Miscellaneous - Religion   

Human behaviour

CHENNAI : To err is human nature but a noble person admits his fault as soon as he becomes aware of it and also makes an effort not to repeat it. But there are some who even when they know their shortcomings do not admit to them, and also cannot tolerate those who are virtuous. The Mahabharata portrays this wide difference in human nature through the character of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, especially Duryodana. There are many situations in the epic to study their contrasting nature and one such context is the banishment of the Pandavas to the forest after Yudhishthira lost everything in the game of dice.

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said Sage Maitreya visited Hastinapura after meeting the Pandavas in the Kamyaka forest. He questioned Dhritarashtra why he allowed such injustice in his rule, and summoned Duryodana and advised him to make amends to his cousins. Duryodana did not only heed his counsel but he also offended the great sage by his nonchalant attitude, and he cursed that he would meet his death when Bhima broke his thigh. The king tried to pacify him but it was of no avail except that he mitigated it saying that if Duryodana made peace with the Pandavas the curse would become ineffective. But it was not to be for Duryodana could not tolerate to see them live peacefully, much less prosper. No one could influence him to reform his ways.

The Pandavas, on the other hand, faced the vicissitudes in their lives with fortitude. Yudhishthira being a stickler for Dharma provided the inspiration to his brothers and Draupadi when they wanted revenge for the hardships they faced for no fault of theirs by advising them to be patient. That God stands by His devotees who are virtuous can be seen from the manner Lord Krishna graced them during difficulties. He who is the end to be attained by intense penance instead rushed to the side of the Pandavas in the forest to offer solace to them. Draupadi's grief became intense when she saw Krishna and her brother Dhrishtadyumna. The Lord consoled her and vowed then that He would redress the humiliation meted to her.

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