CULTURAL QA 04202407 Q5 How would you justify Bhima torturing Gandhari and Dritarastra after the Kurukshetra War for more than 15 years?
KR Fifteen years passed in tranquillity since Yudhishthira became king. One day Dhritarashtra and Gandhari overheard Bhima boasting of his prowess and how he had killed all the hundred Kauravas brothers. While Gandhari was generous enough to brush aside Bhima’s remarks, Dhritarashtra became very sad. He was reminded of his own role in bringing about the war. He decided to retire to the forest and take to penance.Yudhishthira pleaded against Dhritarashtra proceeding to the forest. But Vyasa who was present at Hastinapura persuaded Yudhishthira to let his uncle have his way. Gandhari, Kunti, Vidura and Sanjaya also insisted on accompanying Dhritarashtra. The Mahabharata Book 15: Asramavasika ParvaKisari Mohan Ganguli, 15.1: Pandu's son, collected costly robes and garlands of diverse kinds and duly offered them to Dhritarashtra. Maireya wines, fish of various kinds, and sherbets and honey, and many delightful kinds of food prepared by modifications (of diverse articles), were caused to be made for the old king as in his days of prosperity. Those kings of Earth who came there one after another, all used to wait upon the old Kuru monarch as before. Kunti, and Draupadi, and she of the Sattwata race, possessed of great fame, and Ulupi, the daughter of the snake chief, and queen Chitrangada, and the sister of Dhrishtaketu, and the daughter of Jarasandha,--these and many other ladies, O chief of men, used to wait upon the daughter of Suvala like maids of all work. That Dhritarashtra, who was deprived of all his children, might not feel unhappy in any matter, was what Yudhishthira often said unto his brothers to see. They also, on their part, listening to these commands of grave import from king Yudhishthira, showed particular obedience to the old king. There was one exception, however. It embraced Bhimasena. All that had followed from that match at dice which had been brought about by the wicked understanding of Dhritarashtra, did not disappear from the heart of that hero. (He remembered those incidents still)."' 15.2 Both Gandhari and Vidura also wore well pleased with the capacity the king Ajatasatru showed for bearing wrongs. They were, however, not so pleased, O slayer of foes, with Bhima. Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, was truly obedient to his uncle. Bhima, however, at the sight of Dhritarashtra, became very cheerless. That slayer of foes, seeing Dharma's son reverencing the old king, reverenced him outwardly with a very unwilling heart."' 15.3 Coming within their clasp, the foolish sons of Dhritarashtra have all met with destruction. Smeared with sandal-paste and deserving of that adornment are those two arms of mine by which Duryodhana has been despatched to the other world along with all his sons and kinsmen.' Hearing these and many other words, O king, of Vrikodara, that were veritable darts, king Dhritarashtra gave way to cheerlessness and sorrow. Queen Gandhari, however, who was conversant with every duty and possessed of great intelligence, and who knew what Time brings on its course, regarded them as untrue. After five and ten years had passed away, O monarch, king Dhritarashtra afflicted (constantly) by the wordy darts of Bhima, became penetrated with despair and grief. King Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, however, knew it not; nor Arjuna of white steeds, nor Kunti; nor Draupadi possessed of great fame; nor the twin sons of Madri, conversant with every duty and who were always engaged in acting after the wishes of Dhritarashtra. Employed in doing the behests of the king, the twins never said anything thatwas disagreeable to the old king. Then Dhritarashtra one day honoured his friends by his confidence. Addressing 'them with tearful eyes, He said these words.' "Dhritarashtra said, 'How the destruction of the Kurus has happened is well known to you. All that was brought about by my fault though the Kauravas approved of all my counsels. Fool that I was, I installed the wicked minded Duryodhana, that enhancer of the terrors of kinsmen, to rule over the Kurus. Vasudeva had said unto me, 'Let this sinful wretch of wicked understanding be killed along with all his friends and counsellors.' I did not listen to those words of grave import. All wisemen gave me the same beneficial advice. Vidura, and Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, said the same thing. The holy and high-souled Vyasa repeatedly said the same, as also Sanjaya and Gandhari. Overwhelmed, however, by filial affection, I could not follow that advice. Bitter repentance is now my lot for my neglect. I also repent for not having bestowed that blazing prosperity, derived from sires and grand sires, on the high-souled Pandavas possessed of every accomplishment. The eldest brother of Gada foresaw the destruction of all the kings; Janarddana, however, regarded that destruction as highly beneficial. 