Ekacakra Brāhmins informed about grand festival organized by King Drupada on occasion of his daughter’s Swayamvara. They also described about Draupadi’s exquisite beauty & said, Princes will be coming from all over