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 because of your passive role in exiling Pāndavās, all sages have very low opinion about you

 

Turning to Duryodhana, the sage spoke softly-Please take heed of what I’ve to say. Cast off your determination to compete with Pāndavās. Instead make endeavor to make peace with your cousins. I know that you’re already aware of Pāndavās superior prowess which they have displayed on many occasions. Even as they were departing for forest, Bhima killed a powerful demon Kirmira. You shouldn’t think that Pāndavās are now impotent because of their exile. So, to avoid future disaster you must change your attitude & try to make amends with them

 

Although the sage had very gently instructed him, Duryodhana found his words intolerable. Indeed, as the sage spoke, he expressed his irritation & impatience by slapping his thigh & repeatedly scratching the ground with his toes. He kept his head down & simply smiled while remaining silent, showing his unwillingness to even consider sage’s advice

 

The intelligent sage felt slighted by Duryodhana & as a result he suddenly flared up with rage. As if impelled by fate, the sage first touched water & then angrily declared: Because you have insulted me by disregarding my words, in great war that will happen due to your sinful acts, this thigh of yours will be broken with a stroke of Bhima’s mace

 

Dhritrāshtra tried to pacify sage Maitreya hoping that he would retract his words, but the sage told him: I’m only willing to retract my curse if Duryodhana makes peace with Pāndavās

 

Dhritrāshtra was now convinced that a great battle would inevitably take place between Kauravas & Pāndavās

 

Arrogance is not just the absence of humility, but it is rabid resistance to humility. When we are overcome with urge to be defiant by default & close all our senses to any feedback others give, such resistance makes us stupid. Even if we are not normally humble, if we see things in proper perspective and experience the bigger realities, it infuses a sense of humility to reconsider our stance

 

Let’s stimulate our mind, illuminate our intelligence & prompt our consciousness. If we are spiritually situated, not bound by material frailties, this is very easy to be done

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife