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

 

Irrevocable nature of destiny

 

CHENNAI, SEPT. 29. There is a trite saying that it is possible to

surmount destiny by one's intellectual acumen. This is the

argument adduced by those who do not believe in the role of

Providence in human lives. Man only reaps the result of his

actions and hence it is Karma that determines the fortunes of

human beings. The birth and circumstances in which it unfolds are

in the hands of Providence. Though these are factors beyond human

control, man is vested with choice which he can exercise to his

advantage if he remains balanced. But often, in life situations,

especially during adversities, he becomes a puppet in the hands

of fate. It is during such moments that even the most sagacious

person succumbs to his weaknesses and makes mistakes. This should

not make a person fatalistic about his lot in life; rather he

must shape his future by his actions.

 

The circumstances under which the elder of the Pandavas was lured

to play the game of dice, which became the prelude to the

fratricidal war in the kingdom of the Kurus, are a pointer to the

inexorable nature of destiny. Yudishtra was the very

personification of Dharma and he was the one who cautioned his

brothers not to retaliate whenever they suffered injustices and

insults at Duryodana's hands. After they converted the barren

Khandavaprastha into the beautiful city, Indraprastha, by Lord

Krishna's grace, Yudishtra performed the Rajasuya sacrifice and

their prosperity only fuelled Duryodana's burning jealousy. He

conferred with his close aides Karna and Sakuni to plan a

strategy to wrest their wealth, said Nagai Sri Mukundhan in his

discourse.

 

Sakuni advised that without resorting to force or bloodshed

Yudishtra's weakness for the game of dice could be manipulated to

serve their end. Though Karna supported Duryodana out of

gratitude, he was not one to be party to fraudulent means. So he

suggested that they must challenge them to a fight, but Sakuni

shot down his advice saying that they could never win the

Pandavas. So under the pretext of inviting them to see the new

additions they had made to the palace they planned to entrap

Yudishtra into playing a game of dice, for which he had a

weakness but was not skilled enough.

 

Villiputurar's Mahabharata portrays Dhritashtra as a just king in

this context. Though the king was intimidated by Duryodana to do

his bidding, his conscience dictated him to tell Vidura, who was

sent with the invitation, to warn Yudishtra covertly that

Duryodana's intention was no good. But, the Pandavas' fate was

sealed.

 

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