Mahabharata Wisdom Series: The burden of exile and Yudhishthira's pain

Saunaka's advice to Yudhishthira on life, change and pain on account of Pandavas' exile

Yudhishthira could not bear his subjects following him unto exile. It was not going to be easy for him and his brothers to feed, protect and nurture them during this harsh journey rife with danger. Though he could convince some of them to return, there were still others who insisted on staying with him come what may. He was overcome by this gesture and experiencing grief considering the massive change that occurred in their lives - all thanks to the fated game of dice!

It was at this juncture that the wise Saunaka says to Yudhishthira, "Grief and fears galore afflict everyone night and day, but affect only the ignorant. Wise men like you should never be affected by changes of circumstances that result in poverty, loss of home, kingdom or of one's kith and kin."

Saunaka went on to make Yudhishthira understand that the core reality - the truth of one's being - is unaffected by the ephemeral nature of wealth, youth, beauty and possession.

Deliverance comes by ending duality, the cause of our eternal conflicts. To read my blog post on duality and non-duality, click HERE

Yudhishthira believed that he was responsible and capable enough to bear the brunt of life's miseries. However, his family and people who looked up to him did not deserve this fate. Though his intentions are noble, he must also understand that this experience was necessary for them to experience the duality of victory and loss, whilst performing their dharma... their duty... and yet, learn the way of the realized - to be in the world and yet not bound by it.

The impermanence of life around us, the ceaseless change within and outside of us and the roller-coaster ride of emotions should not baffle us, lest we should undergo relentless imbalance and get deterred on the path of righteousness. Holding on and letting go - this tug of war is the very cause of most of our problems.

Later on in the epic, when Arjuna gets overwhelmed by attachment to his loved ones and a misplaced sense of righteousness, it set the stage for the Song of the Lord, The Bhagavad Gita. And Krishna advised Arjuna along the same lines.

Mahabharata Wisdom Series: Lessons from King Yayati's realization

The disillusionment of eternal youth and constant yearning!

Yayati says, "Dear son, sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence any more than fire is by pouring ghee in it. I had heard and read this, but till now I had not realized it. No object of desire - corn, gold, cattle or women - nothing can ever satisfy the desire of man. We can reach peace only by a mental poise beyond likes and dislikes. Such is the state of Brahman. Take back your youth and rule the kingdom wisely and well."

Life is ceaseless change from birth till death. Our weary minds enjoy the thrills and fears, the ups and downs of life until a moment comes when there is an unstoppable quest for that which is permanent and unaffected by change; where suffering ceases and peace is experienced. It takes severe austerities and even several lives to come to the realization of what truth is. Although the ancient scriptures reveal pearls of wisdom for our benefit, few ever muster the courage to exit the patterns of fallacy and ignorance and pursue that in the attainment of which, all pursuits come to an end.

To get valuable insights on how to end suffering, click HERE.

Mahabharata Wisdom Series: Gurus of young Devavratha

Who were Bhishma's preceptors and what important lessons did he learn from them?

1. From Parashurama:

Martial arts, weapons and warfare.

2. From Brihaspati:

Begin work only with the aim of ending it, else the work will drive you to your end.

3. From Shukracharya:

It is the outcome that determines if the work undertaken was right or wrong.

4. From Sage Vasishtha:

Man is like a bird whose wings are knowledge and action. Both are needed to fly towards excellence.
~ Education begets humility.
~ Humility makes one worthy.
~ True worth begets wealth/resources.
~ Wealth/resources aid in promoting righteous deeds and welfare.
~ Good deeds for welfare of self and others begets happiness.

Mahabharata Wisdom Series: 1 Code Saves 5 + 1

The one coded message that saved the 5 brothers (Pandavas) and their mother, Kunti - thanks to the alert and wise Vidura.

Vidura to Yudhishtra:

"One who understands his enemy can never be hurt.

One should know that there are sharp weapons, though not of steel, that could strike if one is not watchful.

What devours wood and straw can never reach a hole; after all, the jackal (or mouse) is able to emerge from many outlets underground.

The wanderer may ascertain the direction guided by the stars and survive with a firm mind."

Author's purport:

One who knows the enemy means one who doesn't let the enemy's sweet speech or behaviour conceal the true ulterior motives. Just because you worship or feed a snake, doesn't mean that it is not programmed to bite you.

The sharp weapons here could refer to the possibility where Duryodhana's henchmen could first stab them and then set the palace on fire. It could also be a possible reference to sharp and devious minds at play that may operate remotely from the shadows.

The reference to jackal or mouse was intended for Pandavas to escape via an underground route.

For this to happen, Vidura sent a trusted person to carve a subterranean tunnel for the Pandavas to escape. This was because Duryodhana's ally, Purochana, was instructed to wait for the dark half of the month and start the fire on the 14th day at midnight when everyone would be asleep.

Guided by stars is also a metaphorical reference for trusting one's destiny and well-wishers, adapt and survive tough challenges.

Mahabharata wisdom series: On sin and virtue

Sage Vyasa addresses Kunti:

"No virtuous person is strong enough to live in virtue at all times, nor is any sinner bad enough to exist in vice forever.

Life is a tangled web and there is nobody in the world who has not done both good and evil. 

Each and everyone has to bear the fruits of his/her actions. Do not grieve."

Kunti and her sons escape the wax palace that was arranged as per Duryodhana's conspiracy. Having traversed far and wide, exhausted and disheartened by the scheme of things, they encounter Sage Vyasa.

I believe that Vyasa deftly points out to the human nature of pointing fingers, judging actions, labelling people as a response to unfavourable treatment received from the other. None is spared from erring or the results thereof. If reflection is of comfort in any measure, one could attribute one's experiences to one's own karma (good or bad) coming to fruition and balancing itself out, or karma that is destined to fructify in future (impacting both the protagonist and the antagonist).

This vulnerability should all the more encourage us to remain humble, compassionate, empathetic, hopeful, non-resistant and graceful towards whatever happens to us - in the wisdom that time heals everything and nothing happens without a reason.

I'M BACK. Coming soon with a refreshing series of short 'n' sweet posts ~

Logged in after over a year! And voila, I am so pleased to receive more subscribers. I owe you a great deal, really. Welcome to this blogsite! It is going to get better in the coming months.

NEWS - I am penning 2 books in the coming months. Who knows, maybe a YouTube channel too :)
2020 definitely looks promising!

Stay tuned for some awesome wisdom short pieces on this blog... coming soon.