While reading Book 5, I also
realized that every time someone leaves town, he (or they) is followed by the
hosts for a short distance before the final “good-bye” is said. We read this in
Ramayana when Rama leaves for his 14 year life in the forests. I remember
reading such an episode in Kalidasa when
he describes Shakuntala leaving with her son to Dushyanta’s country.
In Book 5, Section 81/82, we are
told about all the lavish preparations Dhritrashtra makes for Krishna’s arrival
as an envoy of the Pandavas to make peace. Vidura tells
Dhritrashtra that he is wasting his time. Vidura points out that they are
insincere gestures made to show off his wealth and to impress his guest.
Instead what Dhritrashtra has to do is to listen to Krishna and control his
son, Duryodana.
There are several teachings by
Krishna and Vidura during the unfolding of events before the war at
Kurukshetra. Kurukshetra is still there in India on our way to Chandigarh from
Delhi. All indications are that this big town is located in a vast area
mentioned in Mahabharta, occupying several square miles.
Krishna tells Vidura that he will
not give up virtue (dharma) for the
sake of desire, due to anger, for the sake of argument or personal gains or out
of temptation. Vidura tells Krishna that talking to the Kauravas is a waste of
time – “it is like singing to a deaf person”. Krishna then tells Vidura: “ I am
aware of the intentions of Duryodhana and his followers. But, even when one
knows that one’s efforts may end in failure, one should do what is right to the
best of one’s abilities. I wish to bring peace between the brothers. If I fail,
the world will know that we tried our best to avoid war and people will not
blame the Pandavas”.
There are stories after stories as
part of the advice given by the elders to Duryodhana not to go to war. The
story of Garuda is to teach that pride is not worthy of a good king. The story
of Gavala is to teach that being obstinate can lead one into trouble.
In Book 5, Section 124, in the midst
of a rambling story about Yayati and how his pride got him thrown out of the
celestial sphere, there is a story of Yayati’s grandsons through his daughter.
They saved him from the hell of put
to which elders without male heirs go to. In other words, the sons of daughters
are also important in some of the ancestral ceremonies.
Later, when advising Duryodhana,
Krishna tells him that virtuous people are always associated with dharma, artha and kama – virtue, profit
(wealth) and desired objects. Those of middling character go for dharma and artha. Lowest class go after
desired objects (artha) only and let
go of virtue. Wealth and desire should not be dissociated from virtue.
In Section 129, Gandhari is advising
Durydhana. Two interesting points: She says that before one can get control of
a kingdom and of one’s friends, one has to develop self-control and follow the
dictates of virtue. The other is to point out that Bhishma, Drona and others on
whose prowess Duryodhana depends, may fight on his side out of loyalty but
their full energy will not be there. She says: “ Bhishma and others will not be
able to glance an angry look at the Pandavas”.
Psychologically this is an important point. Sometimes, anger is the
driving energy for success.
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