On Dharma-vyaadha

[Guest guest]

Namaste Friends:

This is a request to provide the details of the expounding of Dharma by the

Jnani Dharmavyaadha (in the Mahabharatha) to a Brahmachari who was directed by

a Pativrataa to that Self-realised person whose profession was that of a

butcher.

 

The details could be posted on the List or links could be provided. Even

information about books that contain this in English or Kannada would be

helpful.

 

With Pranams to all

subbu

 

 

 

 

What are the most popular cars? Find out at Autos

 

 

[Guest guest]

Subbu Ji

Namaste!

The story of DharmavyAdha is a very interesting episode narrated by sage

MArkandEya to YudhishTira in the Vana Parva

 

During the conversation YudhisTira asks the sage to narrate the glory of

devoted wives (pativrata). He narrates through the story of a Brahmin named

Kaushika. Kaushika was well versed in vEdas; while he was once chanting vEda

sitting under a tree, a bird dropping fell on his head. He cursed the bird,

the bird fell down and died. He repented his action; after a while with the

same guilt feeling, he went on his daily routine of alms. He would always go

to the same houses everyday. That day at one of the door front when he cried

out for alms - "bhavati bhiksAm dEhi", the voice from inside said "thishTa"

- hold on! She was attending to her husband. After the husband's needs were

met, she came to attend the Brahmin. She at once noticed that the Brahmin

was angry. She asked for his forgiveness, explaining the delay,that she was

attending to her husband. The Brahmin alleging that she is ignorant of

dharma, made a Brahmin wait, who has the ability to burn the earth. She

replied that she has never insulted a Brahmin in her life. She considers the

service to her husband as her supreme dharma and that his power would have

no effect on her, unlike the bird. She advised him on the intricacies of

Dharma and suggested he go and learn dharma from DharmavyAdha in Mithila.

The Brahmin surprised by her knowledge of his earlier experience with the

bird, thanked her and set out to meet DharmavyAdha.

 

At Mithila, DharmavyAdha welcomed the Brahmin in his butcher shop, saying he

was expecting the brahmin's arrival, being sent by the devoted wife. The

Brahmin was very surprised for the second time, both the devoted wife and

DharmavyAdha knowing the brahmin's previous experiences of the day.

DharmavyAdha takes the Brahmin to his home, offers him service and declares

that he is at the service of Brahmin. The Brahmin sympathizes with

DharmavyAdha about his occupation. DharmavyAdha says that it is his

svadharma, handed down by generations and that the Brahmin need not feel

sorry for it. In answering the questions of the Brahmin, DharmavyAdha extols

the virtues of varnAshrama dharma ( caste based division of labor), the

protection of dharma who supports it (dharmO rakshati rakshitah), describes

the behavior of sAtvik persons, the value of repentance, the downfall caused

by desires and anger ( trividham narakasyEdam dvAram nAshanam Atmanah,

kamah, krOdhah tathA lObhah, tasmAt Etat tryam tyajEt - Geeta 16-21) etc.

etc. DharmavyAdha says that his most cherished duty is the service of his

parents in oldage. He advises him on violence and non-violence. He is a

butcher by profession, because of his past karma- though he was a Brahmin in

the past life, he had friendship with the price and learnt archery, once

accidentally killed a sage by an arrow; this karma landed him in this life

as a vyAdha (butcher).DharmavyAdha says

Svakarma tyajatO Brahman adharma iha drishyatE

Svakarma niratO yastu dharmah sa iti nischayah - discarding sva-varNa karma

is adharma; following svadharma is really the path of dharma (also Geeta

3-35)

Sarvam vyAptamidam Brahman prANibhih prANijIvanaih

matsyAn grasanthE matsyAscha tatra kim pratibhAti tE - life depends on life;

 

 

He further expounds on the cycle of life driven by karma, and adhyAtma

(vEdantic philosophy). The discussion between the Brahmin and DharmavyAdha

is very comprehensive, which I have only scraped the surface. If you have

any specific questions, I would be happy to look in to it.

 

Regards,

K. Ramakrishna.

 

 

Message: 9

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 08:52:53 -0800 (PST)

V Subrahmanian <subrahmanian_v

On Dharma-vyaadha

 

Namaste Friends:

This is a request to provide the details of the expounding of Dharma by

the Jnani Dharmavyaadha (in the Mahabharatha) to a Brahmachari who was

directed by a Pativrataa to that Self-realised person whose profession was

that of a butcher.

 

The details could be posted on the List or links could be provided. Even

information about books that contain this in English or Kannada would be

helpful.

 

With Pranams to all

subbu