1 So many Anikas of troops, belonging tome, have been destroyed. Alas, my heart is pierced with thousands of darts in consequence of all these results. Of wicked understanding as I am, now after the lapse of five and ten years, I am seeking to expiate my sins. Now at the fourth division of the day or sometimes at the eighth division, with the regularity of a vow, I eat a little food for simply conquering my thirst. Gandhari knows this. All my attendants are under the impression that I eat as usual. Through fear of Yudhishthira alone I concealed my acts, for if the eldest son of Pandu came to know of my vow, he would feel great pain. Clad in deer-skin, I lie down on the Earth, spreading a small quantity of Kusa grass, and pass the time in silent recitations. Gandhari of great fame passes her time in the observance of similar vows. Even thus do we both behave, we that have lost a century of gong none of whom even retreated from battle. I do not, however, grieve for those children of mine. They have all died in the observance of Kshatriya duties.' Having said these words, the old king then addressed Yudhishthira in particular and said, 'Blessed be thou, O son of the princess of Yadu's race. Listen now to what I say. Cherished by thee, O son, I have lived these years very happily. I have (with thy help) made large gifts and performed Sraddhas repeatedly. 2 I have, O son, to the best of my power, achieved merit largely. This Gandhari, though destitute of sons, has lived with great fortitude, looking all the while at me. They whom inflicted great wrongs on Draupadi and robbed thee of thy affluence,--those cruel wights--have all left the world, slain in battle agreeably to the practice of their order.I have nothing to do for them, O delighter of the Kurus. Stain with theirfaces towards battle, they have attained to those regions which are for wielders of weapons. 1 I should now accomplish what is beneficial and meritorious for me as also for Gandhari. It behoveth thee, O great king, to grant me permission. Thou art the foremost of all righteous persons. Thou art always devoted to righteousness. The king is the preceptor of all creatures. It is for this that I say so. With thy permission, O hero, I shall retire into the woods, clad in rags and barks. O king, alone with this Gandhari, I shall live in the woods, always blessing thee. It is meet, O son, for the members of our race, to make over sovereignty, when old age comes, to children and lead the forest mode of life. Subsisting there on air alone, or abstaining from all food, I shall, with this wife of mine, O hero, practise severe austerities. Thou shalt be a sharer of these penances, O son, for thou art the king. Kings are sharers of both auspicious and inauspicious acts done in their kingdom.' 2 "Yudhishthira said, 'When thou, O king, art thus subject to grief, sovereignty does not please me at all. Fie on me that am of wicked understanding, devoted to the pleasures of rule, and utterly heedless of my true concerns. Alas, I, with all my brothers, was ignorant of thyself having so long been afflicted with grief, emaciated with fasts, abstaining from food, and lying on the bare ground. Alas, foolish that I am, I have been deceived by thee that hast deep intelligence, inasmuch as, having inspired me with confidence at first thou hast latterly undergone such grief. What need have I of kingdom or of articles of enjoyment, what need of sacrifices or of happiness, when thou, O king, hast undergone go much affliction? I regard my kingdom as a disease, and myself also as afflicted. Plunged though I am in sorrow, what, however, is the use of these words that I am addressing thee? Thou art our father, thou art our mother; thou art our foremost of superiors. Deprived of thy presence, how shall we live? O best of king, let Yuyutsu, the son of thy loins, be made king, or, indeed, anybody else whom thou mayst wish. I shall go into the woods. Do thou rule the kingdom. It behoveth thee not to burn me that am already burned by infamy. I am not the king. Thou art the king. I am dependent on thy will. How can I dare grant permission to thee that art my preceptor? O sinless one, I harbour no resentment in my heart on account of the wrongs done to us by Suyodhana. It was ordained that it should be so. Both ourselves and others were stupefied (by fate). We are thy children as Duryodhana and others were. My conviction is that Gandhari is as much my mother as Kunti. If thou, O king of kings, goest to the woods leaving me, I shall the, follow thee. I swear by my soul. This Earth, with her belt of seas, go full of wealth, will not be a source of joy to me when I am deprived of thy presence. All this belongs to thee. I gratify thee, bending my head. We are all dependent on thee, O king of kings. Let the fever of thy heart be dispelled. I think, O lord of Earth, that all this that has come upon thee is due to destiny. By good luck, I had thought, that waiting upon thee and executing thy commands obediently, I would rescue thee from the fever of thy heart.' "Dhritarashtra said, 'O delighter of the Kurus, my mind is fixed, O son, on penances. O puissant one, it is meet for our race that I should retire into the woods. I have lived long under thy protection, O son, I have for many years been served by thee with reverence. I am now old. It behoveth thee, O king, to grant me permission (to take up my abode in the woods).' "Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words unto king Yudhishthira, the just, king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, trembling the while and with hands joined together, further said unto the high-souled Sanjaya and the great car-warrior Kripa, these words, 'I wish to solicit the king through you. My mind has become cheerless, my mouth has become dry, through the weakness of age and the exertion of speaking.' Having said so, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, viz., the, righteous-souled old king, blessed with prosperity, leaned on Gandhari and suddenly looked like one deprived of life. Beholding him thus seated like one deprived of consciousness, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the royal son of Kunti, became penetrated by a poignant grief. "Yudhishthira said, 'Alas, he whose strength was equal to that of a hundred thousand elephants, alas, that king sitteth today, leaning on a woman. Alas! he by whom the iron image of Bhima on a former occasion wag reduced to fragments, leaneth today on a weak woman. Fie on me that am exceedingly unrighteous! Fie on my understanding! Fie on my knowledge of the scripture! Fie on me for whom this lord of Earth lieth today in a manner that is not becoming of him! I also shall fast even as my preceptor. Verily, I shall fast if this king and Gandhari of great fame abstain from food.' "Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandava king, conversant with every duty, using his own hand, then softly rubbed with cold water the breast and the face of the old monarch. At the touch of the king's hand which was auspicious and fragrant, and on which were jewels and medicinal herbs, Dhritarashtra regained his senses. 1 "Dhritarashtra said, 'Do thou again touch me, O son of Pandu, with thy hand, and do thou embrace me. O thou of eyes like lotus petals, I am restored to my senses through the auspicious touch of thy hand. O ruler of men, I desire to smell thy head. The clasp of thy arms is highly gratifying to me. This is the eighth division of the day and, therefore, the hour of taking my food. For not having taken my food, O child of Kuru's race, I am so weak as to be unable to move. In addressing my solicitations to thee, great hag been my exertion. Rendered cheerless by it, O son, I had fainted. O perpetuator of Kuru's race, I think that receiving the touch of thy hand, which resembles nectar in its vivifying effects I have been restored to my senses.' "Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed, O Bharata, by the eldest brother of his father, the son of Kunti, from affection, gently touched every part of his body. Regaining his life-breaths, king Dhritarashtra embraced the son of Pandu with his arms and smelled his head. Vidura and others wept aloud in great grief. In consequence, however, of the poignancy of their sorrow, they said nothing to either the old king or the son of Pandu. Gandhari, conversant with every duty, bore her sorrow with fortitude, and loaded as her heart was, O king, said nothing. The other ladies, Kunti among them, became greatly afflicted. They wept, shedding copious tears, and sat surrounding the old king. Then 'Dhritarashtra, once more addressing Yudhishthira, said these words, Do thou, O king, grant me permission to practise penances. By speaking repeatedly, O son, my mind becomes weakened. It behoveth thee not, O son, to afflict me after this.' When that foremost one of Kuru's race was saying go unto Yudhishthira, a loud sound of wailing arose from all the warriors there present. Beholding his royal father of great splendour, emaciated and pale, reduced to a state unbecoming of him, worn out with fasts, and looking like a skeleton covered with skin, Dharma's son Yudhishthira shed tears of grief and once more said these words. 'O foremost of men, I do not desire life and the Earth. O scorcher of foes, I shall employ myself in doing what is agreeable to thee. If I deserve thy favour, if I am dear to thee, do thou eat something. I shall then know what to do.' Endued with great energy, Dhritarashtra then said to Yudhishthira,--'I wish, O son, to take some food, with thy permission.' When Dhritarashtra said these words to Yudhishthira, Satyavati's son Vyasa came there and said as follows.` 15.4 "Vyasa said, 'O mighty-armed Yudhishthira, do without any scruple what Dhritarashtra of Kuru's race hag said. This king is old. He has, again, been made sonless. I think he will not be able to bear his grief long. The highly blessed Gandhari, possessed of great wisdom and endued with kindly speech, bears with fortitude her excessive grief owing to the logs of her song. I also tell thee (what the old king says). Do thou obey my words. Let the old king have thy permission. Let him not die an inglorious death at home. Let this king follow the path of all royal sages of old. Verily, for all royal sages, retirement into the woods comes at last.'" "Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed at that time by Vyasa of wonderful deeds, king Yudhishthira the just, possessed of mighty energy, said unto the great ascetic these words, 'Thy holy self is held by us in great reverence. Thou alone art our preceptor. Thou alone art the refuge of this our kingdom as also of our race. I am thy son. Thou, O holy one, art my father. Thou art our king, and thou art our preceptor. The son should, agreeably to every duty, be obedient to the commands of his sire.'"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the king. Vyasa, that foremost of poets, foremost of all persons conversant with the Vedas, endued with great energy once more said unto Yudhishthira these words, 'It is even so, O mighty-armed one. It is even as thou sayest, O Bharata. This king has reached old age. He is now in the last stage of life. Permitted both by me and thee, let this lord of Earth do what he proposes. Do not stand as an impediment in his way. Even this is the highest duty, O Yudhishthira, of royal sages. They should die either in battle or in the woods agreeably to the scriptures. Thy royal sire, Pandu, O king of kings, reverenced this old king as a disciple reverences his preceptor. (At that time) he adored the gods in many great sacrifices with profuse gifts consisting of hills of wealth and jewels, and ruled the Earth and protected his subjects wisely and well. Having obtained a large progeny and a swelling kingdom, he enjoyed great influence for thirteen years while you were in exile, and gave away much wealth. Thyself also, O chief of men, with thy servants, O sinless one, hast adored this king and the famous Gandhari with that ready obedience which. a disciple pays to his preceptor. Do thou grant permission to thy father. The time has come for him to attend to the practice of penances. He does not harbour, O Yudhishthira, even the slightest anger against any of you.' "Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words, Vyasa soothed the old king. Yudhishthira then answered him, saying, 'So be it.' The great ascetic then left the palace for proceeding to the woods. After the holy Vyasa had gone away, the royal son of Pandu softly said these words unto his old father, bending himself in humility,--What the holy Vyasa has said, what is thy own purpose, what the great bowman Kripa has said, what Vidura has expressed, and what has been asked for by Yuyutsu and Sanjaya, I shall accomplish with speed. All these are worthy of my respect, for all of them are well-wishers of our race. This, however, O king, I beg of thee by bending my head. Do thou first eat and afterwards go to thy forest retreat.'" 15.5 "Vaisampayana said, 'Having received the king's permission, king Dhritarashtra of great energy then proceeded to his own palace, followed by Gandhari. With weakened strength and slow motion, that king of great intelligence walked with difficulty, like the leader, worn out with age, of an elephantine herd. He was followed by Vidura of great learning, and his charioteer Sanjaya, as also that mighty bowman Kripa, the son of Saradwata. Entering his mansion, O king, he went through the morning rites and after gratifying many foremost of Brahmanas he took some food. Gandhari conversant with every duty, as also Kunti of great intelligence, worshipped with offers of various articles by their daughters-in-law, then took somefood, O Bharata. After Dhritarashtra had eaten, and Vidura also and others had done the same, the Pandavas, having finished their meals, approached and sat around the old king. Then the son of Amvika, O monarch, addressing Kunti's son who was seated near him and touching his back with his hand, said, 'Thou shouldst always, O delighter of the Kurus, act without heedlessness as regards everything connected with thy kingdom consisting of eight limbs, O foremost of rulers, and in which the claims of righteousness should ever be kept foremost. 1 Thou art possessed, O son of Kunti, of intelligence and learning. Listen to me, O king, as I tell thee what the means are by which, O son of Pandu, the kingdom is capable of being righteously protected. Thou shouldst always, O Yudhishthira, honour those persons that are old in learning. Thou shouldst listen to what they would say, and act accordingly without any scruple. Rising at dawn, O king, worship them with due rites, and when the time comes for action, thou shouldst consult them about thy (intended) acts. When, led by the desire of knowing what would be beneficial to thee in respect of thy measures, thou honourest them; they will, O son, always declare what is for thy good, O Bharata. Thou shouldst always keep thy senses, as thou keepest thy horses. They will then prove beneficial to thee, like wealth that is not wasted. Thou shouldst employ only such ministers as have passed the tests of honesty, (i.e., as are possessed of loyalty, disinterestedness, continence, and courage), as are hereditary officers of state, possessed of pure conduct, self-restrained, clever in the discharge of business, and endued with righteous conduct. Thou shouldst always collect information through spies in diverse disguises, whose faithfulness have been tasted, who are natives of thy kingdom, and who should not be known to thy foes. Thy citadel should be properly protected with strong walls and arched gates. On every side the walls, with watch-towers on them standing close to one another, should be such as to admit of six persons walking side by side on their top. 2 The gates should all be large and sufficiently strong. Kept in proper places those gates should be carefully guarded. Let thy purposes be accomplished through men whose families and conduct are well known. Thou shouldst always protect thy person also with care, in matters connected with thy food, O Bharata, as also in the hours of sport and eating and in matters connected with the garlands thou wearest and the beds thou liest upon. The ladies of thy household should be properly protected, looked over by aged and trusted servitors, of good behaviour, well-born, and possessed of learning, O Yudhishthira. Thou shouldst make ministers of Brahmanas possessed of learning, endued with humility, well-born, conversant