The Mahabharatam : The Greatness of the Epic - 3.2.1.

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11/03/2018

The Mahabharatam :

The Greatness of the Epic - 3.2.

3. Heroic Characters :--2.1.

1. Yudhishthira :

Yudhishthira did not wield arms. He did not take active part in the war-front. He did not use bow and arrows. He had neither the strength of Bhima nor the skill of Arjuna in archery. But he was an embodiment of righteousness. He was an incarnation of Dharma. That is the reason why he was called as Dharmaputra. He was a wise and ideal king. He established peace and order. He guided his brothers in the path of truth and righteousness and checked them whenever they went astray.

Arjuna bore manfully the insults which Draupadi was subjected to before his eyes. He could not disobey Yudhishthira or show him the least disrespect. All the brothers were meek and submissive before Yudhishthira, however mighty and heroic they were.


They could crush mountains and dry up oceans with their arrows. They were terrible before their opponents but they were mild and gentle before Yudhishthira and were ever ready to obey his commands. They would never speak a word in opposition.

Such was the awe-inspiring personality of Yudhishthira. Had it not been for Yudhishthira, Arjuna and his brothers would not have won the war. Yudhishthira was the founder of an empire. He is in an inspiring example, even now, for the rulers of kingdoms and states.

He was an embodiment of justice, patience, steadiness, purity, truthfulness and forbearance.

To be continued ..
Swami Sivananda

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