Duty!

 

As they saw Susharmā losing consciousness, Trigarta army panicked & fled, leaving aside Virāta’s cattle and other treasures they had plundered. Bhima did not kill Susarmā considering that Virāta and cows had been rescued & due to Yudhisthira’s lenient nature. Instead, he tied Trigarta king but ultimately released him on orders of Yudhisthira

 

Bhima told Susarmā: I’ll let you go provided you publicly declare yourself to be King Yudhisthira’s slave, for this is customary treatment given to one who is vanquished in battle. But Yudhisthira intervened & after giving him unconditional freedom, warned: Never again act in such an abominable way. You should remain satisfied with whatever you have acquired by righteous means

 

After being untied, Susarmā offered obeisances to Maharāj Yudhisthira & also to Virāta. With his head bowed in shame, he then departed

 

While spending the rest of the night on the battlefield, Virāta greatly honored all Pāndavās for rescuing him. In fact, he offered them his entire kingdom to rule but Yudhisthira said: We simply wish you well & would want nothing more than this

 

Meanwhile as Matsyas & Trigartas were busy fighting one another, Kaurava army arrived at Virāta’s kingdom. After driving out cowherd men, they confiscated 60 000 cows. Terrified, cowherd chief went to see Virāta’s son Bhuminjaya (also called Uttara), who was practically left alone to guard the city. He informed: O Prince! All our cows have been seized by Kauravas. Pls rescue them after defeating our enemies in battle. You are our sole refuge as Arjun is the refuge of Pāndavās. Yoke your steeds & vanquish them

 

Since Bhuminjaya was addressed by cowherd chief in front of many women, he boastfully said: I would gladly go & retrieve our cows after defeating Kauravas. But unfortunately, my chariot driver was slain in a recent battle. Therefore, find me a qualified charioteer so that I can display my prowess

 

Hearing this, Arjun whispered to Draupadi: Go & inform Uttara that I was formerly Arjuna’s charioteer. I will drive his chariot so that he can defeat his enemies

 

Draupadi shyly approached Uttara & said: O Prince! I was formerly engaged in Pāndavās service & I heard that Brhannala had driven Arjun’s chariot when the great warrior enabled Agni to devour the Khandava forest. Uttara said: I would be ashamed to ask Brhannala to become my chariot driver

 

Draupadi suggested that his sister Uttarā could make the request & so she went to Brhannala. As Arjun saw Uttarā, he asked about the purpose of coming to him. She replied: My father’s cows have been forcibly taken by Kurus. My brother Uttara wants to rescue the cows, but his charioteer is not with him. Pls drive my brother’s chariot so that he can fight

 

One’s greatness lies in extending a helping hand when someone is in dire need. A friend in need is a friend indeed

We may have all the skills which can be used in the service of others, but somehow due to our false ego, we feel that we would help only when we are asked to. Helping others as a matter of duty is a quality very few have

 

Krsna says:

etāny api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni ca
kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṁ matam uttamam

 

Sacrifice, charity & penance: should be performed without attachment or any expectation of result. They should be performed as a matter of duty

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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