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. She said: I’m aggrieved to see the condition of my poor son. She pointed down to the earth where a cruel farmer was beating with a stick a bull pulling his plow. Finally, the bull became so exhausted from the hard labor that he fell to the ground & looked on the verge of death

 

Surabhi said: Indra! The other bull is strong & so he can bear the labor, but my son is lean & weak & beaten by farmer, he has almost lost consciousness. Indra enquired: O Surabhi! Since you have 1000’s of sons engaged in hard labor, why do you feel so sorry for this particular bull? She said: I certainly have affection for all my sons, but my heart is naturally drawn to the one that is weak. After hearing this Indra became convinced that a son is even dearer to a mother than her own life. With a desire to please Surabhi, Indra caused a sudden shower to pour upon earth, due to which farmer’s work was interrupted & Surabhi’s son got some relief

 

Vyāsdev advised: Dhritrāshtra just like Surabhi I’m sure that you’ve affection for your sons. Now let your heart turn towards those sons that are afflicted. I’ve always considered Pāndu, Vidura & You equally. However, since Pāndu begot only 5 sons & you received 101, and because Pāndavās are now in a very precarious position, I’m always troubled by thoughts of how they can be protected & benefitted

 

O King! If you wish that your children may live, let Duryodhana make peace with Pāndavās

 

Dhritrāshtra admitted: I know very well that your advice is sound. Infact Bhisma & Vidura have already spoken same words to me on innumerable occasions. However, if you want your advice to actually bear fruit, pls give it to Duryodhana & not me

 

Vyāsdev informed his son: Very soon after visiting Pāndavās, Maitreya Muni will arrive to admonish Duryodhana. I must warn you that if his advice is ignored, this great powerful sage will curse your son in great anger

 

We normally profess equality as the basis of our dealings but actually practice equality where some are more equal than others. We blatantly take sides when it suits self interest & give excuse to justify the same

 

We are all equal spiritually as souls, though we are materially diverse. This includes animals & other living beings too

 

#gameoflife

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Victory! It was early in morning as both sides awaited the rising of Sun, a brisk wind carried drops of water & thunder was heard, although not a cloud was seen in sky. After some time, the wind picked up so that not only was there a dust storm, but even small pebbles were blown here & there. Meteors fell from the sky & earth trembled. When the Sun rose, it lacked its usual splendor. And yet both armies looked magnificent & all warriors appeared jubilant in anticipation When Maharaj Yudhisthira saw the vast Kaurava army with Bhisma in its midst, he became disheartened & his face became pale. He said to his brother Arjun: I don’t think that we have a chance for victory. The vast army containing so many illustrious warriors appears impenetrable Arjun said: Dear brother, you must remain confident, knowing that even though we are inferior in numbers, victory is always with the righteous. You have forgotten that Lord Krsna is protecting us? Sri Krsna is the Supreme...
Read more
Image
Emotions! As R āksasās led by Ghatotkaca attacked, only Asvattāma remained firm & dispelled their illusions. Ghatotkaca rushed at Asvattāma, but the son of Drona drove him back with a forceful stream of arrows. The son of Ghatotkaca, named Anjanaparva joined the fray, showering his arrows upon Asvattāma, but Drona’s son quickly retaliated by knocking down his flag, killing his two drivers, breaking his bow & at last killing his horses   Anjanaparva flew into the sky & began showering trees upon Asvattāma. In retaliation the son of Drona afflicted him so severely that the Rāksasā soon had to return to the shelter of his chariot. Asvattāma discharged a fierce arrow that took away Anjanaparva’s life & then continued to slaughter many other Pāndava warriors   Ghatotkaca became terribly aggrieved seeing the death of his son & so he rushed at Asvattāma while challenging him. In the spectacular duel that followed the entire sky became lit up by the spark...
Read more
Image
  Emotional outburst – It hurts!   Hearing Bhima’s roar, all Pāndava warriors triumphantly blew conch shells & shouted with joy. Duryodhana went to Drona on a swift chariot. With great anger he said: O Preceptor! Arjun, Sātyaki & Bhima have approached Jayadratha after vanquishing our soldiers. How could you let them defeat you & then pass right thro’ your army? Do you not know that all our warriors harshly criticize you for this grievous lapse? Anyways, let us forget what has passed. Now pls instruct me about what should be done for Jayadratha’s protection?   Drona replied: To protect Jayadratha is certainly our foremost duty, but I wish to remind you that all our present sufferings were brought about because you made Sakuni challenge Yudhisthira to gamble at the dice board. That dice game was the preliminary contest, but this war is the real gambling match wherein Jayadratha has become the stake & the deadly arrows are the dice. Go now, my dear Du...
Read more