with religion and wealth, and adorned with simplicity of behaviour. Thou shouldst hold consultations with them. Thou shouldst not, however, admit many persons into thy consultations. On particular occasions thou mayst consult with the whole of thy council or with a portion of it. Entering a chamber or spot that is well protected (from intruders) thou shouldst hold thy consultation. Thou mayst hold thy consultationn a forest that is divested of grass. Thou shouldst never consult at night time. 1 Apes and birds and other animals that can imitate human beings should all be excluded from the council chamber, as also idiots and lame and palsied individuals. I think that the evils that flow from the divulgence of the counsels of kings are such that they cannot be remedied. Thou shouldst repeatedly refer, in the midst of thy counsellors, to the evils that arise from the divulgence of counsels, O chastiser of foes, and to the merits that flow from counsels properly kept. Thou shouldst, O Yudhishthira, act in such a manner as to ascertain the merits and faults of the inhabitants of thy city and the provinces. Let thy laws, O king, be always administered by trusted judges placed in charge thereof, who should also be contented and of good behaviour. Their acts should also be ascertained by thee through spies. Let thy judicial officers, O Yudhishthira, inflict punishments, according to the law, on offenders after careful ascertainment of the gravity of the offences. They that are disposed to take bribes, they that are the violators of the chastity of other people's wives, they that inflict heavy punishments, they that are utterers of false speeches, they that are revilers, they that are stained by cupidity, they that are murderers, they that are doers of rash deeds, they that are disturbers of assemblies and the sports of others, and they that bring about a confusion of castes, should, agreeably to considerations of time and place, be punished with either fines or death. 2 In the morning thou shouldst see those that are employed in making thy disbursements. After that thou shouldst look to thy toilet and then to thy food. Thou shouldst next supervise thy forces, gladdening them on every occasion. Thy evenings should be set apart for envoys and spies. The latter end of the night should be devoted by thee to settle what acts should be done by thee in the day. Mid-nights and mid-days should be devoted to thy amusements and sports. At all times, however thou shouldst think of the means for accomplishing thy purposes. At the proper time, adorning thy person, thou shouldst sit prepared to make gifts in profusion. The turns for different acts, O son, ceaselessly revolve like wheels. Thou shouldst always exert thyself to fill thy treasuries of various kinds by lawful means. Thou shouldst avoid all unlawful means towards that end. Ascertaining through thy spies who thy foes are that are bent on finding out thy laches, thou shouldst, through trusted agents, cause them to be destroyed from a distance. Examining their conduct, thou shouldst O perpetuator of Kuru's race, appoint thy servants. Thou shouldst cause all thy acts to be accomplished through thy servitors: whether they are appointed for those acts or not. The commandant of thy forces should be of firm conduct, courageous, capable of bearing hardships, loyal, and devoted to thy good. Artisans and mechanics, O son of Pandu, dwelling in thy provinces, should always do thy acts like kine and asses. 1 Thou shouldst always, O Yudhishthira, be careful to ascertain thy own laches as also those of thy foes. The laches also of thy own men as also of the men of thy foes should equally be ascertained. Those men of thy kingdom, that are well skilled in their respective vocations, and are devoted to thy good, should be favoured by thee with adequate means of support. A wise king, O ruler of men, should always see that the accomplishments of his accomplished subjects might be kept up. They would then be firmly devoted to thee, seeing that they did not fall away from their skill.'" 15.9 It behoves you all to forget and forgive whatever injury has been done to you by those sons of mine that are no longer alive, or, indeed, by any one else belonging to me. Ye never harboured any wrath against me on any previous occasion. I join my hands before you who are distinguished for loyalty. Here, I bow to you all. Ye sinless one, I, with Gandhari by my side, solicit your pardon now for anything done to you by those sons of mine, of restless understandings, stained by cupidity, and ever acting as their desires prompted.' Thus addressed by the old monarch, all those citizens and inhabitants of the provinces, filled with tears, said nothing but only looked at one another."' 15.11 He will set out for the woods, O king, on the coming day of full moon of the month of Kartika. He now solicits from thee, O foremost one of Kuru's race, some wealth. He wishes to perform the Sraddha of the high-souled son of Ganga, as also of Drona and Somadatta and Valhika of great intelligence, and of all his sons as also of all well-wishers of his that have been slain, and, if thou permittest it, of that wicked-souled wight, viz., the ruler of the Sindhus.' 