CONTENTS:
- SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3.1.7-8 (PART - 2)
- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
- GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
1. SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 3.1.7-8 (PART - 2)
There are two sides the good side and the bad side. Duryodhana is representing the bad side and the Pandavas are representing the good side. In Mahabharata this has been described very wonderfully that how Duryodhana was actually supported by the demons. At one-point Duryodhana was determined to give up his life when the Gandharvas arrested Duryodhana along with his entourage, soldiers, wives and supporters. Arjuna along with Bhima, Nalkula and Sahadeva defeated the Gandharvas and rescued them. It was such an insult to Duryodhana that he decided to give up his life. He told Karna that he was going to give up his life as it was pointless now being alive, such an infamy. Duryodhana went with his soldiers in the forest to harass the Pandavas when they were in exile but on the way, they were attacked by these Gandharvas.
Karna was such a great warrior and he ran away, he was defeated by the Gandharvas and they arrested Duryodhana along with his army and associates and they were taking them in captive. Some of the soldiers who escaped they went and reported to Yudhisthira Maharaja and at that time Bhima said it’s good that they have been defeated and arrested by the Gandharvas. Yudhisthira Maharaja told Arjuna and Bhima to rescue their brothers and Bhima was completely against that idea and Yudhisthira Maharaja said a very wonderful thing, “Bhima, when it is between us, we are five and they are hundred but when it is with outsiders then we are hundred and five. When we are dealing with others then we are one family” Duryodhana was rescued by Arjuna and the Gandharva King was a friend of Arjuna and he told Arjuna what happened.
The Gandharva King: “You know these rascals what they are doing, they are going to attack, harass and torment you so don’t show them any mercy.” Arjuna: “After all they are family members and any disgrace to them will reflect on the entire family. If their women are insulted it is a disgrace to our family.” That showed the greatness of Arjuna and the meanness of Duryodhana. Duryodhana also had some nobility, he was so insulted and felt so bad and insulted and decided to give up his life. He told Duhsasana to become the prince successor to the throne and wanted to give up his body. He would fast till death. Karna and Duhsasana persuaded but did not succeed. The demons actually came, the demons headed by Sukracharya, they admitted to Duryodhana, “You are our only hope.” We can see that the bad people are ultimately provoked by the demons.
Demons are not just characters from a fairy tale, demons are there and live in the lower regions of the universe and they admitted that “the shelter of the demigods are the Pandavas but you are our only shelter Duryodhana so please don’t give up your life.” They assured him that there will be a battle and Arjuna will die, Pandavas will die and he would become the king and so forth. Maybe astrologically that was the case but again astrology brings doubt when Krishna comes into the picture. Things maybe destined to happen in a certain way but Krishna comes into the picture then everything changes because Krishna is the Supreme Controller. Although the demons were definite and that’s why Duryodhana was so determined to get into the fight because he heard the prediction and he also saw materially they are so much more powerful than the Pandavas and there was no way the Pandavas could win so they were determined to fight. There was so much persuasion but they were determined to fight. That brings us back to Mahabharata again, should we go to Mahabharata?
The other day we read up to some part this is chapter fourteen describing Duryodhana’s anger? Let’s read, “Krishna came as a messenger to bring peace among these two descending parties but Duryodhana would not listen. Krishna gave so many good advises but Duryodhana had listened to all his speeches at last he turned his eyes towards Krishna and spoke as follows:
Duryodhana: “Krishna you have been talking all this while to me, you talk as if all the blame is to be placed on my shoulders. I have been watching your gracious self, my father, my grandfather, my Acharya and Vidura, all of you seem to think that I am to be blamed for everything that has happened. I do not see what I have done to deserve this. I have really tried to see but cannot find that I am in the wrong. Let me tell you, Yudhisthira played the game of dice willingly with my uncle and lost his kingdom to Shakuni and how is it that I am blamed for that? It is not my fault that he played a bad game! You must have heard that I returned the kingdom and everything else to Yudhisthira immediately is it my fault that he lost it all again in the second game that was played? They lost and went to the forest according to the conditions. They are now thinking up many reasons to blame me for their foolishness. Now they have joined the Panchalas and collected an army, they are trying to pick a quarrel with me.
