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Fallout of revenge religion

CHENNAI: The Mahabharata mirrors the shades and consequences of human emotions and revenge plays an important role in the lives of many characters in the epic. The ethical basis of revenge remains fuzzy as the urge for revenge rises in an individual as a reaction to what is perceived as a wrong act of another and gains the appearance of being a justifiable act under such subjective conviction. It manifests itself in the form of returning the injury or insult to the person who is believed to be the cause of it. That revenge can spur people to any extent is exemplified in how friendship turned into enmity between Drona and Drupada, setting a chain reaction that generated further ill will and hatred, said Srimati Prema Pandurang in a discourse.

During their shared childhood, Drupada and Drona had been thick friends, and Drona had made Drupada promise to share his fortunes with him. When Drupada later became the king of the land of Panchala, Drona sought his friend for alleviating his poverty. Drupada mocked him for attaching importance to what had transpired in their days of youth. He pointed out that his kingly status demanded friendship or enmity from equals. This angered Drona who nurtured the idea of taking revenge on Drupada. He taught archery to the Kurus and the Pandava princes and wanted them to humble Drupada in return. Arjuna managed to fulfil his master’s wish and brought the defeated Drupada to Drona. Drona offered half the kingdom to his friend and wished to continue the friendship. But Drupada did not wish to end the feud at this point. Drupada performed a Yagna and was blessed with a son (Drishtaduymna) and a daughter (Draupadi). Dhrishtadyumna finally killed Drona while Drupada himself was killed by Drona during the war.

Similarly anger can fuel the feeling of revenge as is seen in the case of Duryodhana, who is unable to accept the opulence and grandeur of Indraprastha. As if to feed his revenge, Bhima and Draupadi mocked him when the polished floors of the palace appearing like water had misled his judgment.

A small spark was able to cause such a huge conflagration as the Kurukshetra war through the game of dice.

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