Actual reason!

Maharaja Yudhisthira said to Bhisma: In spite of hearing your wonderful narrations, I am not able to give up my grief & attain peace of mind. How can mere theoretical instructions on the subject of spiritual elevation help me when I’ve already brought condemnation upon myself by becoming the cause of a great massacre? What could be more distressing than to see my grandfather lying on a bed of arrows as a consequence of my greed! How will I ever be able to become freed from the results of my grievous sins?

Bhisma told a story: There was once an old lady named Gautami, who was noted for her great patience & mental satisfaction. One day Gautami's son died after being bitten by a snake. To please the ascetic lady, a bird hunter Arjunaka captured the snake. After binding it securely, the hunter brought it to Gautami & inquired: Pious lady, how should I kill this culprit?

Gautami replied: Ignorant hunter, release the serpent! My son will not be brought back to life by killing this snake! Why should you unnecessarily perform a sinful act?

The hunter argued: Persons like you value peace of mind & equanimity very highly & so claim that everything is caused by Time or Destiny, but practical person like me take revenge against wrongdoers and thus mitigate our grief. Therefore, I will kill this snake!

Gautami countered: Cruel hunter, the death of my son, like everyone else's, was predestined as a result of his previous actions. For this reason, I cannot sanction the killing of this serpent. Furthermore, elevated persons never allow themselves to become disturbed by calamities. They forgive wrongdoers, knowing that resentment brings more suffering.

The hunter said: Dear lady, a person gains great merit by killing an enemy, or an envious and abominable creature

Gautami replied: This may be true, but greater merit is gained by releasing an enemy that has been captured. Still, the hunter argued: If this envious serpent is released, others will be put into danger

Gautami remained adamant & so the hunter said: Indra earned great merit by killing Vrtrasura & so you should allow me to destroy this snake without misgivings

And yet, in spite of the hunter's numerous arguments, Gautami did not waver in her views. The bound-up serpent then said: O hunter, I shouldn’t be blamed for killing this woman's child, for I had bitten him under the direction of Mrtyu. If anyone is at fault, it is Death personified, because I was only an instrument in his hands

The hunter said: O serpent, even as an instrument you are to be held responsible, just as in the manufacture of a clay pot, the potter's tools & wheel are considered causes

The snake replied: The potter's wheel & tools are not independent causes, and neither was I. Therefore, I cannot be held responsible for the boy's death

As the argument continued, Mrtyu personally came there & said: O serpent, you are falsely blaming me for this child's death. I had not independently ordered you to bite him, for I had done so at the command of Kala. Therefore, neither you nor I are the actual cause of the boy's death. Whatever action, or abstention from action, that a creature does, is done under the influence of Kala. In fact, everything is created & destroyed by Kala and thus your accusation is most unjust. If I’m to be blamed, you will also become implicated.

The snake replied: O Mrtyu, I do not blame you, nor do I excuse you. I had simply stated that whatever I had done was under your direction. As for blaming Kala, it is beyond my understanding to judge whether it is proper or not

The snake turned to the hunter and said: My dear sir, after hearing Mrtyu's words, you should release me

Still, the hunter replied: Quite the contrary! I now consider both you & Mrtyu guilty as conspirators. Instead of letting you go, I intend to kill you both

At this, Mrtyu objected: This is not right! Both of us have acted under Kala's direction

Just then Kala arrived & declared: Neither I, Mrtyu, nor the snake should be considered responsible for the death of any creature! The real cause of this child's death is the karma (action) that he performed in the past. Just as a man can take a lump of clay & shape it in any way he likes, we can mould our destiny by our actions

Upon hearing this, Gautami said: Yes! This is the actual fact! My child has died as the result of his past sins. Similarly, it is due to my past actions that I am now experiencing the death of my dear son. Let the snake be released at once!

The hunter had finally become convinced & so he gave up his anger toward the serpent. The old lady also felt highly pleased in mind by hearing this fascinating debate. Kala, Mrtyu & the serpent were then granted permission to depart so that they could travel to their respective destinations

Bhima said: My dear Yudhisthira, you should also give up our grief. Your anguish is caused by falsely considering yourself to be the cause of the battle that took place at Kurukshetra.

Maharaja Yudhisthira became somewhat consoled by learning this story

Thoughts? #gameoflife