98. YUDHISHTHIRA COMFORTED :

YUDHISHTHIRA'S pain of mind
increased everyday as he thought of all the
kinsmen that had been killed. He was
stricken with intense remorse and decided
he must give up the world go to the forest
and do penance to expiate his sin.


"I see no joy or good," he said to his
brothers, in taking up the office of king or
in worldly enjoyment. Do rule the land
yourselves leaving me free to go to the
forest."


Arjuna talked of the nobility of family life
and the entire good one may do without
taking sanyasa. Bhimasena also spoke and
harshly.


"You talk, alas"' he said, "like a dullwitted
person who has committed to
memory the texts of the sastras without
understanding their sense. Sanyasa is not
the dharma of kshatriyas. The duty of a
kshatriya, is to live an active life and
perform his proper task, not to go to the
forest renouncing activity."


Nakula also contested the propriety of
Dharmaputra's proposal and insisted that
the path of work was the right one to
follow and the way of sanyasa was beset
with difficulties.


Sahadeva also argued likewise and
entreated: "You are my father, my mother,
my teacher, as well as brother. Do not
leave us, bear with us."


Draupadi also spoke. "It was right we
killed Duryodhana and his men. Why
should we regret it? Among the duties of a
king is included the inflicting of just
punishment. It cannot be avoided and is
an essential part of the ruler's duty. You
have meted just punishment too evildoers.


There is no cause whatsoever for
contrition. It is now your sacred duty to
take up the burden of governing the land
according to dharma. Cease grieving."
Then Vyasa spoke to Yudhishthira at
length and explained where his duty lay,
pointing out precedents, and persuaded
him to go to the city and take up the
burden of ruling the land.


Yudhishthira was duly crowned at
Hastinapura. Before taking up the duties
of the State, Yudhishthira went to where
Bhishma lay on his bed of arrows
awaiting his death, and took his blessing
and instruction in dharma. This instruction
of Bhishmacharya to king Yudhishthira is
the famous Santiparva of the
Mahabharata. After the discourse was
over, Bhishma's soul passed out. The king
went to the Ganga and offered libations,
in accordance with ancient custom, for the
peace of the departed soul.


After the ceremony was over,
Yudhishthira went up the bank. There, as
he stood for a while, all the tragic events
came back to his mind, and overcome by
intense grief, he fell senseless on the
ground, like an elephant struck down by
the hunter.



Bhima went up to his big brother and
caressed him tenderly and spoke to him
soothing words. Dhritarashtra also came
up and said to Yudhishthira:
"You should not grieve like this. Arise
and, assisted by your brothers and friends,
reign over the kingdom that awaits your
rule. Your duty now is to do what
appertains to the office of king. Leave
grief to Gandhari and me. You achieved
victory in battle in accordance with the
dharma of warriors. The duties
appertaining to that victory await your
attention now. Fool that I was, I did not
pay heed to the words of Vidura and
committed a great error. I listened to the
ignorant words of Duryodhana and
deceived myself. Like gold seen in a
dream the glory has vanished. My
hundred sons have disappeared into the
world of nowhere. But I have you as my
son now. Do not grieve."


Next : 99. ENVY

Continues...