We have not hurt them in any way, there is no reason for them to have this war as they have declared on us and as for us, we cannot be frightened even if Indra comes to fight with us, we are not scared of him. We will not bow down to him in fear. I cannot see anyone strong enough to defeat us in battle. Bhisma, Drona, Kripa and Radheya are on my side and no one can face them in battle. I am only following the dharma of a Ksatriya in preparing to fight with those who are quarrelling with us for no reason at all. If I have to, I will die on the battlefield hurt by arrows or will make them sleep on a bed of arrows. The dharma of a man who is Ksatriya is just that if we are killed in a battle, we reach heaven and if death embraces us in the battle and if we are able to die without bowing our head down in front of the enemies why, that is more than enough. We will not be sorry to die. Which man born of a Ksatriya woman will give place of fear in his heart will be frightened by the enemy and accept that he is afraid? Who will be false in his noble birth by bowing in front of the enemy with the hope of serving his life? The rules set down for the prince is this: He should always be upright, he should stand erect, and he is a man only if he acts.
A Ksatriya should never bend, he should prefer to break rather than bend. I have always lived like a king. I have bowed my head down but that is only to my elders who deserve respect. I have never bent my head down to anyone, never. This is the rule for the Ksatriya and this is the rule I have followed for myself always. I will never swerve from my dharma. This kingdom called Indraprasta, my father gave it to them in the olden day, I know it, I admit it but that will never be restored to them not as long as I am alive. So long as my father this King Dhrtarastra is alive the Pandavas and ourselves must leave our weapons in the seas and live as his dependents. When Indaprasta was given to Yudhisthira, I was a dependent child and was not old enough to be consulted. It was given away to them either in ignorance or in fear I do not know but now that kingdom will never be returned to them not as long as I am alive. Krishna remembers these words of mine, note them carefully not even land which can be covered by the tip of a sharp needle will be surrendered to the Pandavas by us.”
Krishna laughed a strange laugh; it expressed contempt and a great pity for Duryodhana. It was tinged with anger and sorrow; it made the entire assembly tremble with an unknown fear. They had not heard this laughter of Krishna, they have seen His smile, they had seen Him frown, they had seen His face grave and serious, they had seen so many different expressions in the mobile features of Krishna but this strange laughter struck terror in the hearts of everyone. Krishna got up suddenly from His jewelled seat His eyes were crimson with fury still His smile, that strange smile as if saying, “Duryodhana, your simple desire a bed on the field of battle, and so be it. You will get what you want. You have always got what you wanted. In a few days you will meet a great slaughter and you will meet your death which you seem to love so much. You and your dear advisors will all get what they desire. You say that you have not in the least offended the Pandavas, you dare to say that in the assembly of wise people who have been familiar with every scene of yours.
Let the wise ones hear and decide for themselves whether your words are true or false. Burning with jealously at the prosperity of the Pandavas you and your uncle Shakuni played a game of dice with the noble minded Yudhisthira how can that good man wins in this treacherous and infamous game played by your evil-minded uncle. This game is known to rob man of clear thinking. It is the cause of dissension between those who are fond of each other. Such a game you played to deprive them of their belongings yet you say that you did them no wrong? Which good man will insult the wife of his brother with the words you spoke. These men here these I see were sitting in that assembly to. They have also heard the words you spoke. You had Draupadi dragged to your sinful court by this brother of yours. She is dearer to the Pandavas than their lives all of them were silent then, they did not speak a word then since Yudhisthira would not let it be known that the Pandavas overstepped the path of dharma, all these elders were present when you spoke insulting words to the Pandavas.
When they were sent out to the forest in exile which good man will behave to his own people as you have done? You, your brother Duhsasana and your friend Radheya spoke words which cannot be forgotten in a hurry. They were such terrible words. When the Pandavas were children, you attempted to have them burnt with their mother in Varnavat, this attempt of yours was not successful but that does not mean that no one knows about it. The whole world knows about it. The Pandavas had to live in hiding for a year in a city called Ekachakra in the house of a Brahmana, they had to beg for a living. You have often tried to kill Bhima with poison with serpents and a thousand different ways. Your attempts have all failed. You have done all this and yet you say that you have not offended the Pandavas. You refused to give them their birth right and will do it only when you are forced to do it. You will fall from this secure position and you will be parted from your wealth and your kingdom. You have behaved most heartlessly towards my friends. You have the audacity to tell me that you have not done anything! You have taken leave of your discerning power or else how is it that you have chosen war when the advantages of peace are so many. I find that you are the most sinful man on the face of this earth, you disgust me!”