1 Hearing these words of Vidura, both Yudhishthira, and Pandit's son Arjuna of curly hair, became very glad and applauded them highly. Bhima, however, of great energy and unappeasable wrath, did not accept those words of Vidura in good spirits, recollecting the acts of Duryodhana. The diadem-decked Phalguna, understanding the thoughts of Bhimasena, slightly bending his face downwards, addressed that foremost of men in these words, 'O Bhima, our royal father who is advancing in years, has resolved to retire into the woods. He wishes to make gifts for advancing the happiness of his slain kinsmen and well-wishers now in the other world. O thou of Kuru's race, he wishes to give away wealth that belongs to thee by conquest. Indeed, O mighty-armed one, it is for Bhishma and others that the old king is desirous of making those gifts. It behoves thee to grant thy permission. By good luck it is, O thou of mighty arms that Dhritarashtra today begs wealth of us, he who was formerly begged by us. Behold the reverse brought about by Time. That king who was before the lord and protector of the whole Earth, now desires to go into the woods, his kinsmen and associates all slain by foes. O chief of men, let not thy views deviate from granting the permission asked for. O mighty-armed one, refusal, besides bringing infamy, will be productive d demerit. Do thou learn your duty in this matter from the king, thy eldest brother, who is lord of all. It becometh thee to give instead of refusing, O chief of Bharata's race. Vibhatsu who was saying so wag applauded by king Yudhishthira the just. Yielding to wrath, Bhimasena said these words, 'O Phalguna, it is we that shall make gifts in the matter of Bhishma's obsequies, as also of king Somadatta and of Bhurisravas, of the royal sage Valhika, and of the high-souled Drona, and of all others. Our mother Kunti shall make such obsequial offerings for Karna. O foremost of men, let not Dhritarashtra perform those Sraddhas. Even this is what I think. Let not our foes be gladdened. Let Duryodhana and others sink from a miserable to a more miserable position. Alas, it was those wretches of their race that caused the whole Earth to be exterminated. How hast thou been able to forget that anxiety of twelve long years, and our residence in deep incognito that was so painful to Draupadi? Where was Dhritarashtra's affection for us then? Clad in a black deer-skin and divested of all thy ornaments, with the princess of Panchala in thy company, didst thou not follow this king? Where were Bhishma and Drona then, and where was Somadatta? Thou hadst to live for thirteen years in the woods, supporting thyself on the products of the wilderness. Thy eldest father did not then look at thee with eyes of parental affection. Hast thou forgotten, O Partha, that it was this wretch of our race, of wicked understanding, that enquired of Vidura, when the match at dice was going on,--'What has been won?' Hearing thus far, king Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, endued with great intelligence, rebuked him and told him to be silent."' 15.12 "Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words, king Yudhishthira the just, highly applauded Arjuna. Meanwhile Bhimasena began to cast angry glances at Dhananjaya. Then Yudhishthira, endued with great intelligence, once more addressed Vidura and said, 'It behoves not king Dhritarashtra to be angry with Bhimasena. This Bhima of great intelligence was greatly afflicted by cold and rain and heat and by a thousand other griefs while residing in the woods. All this is not unknown to thee. Do thou, however, instructed by me, say unto the king, O foremost one of Bharata's race, that he may take from my house whatever articles he wishes and in whatever measure also he likes. Thou shalt also tell the king that he should not allow his heart to dwell on this exhibition of pride in which Bhima, deeply afflicted, has indulged. KR Thus Dridharashtran wanted to rule the kingdom as he wont give powers to Pandu at any cost; that power monger had to be cracked or else there is no use of winning a war for Kingdom; even the gifts at the cost of dharma is depleting the Gajana when he hands over the power only after 15 years of enjoyment even after the loss of children and son in law. Bhima was written; a hypocrite was Dridharashtran who was closely followed by Gandhari; In Adi parva beginning while narrating a synopsis of Maha Bharatham Vaisampayana extolled Gandhari. But they prove mockery by not yielding the dharma of self-government even after the absence of children. It is not the love of children. But mere lust for the soil. Bhima was right in kindling the battle events to invoke the real thing they have to do. Even at the end, both D and G take along Kunti though Vidura had to be left out. In short it was Bheema who said “MOVE LET BREEZE ENTER. SO BE IT K RAJARAM IRS 7424 On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 at 09:40, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *CULTURAL QA 04-2024-07* > > *All the below QA are from QUORA DIGEST to me on 07-04-2024. * > > *Selected Quora answers by generally interesting are included. Still they > need not be 100% correct answers. Two good jokes are included.* > > *Compiled and posted by R Gopalakrishnan, 80, on 07-4-2024 * > > *Q1 What's the funniest joke you know? Please I need to laugh. * > > *A1 Rob Dee,45 years in Science Nov 16* > > *A guy asks at a zoo if they've got any jobs.* > > * “Well”, says the owner “we're not doing too well and one of the gorillas > died the other day. I'll pay you to dress up in a gorilla suit and take his > place”.