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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Dharma must not be compromised

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 17. Scriptural texts like the Mahabharata deal with

not only topics pertaining to spiritual life but also a wide

range of subjects relevant to worldly life. The world is the

stage for the human soul to evolve towards the goal of liberation

and birth here is not an accident but the result of Karma

acquired in countless births. It is by experiencing joys and

sorrows that the bonded soul works out its Karma which is

necessary to be liberated from further births. Karma being the

determining factor of an individual's birth, it makes every human

life unique. Dharma is the foundation of the entire existence and

it is incumbent on every person to follow it according to the

norms laid down for his station in life. The epic throws light on

the nuances of Dharma at every opportunity.

 

When the Kaurava army attacked the city of Virata in the absence

of the king who was lured away by the army of Susarma, only his

son Uttara Kumara was present. Though he was incapable of heading

an army he started bragging that he could fight like Arjuna if he

had a good charioteer. Draupadi who was in disguise as Sairandhri

overheard it and became angry that he had the audacity to compare

himself to Arjuna. Arjuna who had disguised himself as a woman,

Brihannala, calmed her and asked her to tell princess Uttara that

he would help by becoming his charioteer. The prince instead of

appreciating this gesture ridiculed the idea saying that he would

not have a charioteer who was neither a man nor a woman.

 

Sairandhri convinced him that in an emergency like that there was

no room to think of such small matters of etiquette and that he

should conduct himself as behoved a Kshatriya (ruler). Brihannala

was summoned and Uttara Kumara had no choice but to put up a

brave face and set out for war. But the moment they neared the

outskirts of the city seeing the huge army assembled there the

prince was struck dumb with fear. Brihannala, on the other hand,

pushed on and started identifying the important warriors of the

Kaurava army. Terrorised, Uttara Kumara pleaded that they should

turn back as he could not face such great warriors single-handed,

said Sri S.Natarajan in his discourse.

 

It was at this juncture that Arjuna explained the Dharma of a

ruler to the prince and told him ``You are a Kshatriya. Please do

not bring disgrace to your race. Death on the battlefield is

better than this flight.'' Even when this did not bring him to

his senses Arjuna told him that he would fight making him his

charioteer and defeated the Kauravas.

 

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