Marvellous Mahābhārata Morals - VI

Courage to bear pain and sorrow

The Mahābhārata skillfully shows how to courageously bear pain and sorrow, in order to rise above both. As gold is made only after it has gone through intense heat, similarly human beings are perfected only after they have gone through intense pain and sorrow. However, if pain and sorrow is not borne with courage and fortitude, then it festers and rots the mind with jealousy, anger, and frustrates the senses into doing evil and wicked acts. Due to his blindness, Dhritrāśtra could not become King of Hastināpura, although he was the eldest son. This pained Dhritrāśtra and he was forever jealous of his younger brother Pāndu, who was made the king. Dhritrāśtra could not bear this pain courageously. Thus, he was seized with anger and jealousy for the Pāndavas. His pain was imbibed in Duryodhana and his other sons, who all remained enemies of the Pāndavas from the very beginning. However, on the other hand, the Pāndavas were also subject to numerous griefs, but they came through all the pains, because they bore them with courage and always remained on the path of Dharma. Duryodhana had them burned alive in a palace made of lac and other inflammable materials. Due to Vidura's intelligence, they escaped through a tunnel, unhurt. Thereafter, they spent many years in the forest and suffered many unsavory events. However, in the end, due to their faith in Dharma they rose above all their trials and tribulations.

At the beginning of the battle, Arjuna is overcome with grief when he sees his brothers, relatives, and teachers on both sides. In despondency, his Gāndiva (bow) drops from his hand and he sits down in his chariot unable to fight. At this time, Śrī Kṛṣṇa delivers his heavenly discourse, the song celestial - "Bhagavat Gita", which raises Arjuna from his grief and he resolves to fight. At the end of Mahābhārata, Yudhiśṭira is again grieved and wishes to resort to a fast unto death, as he felt that principally he was responsible for this great tragedy. Riśī Veda Vyāsa consoles Yudhiśṭira that old age and death shadows an individual from the very moment of birth. These were the facts of life and hence there was no reason to grieve. The relatives, teachers, and friends had all taken part in a just war and their deaths came due to their own karmas (actions), and in no way can Yudhiśṭira be held responsible for this tragedy. Sorrow and joy are bound to alternate in life, and one should always remain on the path of Dharma under all circumstances. Riśī Veda Vyāsa told Yudhiśṭira to let go of his grief and rule the kingdom as per the dictates of Dharma and Satya.