You are here: SriPedia - SriRangaSri - Archives - May 2003

SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00157 May 2003

 
May 2003 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <aakumar@xxxx>
To: <mpmahesh@xxxx>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 2:12 PM
Subject: Insight into human nature



Insight into human nature 


The fratricidal war waged by the Pandavas and the Kauravas 
recounted by Veda Vyasa in the Mahabharata is not just an epic 
elaborating the lives of these cousins but is symbolic of the 
perpetual conflict that goes on within every human being. Thus it 
is perennially relevant to the human situation and will never fail 
to give insight into human nature. Man has a dual personality, a 
virtuous side, which behoves him to abide by righteousness and 
another dark side, which makes him a slave to vices and indolence. 
These opposing tendencies are always in conflict giving rise to 
mental dilemma. 


The reference to the battlefield of Kurukshetra as "Dharmakshetra" 
is a metaphor for a human being in whom the clash between Dharma 
and Adharma (virtue and vice) takes place during every predicament 
posed by life. The Pandavas are the personification of Dharma and 
the Kauravas of Adharma. The epic depicts that God always graces 
the person who is wedded to righteousness and hence he is bound to 
emerge victorious. This subtlety can be seen in the manner in which 
Lord Krishna's bountiful grace helped the Pandavas to overcome the 
difficulties they faced throughout their lives. It was their 
adherence to Dharma that merited His grace. 


In his discourse, Swami Vidya Sagara Madhava Theertha said one must 
discern the plan of the imperceptible Lord behind all the action 
and drama recounted in this epic. One incident, which is 
illustrative of Lord Krishna's design, was when Arjuna and 
Duryodana rushed to His side for help when the war became imminent. 
Duryodana wanted to outdo the Pandavas in seeking the allegiance of 
as many armies as possible. So he forestalled Arjuna by reaching 
Krishna who was sleeping then. He waited sitting on a seat placed 
near His head whereas Arjuna stood humbly by His feet. And, 
naturally when He woke up His eyes rested on Arjuna. 


When the purpose of their visit was expressed, Krishna offered them 
a choice? between all His armies and Himself without wielding any 
weapon during the battle. Prodded by their respective natures 
Arjuna who was asked to choose first fell at His feet with tears of 
gratitude in His eyes and declared, "I want You, My Lord." 
Duryodana was delighted that he got His armies as he wanted. 






***************************** DISCLAIMER ***************************

This message is confidential to the company, and is intended only
for the named recipient. It may also be privileged or otherwise
protected by work product immunity or other legal rules. If you are
not the intended recipient, you are requested to delete this mail and
also be notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any
action in reliance on the contents of this mail is strictly prohibited.
The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus
transmitted by this email.

**********************************************************************






[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
srirangasri-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list