Nectar at first poison at end!


As all remained silent, Karna said-Dushasana! Take the maidservant Draupadi into inner apartments. As Dushasana dragged helpless & trembling Draupadi, she begged him with tears in eyes saying- Release me for a moment so that I can go & offer my obeisances to elderly Kurus as I had previously neglected to do so


In response, cruel hearted Dushasana began to drag her more forcefully. She fell on floor & with choked voice addressed the assembly: Oh! Formerly I was kept within palace so that not even Sun or wind could see me. Only once, at my Swayamvara was I seen in assembly of kings & yet today I’m dragged by this wretch right in front of you


Can you explain how it is that you remain indifferent while your daughter-in-law is being abused in your presence? I beseech you to decide once & for all whether I was won in gambling match or not. I’ll obediently act according to your decision


Bhisma said-O blessed one! I’ve already said that ways of morality are very subtle. Because of intricacy & gravity of matter at hand, it isn't possible for me to properly decide the issue. However, there is one thing I can say with confidence that whether you’ve become their slave or not, Kauravas have become servants of their greed & folly, making it certain that they’ll be destroyed in near future


Bhisma surveyed assembly & saw that Drona & others were sitting silently with their heads bent low as if bereft of life. He suggested: O Draupadi! I think only Yudhisthira is qualified to answer your question. You should ask him whether you were won or not


Duryodhana smiled seeing how all kings were afraid of him & were silent. Taking a cue from Bhisma’s suggestion he said to Draupadi: It is up to your husbands to answer your question. Yudhisthira has wagered you & lost. However, if his brothers renounce him because of his foolishness, I’ll set you free so that you can join your other 4 husbands. I’ll also let you go if Yudhisthira claims that he was no longer your master when he put you on stake


All heads then turned towards Yudhisthira & his brothers to see what they would say. Bhima first spoke: If we had rejected Yudhisthira as our Lord, then we’d never have forgiven Kauravas for their offenses. If Yudhisthira regards himself as having been won by Kauravas, then we’re also won. Similarly, if Yudhisthira commands me, I’m prepared to kill all Dhritrāshtra’s sons with my bare arms, just as lion slays smaller animals


Bhisma, Drona & Vidura tried to pacify Bhima


Krsna beautifully explains:

viṣayendriya-saṁyogād yat tad agre ’mṛtopamam

pariṇāme viṣam iva tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam


That happiness which is derived from contact of senses with their objects & which appears like nectar at first but poison at the end is said to be of the nature of passion


We also inadvertently fall into the same trap & behave as if under a spell. If our intelligence betrays us it is only because senses sways the mind & takes control!


Beware! #gameoflife

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