Mahabharata Unravelled II: Lessons Of Past That Influence Us Today

Mahabharata is more than a story of the past. It has extensive discourses on ethics, personal and social interaction, administration, jurisprudence, and related topics, in the form of conversations. Ami Ganatra highlights the most important lessons from the Dharma discourses found in the Mahabharata. Their teachings hold true even in current times, perhaps more so than ever. 

An Excerpt

Part 5 Vyādha Geetā

The Sermon of a Meat-Seller: Among the many interesting stories narrated by Rishi Mārkandeya to Yudhishthira and the Pāndavas during their stay in the forest, one such discourse deserves a special mention. This is the story of a young Brāhmin receiving lessons in the nuances of Dharma from quite unlikely teachers.

A Lady Shows the Way

Once there lived a Brāhmin named Kaushika. He was well known for his deep study of the Vedas along with all six Vedāngas¹ and the austerities he performed. One day, as he was sitting under a tree and studying, a bird defecated on his head. Furious, he cursed death upon the bird. In no time, the bird fell dead before him. His anger subsided on seeing the bird lying lifeless on the ground and guilt gripped his heart. ‘What have I done? Engulfed with anger, I took an innocent life,’ he lamented. With the thought of the bird still in his mind, he went to get bhikshā² for his food in the village nearby.

He approached a house where he had received bhikshā before. The door was open. He called out loudly, ‘Bhavati bhikshām dehi—O lady, give me bhikshā.’ The lady of the house was washing dishes when she heard Kaushika at the door. ‘Sure, I will, please wait a little,’ she replied. As soon as she completed her washing and put away the dishes, her husband came home for lunch. He was famished. The lady was a homemaker par excellence. She was fully devoted to her role as the nourisher and caretaker of everyone in the family. When she saw her husband, as was her routine, the lady started making arrangements for his lunch. That Kaushika was waiting outside for bhikshā completely slipped her mind. It was only after she had served food to her husband that she remembered about Kaushika. A little embarrassed, she hurried to the door with the bhikshā for the Brāhmin. Kaushika had become restless by then, standing and waiting at the door.

‘What kind of behaviour is this? Why did you ask me to wait if you were going to be this late? You should have just asked me to leave,’ he admonished rather angrily. ‘Forgive me, Sir, my husband and family have always been my foremost priority. My husband came home and was extremely hungry, and I got busy attending to him. I completely forgot that I had asked you to wait. Hence, the unfortunate delay in attending to you,’ the lady responded calmly, with a tone of genuine regret. ‘What? You got so busy serving your husband that you forgot about me? Is your husband’s stature greater than that of a Brāhmin? Do you not know how to respect Brāhmins? Have you not heard how powerful Brāhmins are? Even Indra bows down before us,’ said Kaushika, fury and arrogance palpable in his voice. ‘Sir, I am not a bird who will fall dead like the one that was killed because you looked at it angrily. Let go of your anger. It will do nothing to me. I know Brāhmins well and I also respect them. I am aware of their anger and of their compassion. I really regret that

I made you wait and for that, I seek your forgiveness, even though hurting you was not my intention,’ asserted the lady with her composure intact. Then the lady continued with her wise words:

This anger is one of the biggest enemies of humans. Only those who have controlled their anger and greed are considered Brāhmins by the wise. A person who always speaks the truth, devotedly serves his guru, shows restraint even in a situation of aggression, has gained control over his senses and mind, shows compassion towards all—humans, animals and all other living beings—is indeed a Brāhmin. I am a homemaker. Nothing else takes precedence for me than looking after the welfare of my husband and my family, not even the gods. That is my priority, my responsibility and my Dharma, and I work committedly to live by my Dharma to the best of my abilities.

The result of my unflinching commitment to my Dharma is here for you to see—although I wasn’t there when the bird died due to your fury, I know about the incident. The wise insist that Dharma stands on truth and forthrightness. Some suggest that Vedas are the ultimate source of Dharma. Nonetheless, subtle are the ways of Dharma. Understanding the nature of Dharma with all its nuances is not easy nor possible for everyone. Sir, you have studied the scriptures deeply and you practise austerities that they prescribe. However, I think you do not yet understand Dharma in its true essence. If you wish to learn about it, I suggest you go to the city of Mithilā and seek an audience with a meat-seller named Dharmavyādha who resides there. He is known to have achieved control over his senses. He serves his parents with devoutness and adheres to truth. He will certainly guide you. May you be blessed. And please do pardon me if I have said or done anything that was not appropriate. A person of virtue and learning knows the scriptural injunction that women are अवध् (not to be killed or dishonoured).

By the time the lady concluded her erudite response, Kaushika’s anger had subsided. ‘Dear lady, your words are incisive and hold a lot of merit. I understand well that they will help my self-growth. Your conduct is exemplary and I will do as you say. May you be blessed,’ he replied graciously. He took the bhikshā and left, feeling a little mortified at his own ignorance and impulsiveness.