Miscellaneous - Religion   

Divine intervention religion

CHENNAI: Scriptures, the Puranas and the Itihasas emphasise the complex and subtle features of dharma that is broadly defined as the moral and ethical basis of life. Being a binding code on all individuals who are placed in different contexts of time and place its complexities multiply making it difficult to make a comprehensive definition of what constitutes dharma. The need to ponder on ethical values becomes a necessity when dharma is not upheld and this is highlighted in the episode in the Mahabharata wherein Draupadi is insulted in the royal court, said Srimati Prema Pandurang in a lecture. Draupadi’s pertinent question to the august assemblage that included Bhishma, Drona and others challenges the apparent fairness of the situation when she was pledged by one who had already lost himself in the game. When her doubt remained unresolved, she could only claim that the eternal dharma was lost among the Kauravas.

The event leading to this scene was also mired in injustice and fraud when the royal court, supposed to be a place of dignity, had become a casino and the blind king Dritarashtra had become blind to justice as well. The cause of the climax of the insult meted out to Draupadi could be pinpointed to Yudhishtira’s weakness for gambling. Carried away by the intoxication of the game, he wagered and lost all that he possessed — his lands, kingdom, brothers, even himself, and eventually Draupadi, who was dragged to the court by her hair, a special insult since a married woman’s hair was sacred. Karna joined in this insult to Draupadi, hoping to settle a score with her who had made fun of his birth. Vidhura alone, afraid of the repercussions of the act, warned the Kauravas that they were only tightening the noose on their necks by this.

When Draupadi’s helpless appeals to put an end to this shameful act went unheeded and the Pandava princes were unable to intervene on her behalf, she earnestly appealed to Lord Krishna for help.

That the Lord is the unfailing support for those who seek His succour with unflinching faith is visibly demonstrated when Draupadi’s dignity was protected with an unending supply of cloth.

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