Wisdom!

 

After Maharāj Yudhisthira (as Kanka) warning against, Virāta still intended to play the game of dice saying: I already want to give vast amounts of charity today on account of my son defeating the mighty Kauravas. What is the harm if I happen to lose a little at dice? Still Kanka warned: You should consider the inherent evil of gambling. Remember how Yudhisthira lost his empire while gambling

 

Virāta was insistent & so play began. While picking up dice, he bragged about how his son had single-handedly defeated all Kuru warriors. Yudhisthira said: This is not very surprising because Brhannala drove Uttara’s chariot

 

This comment irritated the king & he shouted: Foolish Brāhmanā, how can you compare a eunuch with my heroic son? I consider this to be a great insult! It is only in consideration of our friendship that I’m willing to forgive you. Let me warn you that if you want to continue living here, better be careful to never to say such a thing again. Yudhisthira said: I don’t think that your son deserves any credit for this victory. No one else but Brhannala could fight against Bhisma, Drona, Duryodhana, Asvattāma & Karna

 

At this Virāta flared up with rage and picking up one of the dice, he violently threw it at Kanka, striking him in the face. The King screamed: Do not dare to speak like this again!

 

As blood flowed from his nose, Yudhisthira caught it in his cupped hands, while glancing at Draupadi standing nearby. She understood her husband’s intention, quickly brought a golden dish filled with water & carefully caught the blood before it could touch the floor

 

Meanwhile as Uttara entered the city, citizens joyfully welcomed him & covered him with garlands. Virāta called upon his son with great pleasure. Yudhisthira took aside a messenger & whispered: Make sure you only summon Uttara & not Brhannala, for he has vowed to kill anyone who draws blood from me. If he comes & sees my wound, Brhannala would surely kill the king

 

Soon after, only Uttara came to the royal court & offered respects to his father. He saw Yudhisthira stained with blood & cared for by Draupadi. He asked: Dear father who has dared perform sinful act of harming Kanka?

 

Virāta said: It was I who struck the fool. He deserves much greater punishment, for he had dared praise Brhannala while I was glorifying your victory over Kurus. Uttara begged his father: Pls pacify Kanka, else you surely would be ruined by Brāhmanā’s curse. Hearing this Virāta became a little conscious of his offense & humbly approached Yudhisthira begging for forgiveness

 

Pride comes before fall. When we proudly place ourselves more than the merit, we come crashing down when we face real challenges which test our mettle. Most of the times even when we fall, the false pride still remains causing destructive streak of failures

 

How can we get rid of such arrogance? It starts with internal realization who we really are and what we are supposed to do. By following Bhagvad Gita wisdom we can empower ourselves to induce the fall of the false pride within us thereby freeing us to live the life humbly, purposefully & happily

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife


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