đź‘Ť On Sun, 7 Apr 2024 at 20:12, gopala krishnan <[email protected]> wrote:
> Thank you sir for responding to the QA and agreeing to my note > > Gopalakrishnan > > On Sunday, 7 April, 2024 at 09:47:00 pm IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > 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> > . > > -- > On Facebook, please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/keralaiyerstrust > > We are now on Telegram Mobile App also, please join > > Pattars/Kerala Iyers Discussions: https://t.me/PattarsGroup > > Kerala Iyers Trust Decisions only posts : https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrust > > Kerala Iyers Trust Group for Discussions: > https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrustGroup > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "KeralaIyers" 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/keralaiyers/CAL5XZopM%3D15EfoFy_d2v-fmU-V-CXg1escdh9kQG-X0GQ62k%3DQ%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/CAL5XZopM%3D15EfoFy_d2v-fmU-V-CXg1escdh9kQG-X0GQ62k%3DQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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