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 3rd 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 hairs. He roared frighteningly causing all forest animals to run away while many stunned birds dropping on ground. A violent wind began to blow so that soon a cloud of dust covered all directions

 

Demon began to create various illusions, but sage Dhaumya dispelled it by chanting mantras. Yudhisthira enquired: O Night prowler, tell us what you want. The man-eater said: I’m Kirmira, Bakā’s brother. May I ask you who you all are that have come as food for me today?

 

Yudhisthira introduced himself & his brothers, to which Kirmira gleefully said: For a long time, I was searching for my brother’s killer & killer of my good friend Hidimba. Killing Bhima, I can repay the debt I owe to those 2 heroes. As Yudhisthira rebuked Kirmira, Bhima tore a tall tree by its roots & approached demon to fight. Arjun strung his bow, but Bhima restrained him as he himself wanted to fight

 

A fearful duel ensued between the 2 & boulders were thrown together with huge trees. As they fought, Bhima happened to gaze at Draupadi & he remembered the humiliation at the hands of Duryodhana. Because of this, Bhima’s energy began to swell & he suddenly grabbed Kirmira, whirled him around till he became unconscious & threw him on ground. He pressed his knees against his stomach & strangled him to death. He then dragged demon’s body along the ground until he became satisfied seeing mangled corpse

 

Vidura thus described Bhima’s prowess & the blind old king heaved a heavy sigh becoming thoughtful. He thought about his sons and became more fearful about their destruction at the hands of Bhima. The terrible vow of Bhima to kill all his 100 sons looked more real than before

 

Using force can have catastrophic consequences but it also can be utilized as a powerful deterrent. Here Vidura is explaining Bhima’s strength to Dhritrāshtra for him to understand the futility of his son devious plans to wrongly usurp the kingdom. Power has two considerations-it can be used by good people for good but if it lies with bad people, it is catastrophic. Force also is used to jolt irresponsible people out of apathy & complacency, but it must be used judiciously

 

Power has high probability for misuse hence should be carefully given to only virtuous people, with whom they can serve others better

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife


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