* > > *So the guy gets dressed in the gorilla suit and is walking around inside > the enclosure when a huge great silver back male gorilla approaches him. > He's absolutely terrified, scared for his life. He runs as fast as he can > and jumps over the enclosure wall.* > > *Only to land in the Lion enclosure.* > > *“Oh my god” he screams, “help me I'm not a gorilla I'm a human being”, as > a big lion moves towards him.* > > * “Shut up”, says the lion, “or you'll get us all fired”* > > *Q2 What is the funniest joke you've been told that you still think > about to this day?* > > *A2 Ron Scott, Jan 9* > > *This may belong to the blond joke section, but here goes -* > > *A blonde is flying down the road in her little sports car, convertible > top down, music blaring, signing away, going way over the speed limit.* > > *Before long, she sees the flying cherries of a cop in her rear view > mirror, so she pulls off to the side of the road. The cop walks up to her > door and leans in and says “Do you know you were going at least 40 over the > limit back there? I need to see your license please”.* > > *The blond starts rummaging through her wallet, and before long she is > obviously flustered, and turns to the cop and says “I’m sorry, what is it > I’m looking for? Can you tell me what it looks like?”* > > *The cop takes a deep sigh and says “Umm, your license?? it’s about the > size of a credit card and has your picture on it???”.* > > *So the blond rummages again and finds a little compact mirror in her > wallet. She looks closely at it and sure enough sees her picture, so she > hands it to the cop.* > > *The cop, who it turns out is also blond, takes a long hard look at it, > then hands it back to her and says “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were a > cop, you can go.”* > > *Q3 What is your favorite Winston Churchill story?* > > *A3 DeltaP, Fellow Commoner of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge Jan > 13* > > *This is my favourite, and although I don’t know whether it is true, I > could well believe it.* > > *Churchill died in January 1965. He was to be given a State Funeral (the > last in Britain until that of Queen Elizabeth II). Clearly there had been > much advance planning, in which he was involved. He did not want General de > Gaulle invited, as he felt (rightly) that de Gaulle disliked the > Anglo-Saxons greatly. However, to avoid a diplomatic incident, he agreed > that he should be invited, on one condition. That was that the funeral > train taking his coffin to Blenheim (a few miles from Oxford) should not > leave from Paddington (the natural station). Instead it should leave from > Waterloo Station, so that de Gaulle would have to walk under the Victory > Arch there.* > > *Q4 What are some great short stories with a twist ending?* > > *A4 Sanjay Anand Mishra, Surviving Indian Society since last 31 > years8y* > > *A boy was cycling with a basket of eggs on it. He hit a stone and fell > down along with the cycle.* > > *. . . The eggs also fell down and broke. A crowd gathered around the boy.* > > *. . . As usual free advice started flowing from the on lookers “Couldn’t > you be more careful?” “What is this, you are cycling , casually without > attention?”* > > *. . . An old man approached the crowd , saw what had happened and said > “Poor fellow this boy has to answer the Owner of the shop . Ok I will help > him , as much as I can”* > > *...... saying this handed over Rs10/- to the boy. And also said “These > onlookers are good people, they will not only give advice, they will help > you by giving money also, accept their help”* > > *. . . The onlookers observing the sayings of the old man and his actions > , gave money to the boy* > > *. . . The boy was very happy, since the money collected was more than the > value of the eggs broken* > > *. . . One of the onlooker asked the boy “young man if that old man was > not around , I do not know what difficulties you would have faced with your > owner”* > > *. . . The boy smiled and replied “Sir ,that old man is the owner of the > shop , where I work”. . Clever owner :) :)* > > *Q5 How would you justify Bhima torturing Gandhari and Dritarastra > after the Kurukshetra War for more than 15 years?* > > *A5 Lakshmi Telidevara, Studying Vyasa Bharat again and again.8mo* > > *I won’t justify Bhima’s behaviour rather I feel pity for Dhritarashtra > who was spending his last phase of life living with Pandavas whom he never > considered as his sons.* > > *Yes Bhima got valid reasons to hate Dhritarashtra but still I won’t > support his behaviour for the simple reason that Dhritarashtra was a > dependent on them whose responsibility they have taken after he lost all > his sons in war.* > > *For Dhritarashtra that itself was a punishment,I mean to live under the > shelter of Pandavas whom his son never allowed to live in peace and didn’t > leave any chance to grab their fortune and humiliate in the worst possible > manner. Dhritarashtra supported his son in all his misdeeds and never > intended to control him properly.* > > *Did Dhritarashtra repent his deeds? Yes but he couldn’t forego his > affection towards his slained sons particularly towards Duryodhana.* > > *Dhritarashtra’s repentence and reluctance forced him to punish himself by > not eating sufficient food and sleeping on floor spread with Kusha grass. > He admitted this.