Hi,
Continuing with my earlier blog on the importance of ‘values and ethics’ extracted from the book, YUGANTA – The end of an epoch, I would like to share with you another interesting message ‘Paradharmo bhayavahah’ from the same book that Irawati Karve tries to bring out by evaluating different characters from the Mahabharata. While everyone should perform the responsibilities he or she is designated to, it may be dangerous to indulge in another’s responsibilities. Here is the extract……
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Taking over another’s dharma is dangerous.
As the battle was coming to an end, the entire Kaurava army was killed but for Duryodhana and Ashvatthama. When the Pandavas came to kill Duryodhana who was hiding in a pool, Ashvatthama, instead of standing by the side of his king, had run away. Bereaved at the death of his father, he wanted to take a revenge. Ashvatthama, going against the war code, entered the Pandavas’ camp in the middle of the night and killed not only Dhrishtadyumna, who had earlier killed his father, but also the five sleeping sons of Draupadi. Later, in the battle between him and Arjuna, he, by virtue of not being a Kshatriya, could not recall his weapon which went forward and killed the child in Uttara’s womb due to which he had to receive the curse of Krishna, “You will live for thousands of years. You will wander ceaselessly through the forests and deserts. No living man will shelter you.” All the other generals died as warriors. But Ashvatthama was doomed to a life more terrible than death.
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Ashvatthama appeared to have had gone through utter confusion about his dharma between that of a Brahmin and a Kshatriya. Though in today’s evolved world of opportunities and freedom, we don’t go by the dharmas as per the caste or creed in which one is born, it is important to recognize, understand, and be conscious of the dharma for which one is born as early as possible in one’s life to be able to perform it in the best way one could and also gain the satisfaction of living up to it. Without that clarity of the purpose for which one is living the life, it would be very difficult to achieve any sense of satisfaction. And without the consciousness of “Who am I? What am I here for?’, there is a danger of being carried away by the dharma of others and get into troubles.
We all have our responsibilities to perform in our chosen areas of work. It is important that we understand and perform our roles in the best manner in the first place instead of leaving them and indulging in other’s responsibilities. Paradharmo bhayavahah! Taking over others’ responsibilities is dangerous!
To your great SUCCESS,
With love and regards,
Siva
value4value@gmail.com
Continuing with my earlier blog on the importance of ‘values and ethics’ extracted from the book, YUGANTA – The end of an epoch, I would like to share with you another interesting message ‘Paradharmo bhayavahah’ from the same book that Irawati Karve tries to bring out by evaluating different characters from the Mahabharata. While everyone should perform the responsibilities he or she is designated to, it may be dangerous to indulge in another’s responsibilities. Here is the extract……
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Taking over another’s dharma is dangerous.
- Bhagavad-Gita, XVIIIAshvatthama was the son of Drona. Like his father, instead of learning the Brahmanical lore, he became an expert in the use of arms. He had completely discarded all the qualities of brahmanhood. Not only that, he was utterly debased. Caught in the endless chain of injury and retaliation, his deeds were unequalled in horror and cruelty. In the court of Kauravas, his behaviour was arrogant. In the Mahabharata battle, both the father and son fought against Pandavas.
As the battle was coming to an end, the entire Kaurava army was killed but for Duryodhana and Ashvatthama. When the Pandavas came to kill Duryodhana who was hiding in a pool, Ashvatthama, instead of standing by the side of his king, had run away. Bereaved at the death of his father, he wanted to take a revenge. Ashvatthama, going against the war code, entered the Pandavas’ camp in the middle of the night and killed not only Dhrishtadyumna, who had earlier killed his father, but also the five sleeping sons of Draupadi. Later, in the battle between him and Arjuna, he, by virtue of not being a Kshatriya, could not recall his weapon which went forward and killed the child in Uttara’s womb due to which he had to receive the curse of Krishna, “You will live for thousands of years. You will wander ceaselessly through the forests and deserts. No living man will shelter you.” All the other generals died as warriors. But Ashvatthama was doomed to a life more terrible than death.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashvatthama appeared to have had gone through utter confusion about his dharma between that of a Brahmin and a Kshatriya. Though in today’s evolved world of opportunities and freedom, we don’t go by the dharmas as per the caste or creed in which one is born, it is important to recognize, understand, and be conscious of the dharma for which one is born as early as possible in one’s life to be able to perform it in the best way one could and also gain the satisfaction of living up to it. Without that clarity of the purpose for which one is living the life, it would be very difficult to achieve any sense of satisfaction. And without the consciousness of “Who am I? What am I here for?’, there is a danger of being carried away by the dharma of others and get into troubles.
We all have our responsibilities to perform in our chosen areas of work. It is important that we understand and perform our roles in the best manner in the first place instead of leaving them and indulging in other’s responsibilities. Paradharmo bhayavahah! Taking over others’ responsibilities is dangerous!
To your great SUCCESS,
With love and regards,
Siva
value4value@gmail.com
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