Marvellous Mahābhārata Morals - III

Control of Desires

Desire is paramount for progress in any field. It is the driving force that leads one to attain heights of profound duty and glory. The desire of Śrī Kṛṣṇa to establish righteousness made him the charioteer of Arjuna and lead the Pāndavas to victory. The desire of Eklavya to become a skillful archer made him even better than Arjuna. The desire for the throne of Hastināpur kept Dhritrāśtra always blind to the wickedness of his beloved son Duryodhana. Hence, desire is the force that drives one to righteousness or unrighteousness. Desire if controlled, leads to Dharma and uncontrolled desires lead to Adharma. Eklavya had controlled desires and thus willingly offered his right thumb as gurudakshinā to Dronācharya. Arjuna had controlled desires and thus always followed the instructions of Śrī Kṛṣṇa thereby winning the war.

Bhīśma is a towering example of how desires can be controlled by his rigorous, faithful, and awe-inspiring practice of celibacy until his last breath. Yet, his desire of keeping the throne of Hastinapur unharmed, binds him to Duryodhana, the crown prince, and although unwilling, he has to participate in the war from the side of Adharma. When he is lying on his bed of arrows and upon the request of Yudhiśṭira, he explains to him the meaning of Dharma and how a king should rule justly and wisely according to the principles of righteousness and truth. Bhīśma explains how uncontrolled desires bring anger, which bring self-delusions, and in turn bring destruction. Desires have to be reined in as per the dictates of Dharma, only then can truth shine, and victory is achieved. Desires fuelled by Adharma lead to frustrations, anger, self-delusions and destruction.