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Dhritrashtra and
Pandu both were brothers. Pandu being elder was emperor of Hastinapur. He
went for penance in seclusion after entrusting with Dhritrashtra all the
responsibilities of running the empire tentatively. He could not return,
died during the penance with his wives and his brother usurped the kingdom
depriving the Sons of Pandu, the Pandavas, from their legitimate royal
rights. He had soft corner for his eldest son Duryodhan who lost not a
single opportunity for harassing them. It was the duty of Dhritrashtra for
submitting the kingdom to the legitimate heirs and discouraging Duryodhan.
But the story took an adverse, different turn altogether. The result was
evidently clear and comprehensible. If the elder of the family does not
remain neutral, judicious, discriminative and keeps soft corner for one of
the children the family is obviously ruined. He cannot become impartial. In
the absence of his elder brother Pandu, Dhritrashtra was expected to pay
extra-ordinary attention to Pandavas and to consider their case more
affectionately and sympathetically; but he could not act accordingly. On the
contrary he cherished particularly more affection for Duryodhan. It was also
one of the principal causes of the fierceful battle of Mahabharat.
In the first
chapter of Geeta, Dhritrashtra describes Kauravas and Pandavas as मामकाः
sons of mine and Pandavas. The word मामकाः is most meaningful and
significant. It suggests that he does not consider Pandavas as his favorites
or belonging to him. The historical tragedy took place owing to such selfish
temperament, outlook or attitude. His attachment and sense of
indiscrimination also paved way for social conflagration and ultimate
annihilation.
From the great
gospel Geeta we are able to get a glimpse of the contemporary social
conditions very easily. The melancholy state of moral descendence among
intellectuals, warriors, spiritual stalwarts, particularly among leaders
during the days of Mahabharat is surprising and painful. When virtue
vanishes and injustice or unrighteousness prevails all-round in society, the
immediate duty of leaders from all walks of life is to sound their voice and
register their opposition fearlessly. They should not side with injustice or
unrighteousness. But the case during the dreadful battle of Mahabharat is
totally different. Bhishma the great scholar, philosopher or preceptor of
those days sided with Duryodhan, and same was the case with the great master
Dronacharya, Shukracharya and others. If they had oppressed Duryodhan very
vigorously, genuinely or selflessly and had not sided with him for
participation on the battlefield, the course of events would have been
transformed altogether. Duryodhan would have become depressed, discouraged
and the massive bloodshed would have been avoided. But they lacked mental
strength and courage. They lost the initiative. Hence the history recorded
the catastrophe.
One additional
cause for the fierceful battle of Mahabharat was gambling. Yudhishthir
invited, and instigated by Duryodhan and Shakuni, could not resist
temptation for gambling. Despite being defeated once he played for the
second time and lost Draupadi too, the most prudent personality like him
faltered repeatedly in that manner and the consequence was obvious.
Duryodhan ordered
Dushasana for capturing Draupadi. She was ridiculed or insulted on the floor
of Duryodhan's royal assembly. Duryodhan endeavored fruitlessly for her
defamation and she consequently determined and took vow for punishment.
Pandavas
afterwards were repeatedly reminded by her of the tragedy and for
retaliatory measures. "Consider other's wealth as stone and other's wife as
mother" are the two principal precepts of the scriptures and saints for
individual and collective peace, prosperity, stability and happiness.
Duryodhan violated both those moral precepts by encroaching upon Pandavas'
royal right, despite occasional entreaties, refusing to endorse their
legitimate right over their ancestral kingdom and manhandling Draupadi
lustfully.
The arrogance and
feeling for vengeance within Duryodhan was almost everlasting, unshakable
and acted as one of the causes of Mahabharat. He was extremely jealous of
Pandavas' prosperity and tried his utmost to harass them. The bitterness
between Kauravas and Pandavas instead of decreasing went on increasing
gradually and he played the most prominent role for that. As a consequence
of it, Pandavas were compelled for fighting. The major conflagration broke
out and it led to all-round annihilation. The history of Mahabharat teaches
that evil can never become triumphant ultimately. Love and not enmity or
hatred becomes victorious. Mankind has yet to learn that lesson.
( From
Shri Yogeshwarji's book entitled 'Essence
of Geeta'
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