Hindu Article-Exposition of Dharma

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Exposition of Dharma

 

 

 

CHENNAI: A person can have peace of mind in life only if he follows

Dharma. Advocating Dharma ensures the welfare of all and an

individual's happiness in society depends on his relationship with

others. Thus a righteous life is not only the basis for spiritual

evolution but also essential for leading a peaceful life in the

world. Among the human frailties that prevent a person from upholding

Dharma, attachment to kith and kin is very common and also difficult

to overcome. Dhritarashtra best exemplifies this human failing and

the Mahabharata highlights how he failed to rein in his son,

Duryodana, from perpetrating injustices on the Pandavas.

 

When the Pandavas returned from their exile including a year of

living incognito in the kingdom of Virata, the least they expected

was their rightful share of kingdom. But the messenger they sent to

the court of Hastinapura returned with the message that the king

would convey his decision through Sanjaya, who became the reluctant

envoy. And, Dhritarashtra sent a message of peace to avert a war

appealing to Yudhishthira's good nature, as though the Pandavas were

spoiling for a fight, said Sengalipuram Sri N. Rama Dikshitar in his

discourse.

 

Sanjaya returned with the reply from the Pandavas and he had no

qualms of speaking his mind and admonished Dhritarashtra, "I was so

happy in the fine atmosphere of peace and righteousness I found

there. I had a most unpleasant piece of work to do because of you.

You are unrighteous. Your sons are sinners. You are hoping to enjoy

this Earth in spite of this. I gave your message to Yudhishthira and

will give his reply to you in the court tomorrow." Rebuked thus the

king lost his sleep and the night seemed interminably long. He

desperately sent for Vidura and begged piteously to console him.

 

Vidura, the stickler for Dharma, on his part tried to instil some

good sense in him by pointing out the reason for his

restlessness, "You are a very sinful person. You ask me to tell you

how you can sleep. At this very moment, if you decide to return

Yudhishthira's kingdom to him, you can sleep like an innocent

child... " Vidura then elaborately discoursed on Dharma, which has

come to be hailed as the Viduraniti and given the status of an

independent treatise on ethics.

 

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