Duhsasana said, “It looks as if these Kuru elders will bind you up hand and foot and hand you over to Krishna. They forcing you to make peace with Yudhisthira. This grandfather of ours, Drona, our father and of course Vidura assured to bind you up and me and Radheya and give us up to Yudhisthira.” Duryodhana heard these words of his brother and angry like a serpent Duryodhana sighed in fury and stood up suddenly. He paused for a moment and he walked out of the great hall. He did not care for any of the great men who had assembled there. He passed them all without even bothering to look at them, he passed Krishna with his head held high. He strode away from the hall like lion walking pass the lesser animals. His pride was great, his arrogance was even greater. His ego was incurable, he could not submit to anyone, he would not listen to anyone, he would not sit anymore in the court which had dared to pass the judgment on him, the great Kurava monarch with him walked out all his brothers, his councillors and all the kings to and the hall was emptying itself rapidly.
Bhisma was watching the exit of Duryodhana and all his followers, he was sorry for this unfortunate grandson of his. He was angry to. He said: “Krishna, I can see that their hour has come. I tried to avoid it but it is not possible. This man is doomed, the Ksatriya clan is doomed, the time is ripe, and they will all have to die.” Krishna looked at all of them and said: “I blame all of you for this. You are all guilty, you should have bound up this sinner long ago and kept him in captivity. The time has come when you should do it. I am saying this for your own good. When my uncle Kamsa was harassing everyone, I killed him. I wanted to save the name of the family I do not think I did wrong in killing my uncle. Please bind up these four men Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Radheya and Shakuni. Give them up to the noble Pandavas. The wise say that for the sake of the family one can be abandoned; for the sake of the village a family can be abandoned; for the sake of the community a village can be abandoned; for the sake of saving one’s own soul everything should be abandoned. This is the only way to save the Ksatriyas from death. I hope you will all listen to me and do what I suggest.”
Dhrtarastra heard the angry words of Krishna he spoke to the wise and gentle Vidura, he said, “Go my child and bring Gandhari to the court, with her I will try to coax my son. She may be able to point out the right path to him. If she can do it we may be able to avert the great danger that is threatening us.” Vidura went at once and brought the noble queen to the court which was almost empty. Gandhari was wise and far seeing, she knew the difference between right and wrong. She was a great woman. Dhrtarastra spoke to her, he said, “Gandhari, your son has gone too far in the path of sin he does not pay heed to the words of anyone. He has left the court without any regard for anyone here. Gandhari heard the words of her husband and she said, “Vidura, bring my son to the court.” She then spoke to her husband, “This kingdom does not deserve to be ruled by a man who is full of avarice. My son Duryodhana is full of avarice but my Lord you more than my son have to be censored for this unfortunate happening. In the extreme love you have for your son you have been unheeding to the rules of conduct. Knowingly and willingly, you have accompanied him in the path of sin.
He has been possessed by greed and pride; you cannot control him know it is now too late. In spite of my warning words, you made him the ruler of the kingdom. You are now reaping the fruits of your own foolishness. You have not shared the affection towards your kinsman. Which great king has shown differential between two relatives only you?” Duryodhana entered the court since he had been summoned by his mother. His eyes were still red and blazing with wrath. Gandhari spoke to him and said, “My dear son, listen to my words, I want you to be happy. It is not easy to be the king of a great land like the Kuru land. You must be fit for it. A man who has these qualities avarice and pride cannot rule a kingdom. A man should have all his senses under control if he is to rule a kingdom. You are ill fitted to be a king. You have not conquered self how can you conquer your enemies? You must consider your weaknesses as your foremost enemies. It is only after subduing them you can think of subduing others. Come to me and sit by my side.