* > > *Of wicked understanding as I am, now after the lapse of five and ten > years, I am seeking to expiate my sins. Now at the fourth division of the > day or sometimes at the eighth division, with the regularity of a vow, I > eat a little food for simply conquering my thirst. Gandhari knows this. All > my attendants are under the impression that I eat as usual. Through fear of > Yudhishthira alone I concealed my acts, for if the eldest son of Pandu came > to know of my vow, he would feel great pain. Clad in deer-skin, I lie down > on the Earth, spreading a small quantity of Kusa grass, and pass the time > in silent recitations* > > *Section 1III Ashramavasa parva* > > *Whether Dhritarashtra deserves sympathy or not can be decided through the > conversation between Arjuna and Bhima.* > > *When Dhritarashtra wanted to donate gifts to people in the name of his > departed sons and Elders,Arjuna sensed Bhima’s disapproval and explained > why he should let Dhritarashtra have his way before leaving for forest.* > > *Arjuna’s compassion towards Dhritarashtra* > > *The diadem-decked Phalguna, understanding the thoughts of Bhimasena, > slightly bending his face downwards, addressed that foremost of men in > these words, 'O Bhima, our royal father who is advancing in years, has > resolved to retire into the woods. He wishes to make gifts for advancing > the happiness of his slain kinsmen and well-wishers now in the other world. > O thou of Kuru's race, he wishes to give away wealth that belongs to thee > by conquest. Indeed, O mighty-armed one, it is for Bhishma and others that > the old king is desirous of making those gifts. It behoves thee to grant > thy permission. By good luck it is, O thou of mighty arms that > Dhritarashtra today begs wealth of us, he who was formerly begged by us. * > > *Behold the reverse brought about by Time. That king who was before the > lord and protector of the whole Earth, now desires to go into the woods, > his kinsmen and associates all slain by foes. O chief of men, let not thy > views deviate from granting the permission asked for. O mighty-armed one, > refusal, besides bringing infamy, will be productive of demerit. Do thou > learn your duty in this matter from the king, thy eldest brother, who is > lord of all. It becometh thee to give instead of refusing* > > *XI Ashramavasa parva* > > *But Bhima being Himself pointed out all the deeds done by Dhritarashtra > and he was not wrong at all. Dhritarashtra surely happened to be the root > cause of all the sufferings of Pandavas.* > > *Bhima’s stern disapproval* > > * How hast thou been able to forget that anxiety of twelve long years, > and our residence in deep incognito that was so painful to Draupadi? Where > was Dhritarashtra's affection for us then? Clad in a black deer-skin and > divested of all thy ornaments, with the princess of Panchala in thy > company, didst thou not follow this king? Where were Bhishma and Drona > then, and where was Somadatta? Thou hadst to live for thirteen years in the > woods, supporting thyself on the products of the wilderness. Thy eldest > father did not then look at thee with eyes of parental affection. Hast thou > forgotten, O Partha, that it was this wretch of our race, of wicked > understanding, that enquired of Vidura, when the match at dice was going > on,--'What has been won?' Hearing thus far, king Yudhishthira, the son of > Kunti, endued with great intelligence, rebuked him and told him to be > silent."'* > > *XI Ashramavasa parva* > > *Yudhishtira silenced Bhima,Arjuna offered his wealth to be utilised for > Dhritarashtra’s donations.* > > *Was Bhima right in torturing Dhritarashtra?* > > *Bhima was not able to forget what Dhritarashtra did with them. His > presence triggered him up to the extent of harassing the old king by his > verbal taunts. Not every one can forget the evil deeds of others and Bhima > was one among them.* > > *But to torture the old king by mentioning how he killed his sons I > consider inhuman and insensitive.* > > *In contrast other four brothers treated Dhritarashtra with compassion. > Arjuna and Yudhishtira addressed him as Father.* > > *Arjuna pleaded with Bhima to accept Dhrutarashtra’s wish to donate lest > he will get ill fame and demerit.* > > *Arjuna was right in mentioning thus because however bad Dhritarashtra > was,he was in a pathetic condition right then. He was old,weak,sad & > desperate. Moreover he was their father in relation and stature.* > > *He wanted to spend his last days in penance and wished to donate for a > last time.* > > *Dhritarashtra definitely deserved sympathy for all these reasons.* > > *I don’t find any justification for Bhima’s harsh behaviour towards > Dhritarashtra.* > > *My answer is based on story of Vyasabharat.* > > *My note- I cannot fully agree to Mrs Lakshmi Telidevara. Dritharashtra > tried to crush Bhima when Pandavas went to perform Namaskaram after winning > war as desired by Dritharashtra. He crushed while embracing, even the iron > idol of Bhima while embracing. Dritharashtra had so much cruelty to Bhima. * > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1315617270.3934624.1712500801972%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1315617270.3934624.1712500801972%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZopM%3D15EfoFy_d2v-fmU-V-CXg1escdh9kQG-X0GQ62k%3DQ%40mail.gmail.com.
