Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Power-Use & Misuse!   To get some idea of Bhima’s strength, Dhritrāshtra requested sage Maitreya to describe how he had killed demon Kirmira. Sage said: I’ll not speak any further as whatever I said has been disregarded. After my departure you can hear about Bhima’s strength from Vidura   Sage Maitreya then left the royal palace. Duryodhana also departed as he didn’t want to hear about Bhima’s heroics. Dhritrāshtra asked Vidura to elaborate about Kirmira’s killing. Vidura always maintained a desire to benefit his elder brother & so he gladly related the incident   On the 3 rd day of departure from Hastinapur, Pāndavās reached Kāmyakavan around midnight. Due to fear of demons even sages wouldn’t dare to enter the forest after dark. When Pāndavās came there, they found a fierce demon obstructing their path with outstretched arm. Carrying a torch in hand, the gruesome creature had 8 protruding teeth, glowing coppery eyes & bristling erect hair...

  Arrogance!   Maitreya Muni arrived at Hastinapur & was very respectfully received by Dhritrāshtra & Duryodhana   When Dhritrāshtra inquired from Maitreya about welfare of Pāndavās, sage replied-After wandering throughout Kurujāngala visiting numerous holy places, I unexpectedly came to see Maharāj Yudhisthira in Kāmyaka forest. I was very surprised to see the king dressed in deerskin & having matted hair. In answer to my queries, he described all that had taken place. As soon as I heard about your eldest son’s wicked behavior, I rushed here to try rectifying the situation   My dear Dhritrāshtra, in your presence there should have never arisen a quarrel between your sons & the sons of Pāndu. After all you’ve final authority & so have power to control your sons. How could you sanction Duryodhana’s devious plans without considering disastrous effects that such a gambling match would produce? Out of affection I beg to inform you that bec...

  Equality!   Vyāsdev understood everything by his spiritual vision and intercepted Kauravas on the road as they were going to attack Pāndavās & made them give up their wicked intention. He then came to Dhritrāshtra & said: Son! I’m very displeased that Pāndavās have been cheated out of their kingdom & exiled to forest. I had already warned you that by causing dissension amongst the cousin brothers, you’re bringing about destruction of Kuru dynasty   Dhritrāshtra said: Dear father! I didn’t favor the dice match & neither did Bhisma, Drona, Krpā & Vidura. And yet under guidance of fate, I followed my son to go ahead with his scheme, bound by parental affection. Vyāsdev said: It’s a fact that a good son is one’s dearest possession. Just to illustrate this truth, I’ll tell you an incident that took place long ago   Once upon a time Indra happened to see Surabhi, the mother of cows, weeping. Out of compassion, he asked Surabhi the cause of her sorrow....

  Mind IT! After reflecting, Dhritrāshtra began to repent for having so harshly insulted his younger brother Vidura. Indeed, the old king became so aggrieved due to his misbehavior that he fell unconscious. After recovering his senses, he wept for some time with bitter remorse. He then called minister Sanjaya & ordered him: Go & bring back Vidura at once, for if you fail to do so I’ll surely give up my life out of despair Sanjaya immediately departed for Kāmyakavana. Upon his arrival, Sanjaya saw Vidura & the Pāndavās surrounded by 1000’s of Brāhmanās. When Vidura heard Dhritrāshtra’ s message of remorse he went back to Hastināpur with Sanjaya. When Vidura came before Dhritrāshtra, the blind king affectionately took him on his lap. While begging his brother’s head, the king begged for forgiveness by saying: My dear brother during your absence, I couldn’t even sleep at night   Vidura said: You should know certain that I’m just as concerned about your sons as the son...

  Vidura-A gem to be kept close   In Hastinapur, Dhritrāshtra continued to consult Vidura about welfare of his sons & about how angry citizens could be won over. Vidura said: You should know that all kinds of success in fields of Dharma Artha & Kāma are derived by virtue alone. Therefore, you should treat your sons & the sons of Pāndu equally. This is the only way you could rectify the sinful course that you & your sons have taken. Give Pāndavās kingdom back & chastise the wicked Sakuni. If Duryodhana doesn’t agree to this, reject him once & for all   Only if Duryodhana agrees to rule the kingdom peacefully along with Pāndavās, can the situation be saved. Karna, Dushasana & Sakuni should engage in Yudhisthira’s service after begging his pardon. Because of his grave offense, Dushasana must publicly plead for forgiveness from Bhima & Draupadi. Under the present condition, this is the only advice I can give you my brother   Dhritrāshtra w...

  Empowerment!   After talking to Saunaka, Yudhisthira approached sage Dhaumya & said: Being neither able to support Brāhmanās nor abandon them, I’ve become exceedingly unhappy. Pls give me some instruction that’ll enable me to understand what I should do. Dhaumya reflected for a while in a meditative mood & said: O King! In the beginning of creation all living entities became afflicted with hunger   Savitā, the sun-God, took compassion upon the suffering living beings & began to evaporate water with his powerful rays & with the help of moon clouds were created. Rainfall came as a consequence & land began to produce plants for food. From this we can understand that solar energy is the inherent ingredient for all kinds of eatables that sustains our lives. I suggest that you worship Suryā with a vow of great austerity, said Dhaumya   Sage taught Yudhisthira a prayer composed by Lord Brahmā, containing 108 names of Sun-god & assured him: If you r...

  Human life’s real occupation! Saunaka said to Yudhisthira: Those who’re self-realized & have thus attained understanding of eternal cannot come under sway of temporal material affection. But those who’re materially engrossed are always dragged by their desires for sense gratification, which leads them to perform sinful activities. It is only when thirst for material gratification is renounced, one can actually become happy For eg. It is seen that persons who strive to accumulate wealth undergo so many miseries, not only to acquire it but to maintain it as well. Sometimes one even has to sacrifice his life in pursuit of material advancement. Contentment is real cause of happiness & wise strives to remain satisfied in all conditions of life. Knowing well flickering nature of youth, beauty & company of loved ones, wise man never seeks pleasure in these things You shouldn’t strive for material happiness but remain satisfied by keeping yourself firmly fixed on path of righ...

  Anxiety!   Sabha Parva ends & Vana Parva starts! After leaving Hastināpur thro’ Vardhamāna gate, Pāndavās travelled north on their chariots, with Draupadi, their weapons & 14 servants who were accompanied by their wives. Citizens of Hastināpur felt doomed & condemned Bhisma, Drona, Vidura & Krpā for allowing Duryodhana to carry out his wicked plans. Overwhelmed with sorrow, they decided to go with Pāndavās to forest   With folded hands, they petitioned Pāndavās saying: Don’t leave us behind, allow us to follow you. We’re afraid of evil-minded Duryodhana. Don’t forsake us as we’re your loving subjects. Qualities of a human being are gained by association, just as cloth & water are perfumed by contact with flowers. For this reason, we wish to engage our lives in our service, for you’re pure hearted, heroic & virtuous King Yudhisthira said: O residents! You’ve greatly satisfied us. Now pls honor my request to return to Kuru capital & take care o...