I am your greatest friend and a friend is one who is really interested in the welfare of his friend. I am fond of you, I have brought you in this world, when you were born there were several ill omens but I thought that all that was of no importance since I could not dream that a son born of me could ever think of sin. Evidently, I was wrong you seem to be the cause of a great calamity. Please stop it, listen to the words of all of us. You think that Bhisma, Drona and your Radheya will be able to defeat the Pandavas. Do not be foolish! Think of Krishna and Arjuna, they are Nara and Narayana, they have dharma on their side and where there is dharma there will be victory. There are here to kill all of you, listen to my words and be happy. Dhrtarastra once again tried to join his wife’s plea, Duryodhana was standing with a frown on his face, and he was listening and at the same time not listening to his mother. Without even a word he turned his face away from all of them and walked out of the court. The greatest drama.
Thank you. Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
2. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question in audible
A: It is said that sometimes in the scriptures there are contradictions but we have to understand that these contradictions are due to kalpa beda. You see it did not happen only once time moves in cycle and in each day of Brahma Krishna comes, Krishna performs His pastimes with the Pandavas and the same thing happens but there are certain changes here and there. In some kalpa it happened in a certain way and that has been recorded and in some other kalpa it happened in some other way and that is recorded in some other scripture. This has been described like every day you day goes on in the same way, you get up in the morning, brush your teeth, take your bath, come to mangal aarti, chant your rounds, come to Bhagavatam class, then go to office, then come home. Although it seems that every day goes like that is every day the same? No every day is different. Although the routine looks the same but it’s different. Also, Krishna’s different pastimes in different kalpas, there are some little changes here and there. We must understand that these contradictions are due to kalpa beda.
Question inaudible
A: The other day I was reading Krishna dharma Prabhu’s Mahabharata. Only when I started to read did I realise that I was going through the same anecdote. There is some translation differences but I decided to read this one because it is more easily flowing. What really matters is whether you understand the happening not the language.
Question inaudible
A: In the royal court there are certain code of conduct, principles that no one in the kingdom can go against the king. Whatever the king decides everyone must follow. Although Bhisma is such a noble personality, we find that he is not protesting and is joining the battle against the Pandavas because he is a part of the kingdom and as a part of the kingdom he could not go against the king. It will become a great treachery and revolting against the king and to be a rebel against the king is the most heinous crime.
Question inaudible
A: There are great devotees of Krishna but the greatness also has different levels. There is karma misra bhakta, jnana misra bhakta and there is suddha bhakta a pure devotee. Bhisma was a jnana misra bhakta. He was not a pure devotee. He considered the different aspects of astrology but a pure devotee would not consider that, he would just surrender to Krishna and dependence on Krishna is most important.
Question inaudible
A: We have to consider a devotee is constantly changing, improving. For example, it’s not that a pure devotee is born a pure devotee from birth, there are like Sukadeva Goswami but there are other considerations. Imperfect platform they coming to the platform of perfection. These acts of Bhisma not standing up for Draupadi is not an act of a pure devotee, a pure devotee would have done that. Siding with the Kauravas against the Pandavas when Krishna is siding with the Pandavas is not an act of a pure devotee. These acts of Bhisma were not acts of a pure devotee but then he became pure. In this aspect there is one anecdote. When Bhisma was lying on the bed of arrows and instructing Yudhisthira Maharaja in dharma then Draupadi was smiling and Bhisma noticed and questioned her as to why she was smiling. Draupadi asked him where his wisdom was when she was being insulted in front of him in that assembly. Bhisma said because he was eating the food of Duryodhana his consciousness was affected but all the bad blood was drained out of his body now so his consciousness was clear. We can see how great devotee can be infected by impure food and that is why we have to be careful of what we eat. Ultimately chanting of the holy name is all purifying.
Question inaudible
A: A Vaishnava should not be judged by his past deeds.
3. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
So, always remember that cooperation amongst devotees is the most important thing. How you cooperate with each other that will be the real sign of our love for Srila Prabhupada.
4. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
Holy name alone is sufficient to take you back home back to godhead. However, to cultivate the mood of surrender You need a Guru.
(The content of this E-magazine is based on a lecture given by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami in ISKCON Ujjain on 19 March 2008)
(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Devi Dasi)