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

 

Kunti - a classic symbol of gratitude

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 9. When a crisis occurs in a family placing its

members in a dilemma as to who is to offer a sacrifice so as to

defuse the situation, will it be the bread-winner or his wife who

runs the household or the children who should bear the burden in

future. If the husband goes others will be left in the lurch. In

the absence of the woman, there will be chaos and if the children

volunteer to quit, the parents will suffer as there will be a

vacuum. A scene in the Mahabharatam unfolds the conversation

amongst a group as how to face such a trial which will surely

mean the extinction of one among them. But the relief to everyone

came when a guest staying with the family volunteered and brought

cheer to all by wiping out the very source of the problem before

them.

 

In one town, the citizens who were being terrorised by a demon

that he would eat them, came to an arrangement with him that one

among them would visit him daily by turns with a cart-load of

food and he could satisfy his hunger and also devour the person

who carried it. The demon on his part should not come into the

town. The Pandavas who had miraculously escaped from the death-

trap laid by their cousins stayed in one of the houses in this

town awaiting the future course of action. One day, their mother

Kunti heard sobs from their hosts and learnt about the demon's

threat and that it was the turn of one of its members to go.

 

It was at this juncture that Kunti brought them sops by agreeing

to send one of her (five) sons and thereby repay the family for

their kindness. Her plan was to depute Bhima, but this suggestion

was resisted by the house owner stating that he would not commit

the sin of allowing a guest to die on their behalf but Kunti

convinced him that her son would surely punish the culprit. But

the eldest among the Pandavas regretted at this thoughtless

action of his mother as they could ill-afford to lose Bhima who

was their strength. Kunti's reply was that she was not impulsive

when she took this decision because she was quite aware of his

strength to face any danger. ``By this act, I want to repay their

debt of our gratitude to those who gave us shelter and to the

people of the town who have taken care of us.''

 

In his discourse, Sri Kalyanarama Bhattachariyar narrated how

Bhima destroyed the demon and left the carcass at the gateway of

the town, leaving all residents, relieved of their fear and

making them remain happy forever and fetching delight to his

mother. All these days, the Pandavas were living in disguise.

Then came the chance to demonstrate their valour and marry

Draupadi.

 

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