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DHARMRAJ YUDHISTIR’S RELIGIOSITY

 

    When, Maharaja Yudhistir came to know that Sri Krishna has ended his jeewan–leela. And, post that Yadav’s too, have undergone self-destruction, because of infighting. He decided to coronate Arjun’s grandson Parikshit as the king of Hastinapur and head for sanyas. Keeping the difficult decision in mind he started preparing for it. To begin with he decided to give up the prestigious and coveted king’s costume and its jewelry. Following, which, he decided to enter into a maun-vrat and unlock his hair. Finally, he entered into veer-sanyas and left his Raj Bhawan and started walking towards the north. When, his brothers and even his wife Draupadi started following him.

    Yudhistir’s decision to renounce the world and it’s so called—moh-maya created ripples in his own mind. As a result of which, he stopped eating food and drinking water. He even stopped resting his body and mind and refrained from looking at anyone, in the eye. And, decided to keep moving without stopping anywhere. Until, he crossed Badrinath in the Himalayas. Where, his brothers and even his queen Draupadi were pacing up with him.

        After crossing Satyapath, Yudhistir entered the divine land of Swarga-rohan. But by now his brothers and his queen were extremely exhausted and they fell sick. Soon Draupadi, Nakul, Sahdev and even Arjun—they all fainted one by one and fell on the ground. The weather was freezing in Himalayas. So they couldn’t revive themselves and soon attained Him-Samadhi. Thereafter, the divine powers of the holy land sent them to Swarg where they attained moksha. But even these stupendous calamities, couldn’t stop Yudhistir. As, he was continuously moving, and never looked back even to catch a glimpse of his brothers and his wife. He was now bereft of rag-dwesh. In the end even Bhimsen, the strongest out of them, also collapsed and went into Him-Samadhi.

    When, Yudhistir was about to reach the top most mount of Swarga-rohan. He was not alone, in spite of the fact, that his brothers and his wife Draupadi, had entered into Him-Samadhi on the way. As, there was a dog, that was continuously following him, right from Hastinapur. When, Yudhistir finally reached the mount. Devraj Indra sat in his viman and descended on earth to meet him. He welcomed him and said—‘you’re the epitome of Dharma. So the swarg belongs to you. Please sit in my viman. So, that, I can take you there.’

    When, Yudhistir asked about his brothers and his wife Draupadi and requested, they too, be taken to swarg. Devraj replied—‘they have already reached.’

    Yudhistir then made another request—‘can we take this dog also in this viman.’

    Indra replied—‘you being the quintessential of dharma. Why do you talk like a novice? How can a dog enter swarg? Isn’t it enough that this desecrated being has had my darshan.’

    Yudhistir, wasn’t convinced by Indra’s logic. So he said—‘but the poor dog is dependent on me. Because of my devotion he has followed me all the way from Hastinapur. To renounce a living being that is dependent on you is adharma. So, deserting this dependent is not acceptable to me. And without him, I’m not willing to enter swarg.’

        Indra tried to counsel Yudhistir again—‘Rajan! You attain swarg only with the fruits of punya. Had this dog been a punyatma. He wouldn’t have been born as a dog.’

    Yudhistir politely said—‘God if that is the case. Then, I would like to donate half my punya to this dog.’

    ‘Dhanya ho, dhanya ho Yudhistir! I am very happy with you. And discarding the dog’s form, the Dharm-Devta appeared in front of him and blessed him.

    Moral of the story: Think thousand times, before you abandon someone who is dependent on you.

    Story is from Mahabharat

GLOSSARY

• Maharaja—Great king
• Jeewan-Leela—mortal role
• Sanyas—life stage of renunciation within the Hindu philosophy
• Maun-vrat—avow to remain silent
• Veer-sanyas—renunciation from exercising strength
• Raj-bhawan—official residence of king
• Moh-maya—all things in the world are not real; they are fallacy, a presumed reality of the world held by people.’
• Dharmacharn—good virtues
• Him-Samadhi—meditative trance
• Swarg—Heaven
• Moksha—released from the cycle of rebirth
• Rag-Dwesh—love and hate
• Viman—mythological flying palace or chariot described in Hindu texts
• Dharma—eternal law of cosmos
• Darshan—divine audicience
• Adharma—going against the law of cosmos
• Punyatma—blessed soul
• Dhanya ho—be blessed
• Dharm Devta–God

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                      https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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