Actually Bhima did not drink the blood of Duhsasana

[Guest guest]

> Bhima and others while teaching

> about the spirit of devotion are not teaching sadhana.

 

The actual truth is that Bhima never drank the blood of Duhsasana. The

blood never passed through his lips. When Gandhari questioned him about his

'asuric' act he spoke as follows:

 

All that you have said about Duryodhana is true,¨ Gandhari replied, and most

certainly he has met with a death that he deserves. There was, however,

another act that you have performed that was most heinous. After you killed

my son Duhshasana, you drank the blood from his chest. Such an act is most

wicked and resembles the behavior of Rakshasas and not of great heroes. Such

a abominable act in never sanctioned by the codes of fighting and is

condemned by all.¨

 

When the unfair gambling match took place in Hastinapura,¨ Bhima replied,

Duhshasana seized Draupadi's sanctified hair. At that time I took a vow that

I would drink his blood for that sinful act. The fact is, however, that the

blood never passed my lips. I never actually drank the blood of Duhshasana.

Karna knew this well. For fulfilling the vow I had taken after the gambling

match, I apparently drank his blood. You should not, O Gandhari, find any

fault in me. Without having restrained your sons in former days from their

sinful acts, you should not grieve when the reaction accrues to those sinful

deeds.¨

 

>From Mahabharata Stree Parva, Entitled, Lamentation Over the Dead

Relatives.

 

Your servant,

Nayana-rañjana d€sa

(Text 1536) ---------------