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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Two examples of true friendship

 

CHENNAI, APRIL 10. There are several instances of noble

characters portrayed in our sacred books, displaying genuine

friendship and of returning the debt of gratitude even undergoing

personal sacrifice but all of them pale into insignificance in

the case of two, who between themselves stood together till their

end. One of them, with power to carry out any deed, gave the

other an enviable status for which the recipient reciprocated by

refusing to be disloyal to his mentor even when he was offered a

bigger position.

 

Holy texts also constantly remind human beings about their

limitations when compared to the power that God wields, so as not

to imagine that the former can do harm to the latter nor cheat

Him nor ignore Him. When the Almighty came to the world and acted

as an ordinary person to re-establish moral order and punish the

wrong-doers, a conceited man, who presumed he was invincible,

planned to capture Him but he was utterly defeated. On the other

hand, the Lord removed several obstacles faced by devotees which

otherwise would have been insurmountable at a later stage. If

devotees hold on to God's feet and place their entire burden

there, God will never fail to protect them. The main teaching in

all scriptural works like the Mahabharata is that where there is

virtue, God will present Himself there and where He chooses to

reside, success is sure and opponents will get lost.

 

Sri K. P. Arivanandam, in his lecture, mentioned about Karna's

reaction, when his true identity was revealed and how he spurned

the offer of becoming emperor as he was utterly loyal to the one

who had given him a status. In a situation where his friend could

have mistaken him, the former, known for his anger and pride, was

absolutely calm. Such was the bond that existed between them. As

the Kurukshetra war was to commence, rules to be followed by both

the armies were set down. Fight should be between equals. If one

should withdraw, he should not be harassed. One who runs away

should not be chased and harmed. Charioteers, animals and

servants helping their masters should not be attacked. Wounded

men should not be killed. Even at the final stage when it became

clear that the wicked will surely be crushed by those who had

firm faith in God, Sage Vyasa explained to the blind emperor

about the evil omen, to predict defeat for the unjust. ``There

will be trickles of blood from the eyes of idols, tears from

animals' eyes, thunder and dark clouds will be there without rain

and full moon will have no lustre.''

 

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