Mahabharata Unravelled II: Lessons Of Past That Influence Us Today

Mahabharata is more than a story of the past. It has extensive discourses on ethics, personal and social interaction, administration, jurisprudence, and related topics, in the form of conversations. Ami Ganatra highlights the most important lessons from the Dharma discourses found in the Mahabharata. Their teachings hold true even in current times, perhaps more so than ever. 

An Excerpt

Part 5 VyādhaGeetā

TheSermonofaMeat-Seller: Among the many interesting stories narrated by RishiMārkandeyatoYudhishthiraandthePāndavas during their stay in the forest, one such discourse deservesaspecialmention.Thisisthestoryofayoung BrāhminreceivinglessonsinthenuancesofDharma from quite unlikely teachers.

ALadyShowstheWay

Once there lived a Brāhmin named Kaushika. He was well known for his deep study of the Vedas along with all six Vedāngas¹ and the austerities he performed. One day, as he was sitting under a tree and studying,a bird defecated on his head.Furious, he cursed death upon the bird.In no time,the bird fell dead before him. His anger subsided on seeing thebirdlyinglifelessonthegroundandguiltgripped hisheart.‘What have I done? Engulfed with anger,I tookaninnocentlife,’helamented.Withthethought of the bird still in his mind,he went to get bhikshā² for his food in the village nearby.

He approached a house where he had received bhikshā before. The door was open. He called out loudly, ‘Bhavati bhikshām dehi—O lady, give me bhikshā.’ The lady of the house was washing dishes when she heard Kaushika at the door.‘Sure,I will,please waita little,’she replied.As soon as she completed her washingandputawaythedishes,herhusbandcame home for lunch.He was famished. The lady was a homemaker par excellence. She wasfullydevotedtoherroleasthenourisherand caretaker of everyone in the family. When she saw her husband, as was her routine, the lady started making arrangements for his lunch.That Kaushika was waiting outside for bhikshā completely slipped her mind. It was only after she had served food to her husband that she remembered about Kaushika. A little embarrassed, she hurried to the door with the bhikshā for the Brāhmin.Kaushika had become restless by then,standing and waiting at the door.

‘Whatkindofbehaviouristhis?Whydidyou askmetowaitifyouweregoingtobethislate?You should have just asked me to leave,’he admonished rather angrily. ‘Forgive me, Sir, my husband and family have alwaysbeenmyforemostpriority.Myhusbandcame home and was extremely hungry, and I got busy attending to him. I completely forgot that I had asked you to wait. Hence, the unfortunate delay in attending to you,’the lady responded calmly,with a tone of genuine regret. ‘What? You got so busy serving your husband that you forgot about me? Is your husband’s stature greater than that of a Brāhmin? Do you not know how to respect Brāhmins? Have you not heardhow powerful Brāhmins are? Even Indra bows down before us,’said Kaushika,fury and arrogance palpable in his voice. ‘Sir,Iamnotabirdwhowillfalldeadliketheone that was killed because you looked at it angrily.Let go of your anger. It will do nothing to me. I know BrāhminswellandIalsorespectthem.Iamawareof theirangerandoftheircompassion.Ireallyregretthat

Imadeyouwaitandforthat,Iseekyourforgiveness, even though hurting you was not my intention,’ asserted the lady with her composure intact. Thentheladycontinuedwithherwisewords:

Thisangerisoneofthebiggestenemiesofhumans. Onlythosewhohavecontrolledtheirangerandgreed areconsideredBrāhminsbythewise.Apersonwho always speaks the truth, devotedly serves his guru, shows restraint even in a situation of aggression, has gained control over his senses and mind,shows compassion towards all—humans, animals and all other living beings—is indeed a Brāhmin. Iamahomemaker.Nothingelsetakesprecedence formethanlookingafterthewelfareofmyhusband andmyfamily,noteventhegods.Thatismypriority, my responsibility and my Dharma, and I work committedlytolivebymyDharmatothebestofmy abilities.

The result of my unflinching commitment to my Dharma is here for you to see—although I wasn’t there when the bird died due to your fury,I know about the incident. The wise insist that Dharma stands on truth and forthrightness. Some suggest that Vedas are the ultimate source of Dharma.Nonetheless,subtle are the ways of Dharma. Understanding the nature of Dharmawithallitsnuancesisnoteasynorpossible for everyone. Sir,youhavestudiedthescripturesdeeplyandyou practise austerities that they prescribe. However, I think you do not yet understand Dharma in its true essence.If you wish to learn about it,I suggest you go to the city of Mithilā and seek an audience withameat-sellernamedDharmavyādhawhoresides there.He is known to have achieved control over his senses. He serves his parents with devoutness and adherestotruth. Hewillcertainlyguideyou. May you be blessed. And please do pardon me if I have said or done anything that was not appropriate.A person of virtue and learning knows the scriptural injunction that women are अवध्(not to be killed or dishonoured).

Bythetimetheladyconcludedhereruditeresponse, Kaushika’sanger had subsided.‘Dear lady,your words areincisiveandholdalotofmerit.Iunderstandwell thattheywillhelpmyself-growth.Yourconduct is exemplary and I will do as you say. May you be blessed,’he replied graciously. He took the bhikshā andleft,feelingalittlemortifiedathisownignorance and impulsiveness.