Bhishma Instructs Yudhisthira Maharaja, Part 19 Maharaja Yudhisthira said, Grandsire, in spite of hearing your wonderful narrations, I have not been able to give up my grief and attain peace of mind. How can mere theoretical instructions on the subject of spiritual elevation help me when I have already brought condemnation upon myself by becoming the cause of a great massacre? Oh! What could be more distressing than to see my grandfather lying on a bed of arrows as a consequence of my greed! How will I ever be able to become freed from the results of my grievous sins? To reply, Bhishma told the following story. There was once an old lady named Gautami, who was noted for her great patience and mental satisfaction. One day, Gautamis son died after being bitten by a snake. To please the ascetic lady, a bird hunter named Arjunaka captured the snake. After binding it securely, the hunter brought the serpent to Gautami and inquired, Pious lady, how should I kill this culprit? Gautami replied, Ignorant hunter, release the serpent! My son will not be brought back to life by killing this snake! Why should you unnecessarily perform a sinful act? The hunter argued, Gautami, persons like you value peace of mind and equanimity very highly and so claim that everything is caused by Time or Destiny. But, practical persons like me take revenge against wrong-doers and thus mitigate our grief. Therefore, I will kill this snake! Gautami countered, Cruel hunter, the death of my son, like everyone elses, was predestined as a result of his previous actions. For this reason, I cannot sanction the killing of this serpent. Furthermore, elevated persons never allow themselves to become disturbed by calamities. They forgive wrongdoers, knowing that resentment brings on more suffering. The hunter said, My dear lady, a person gains great merit by killing an enemy or an envious and abominable creature. Gautami replied, This may be true, but greater merit is gained by releasing an enemy that has been captured. Still, the hunter argued, If this envious serpent is released, others will be put into danger. Gautami remained adamant, and so the hunter said, Indra earned great merit by killing Vritrasura and so you should allow me to destroy this snake without misgivings. And yet, in spite of the hunters numerous arguments, Gautami did not waver in her views. The bound-up serpent then said, Hunter, I should not be blamed for killing this womans child, for I had bitten him under the direction of Mrityu. If anyone is at fault, it is Death personified, because I was only the instrument of action. The hunter replied, Serpent, even as an instrument of action you are to be held responsible, just as in the manufacture of a clay pot, the potters tools and wheel are considered causes. The snake replied, The potters wheel and tools are not independent causes, and neither was I. Therefore, I cannot be held responsible for the boys death. As the argument continued, Mrityu personally came there and said, Serpent, you are falsely blaming me for this childs death. I had not independently ordered you to bite him. I had done so at the command of Kala. Therefore, neither you nor I are the actual cause of the boys death. Whatever action, or abstention from action, that a creature does, is done under the influence of Kala. In fact, everything is created and destroyed by Kala and thus your accusation is most unjust! If I am to be blamed, you will also become implicated. The snake replied, Mrityu, I do not blame you, nor excuse you. I had simply stated that whatever I had done was under your direction. As for blaming Kala, it is beyond my understanding to judge whether this is proper or not. The snake turned to the hunter and said, My dear sir, after hearing Mrityus words, you should release me. But, the hunter replied, Quite the contrary! I now consider both you and Mrityu guilty as conspirators. Instead of letting you go, I intend to kill you both! At this, Mrityu objected, This is not right! Both of us have acted under Kalas direction. Just then, Kala arrived and declared, Neither I, Mrityu nor the snake should be considered responsible for the death of any creature! The real cause of this childs death is karma (action) that he performed in the past. Just as a man can take a lump of clay and shape it in any way he likes, we can mould our destiny by our actions, Upon hearing this, Gautami said, Yes! This is the actual fact! My child has died as the result of his past sins. Similarly, it is due to my past actions that I am now experiencing the death of my dear son. Let the snake be released at once! The hunter had finally became convinced and so he gave up his anger toward the serpent. The old lady also felt highly pleased in mind by hearing this fascinating debate. Kala, Mrityu and the serpent were then granted permission to leave so that they could travel to their respective destinations. Bhishma urged, Yudhisthira, you should also give up your grief. Your anguish is caused by falsely considering yourself to be the cause of the battle that took place at Kurukshetra. Maharaja Yudhisthira became somewhat consoled by hearing this story.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 05:06:05 +0000