Fortitude!


Draupadi said to Yudhisthira-O King! Now is time for us to display our strength instead of wasting our time in the forest. Those who’re always humble & forgiving will be disregarded by everyone. We need to fight Kauravas to regain our respect & Kingdom


Yudhisthira said-Strength must be guided by intelligence & not blind passion. Uncontrolled anger always leads one to ruin,while suppression of anger enables one to be prosperous. How can you expect me to give way to uncontrollable rage when I possess this good understanding? When a person becomes controlled by anger, there is nothing that he is incapable of doing & he’ll speak harshly even to his superiors. Considering this a wise man carefully controls his anger & so will I


If great emphasis is not placed upon forgiveness, then all injuries will be retaliated against & continuous fighting would ultimately cause the destruction of everyone. It is only due to the good quality of forgiveness that there is any peace & prosperity on earth. Indeed, forgiveness can be said to be the force that holds the universe together


Therefore, Draupadi become forgiving, so that like me you’ll not suffer so much frustration. I’m confident that since Bhisma, Drona & Sri Krsna, Vidura & many other superior personalities are urging Dhritrāshtra to make a peaceful settlement & the old king will soon return our share of the kingdom. Indeed, if you carefully consider the matter, you’ll see that the only reason I deserve to rule the kingdom is because I possess the quality of forgiveness, just as Duryodhana is unqualified as he lacks this quality


Draupadi was not pleased with Yudhisthira’s understanding & so she spoke with indignation: O King! What is the use of your so-called virtue? In this world nothing is gained by gentleness, forgiveness, or straightforward behavior. Just see you’re the very proof of what I say. You’ve always been the emblem of virtue & yet the only result is our present suffering


In Ramayana, the same sentiment was expressed by Lord Rām when he wanted to cross the ocean to reach Lankā. He first petitioned the ocean deity by gentle means for 3 days to give way but to no avail. Finally, Sri Rām said to Laxman-I can see that the good quality of patience, simplicity & politeness are useless in dealing with wretched people who’ve no traces of virtue. My mildness & forbearance is considered signs of impotence by the Ocean & so he doesn’t even deign to come before Me


We also are faced with this dilemma about the extent to show virtuosity or act otherwise. The starting point should be to follow the principles of tolerance and patience and evaluate the person & situation on its merits. If the circumstances push to act contrary, we should be prepared to act keeping in view the higher dharmic principles of piety


In this age of shoot & scoot, virtues of self-restraint & fortitude are fast becoming extinct. We should believe in these qualities that can have lasting impact


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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