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Essence of dharma religion

CHENNAI: The essence of dharma or righteousness is complex and the Mahabharata reveals many facets of it through a variety of characters, situations, expositions, discussions and doubts that are presented in the epic. Among the expositions of dharma, the one by Bhishma to Yudhishtira in the presence of Lord Krishna, in his last moments when he lay on the bed of arrows is comprehensive and summative, said Sri Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal in a lecture on the Mahabharata.

Bhishma’s experience and wisdom were so vast that his teachings are universal and invaluable. Not only was Bhishma a great scholar but also a great devotee of the Lord. He was an embodiment of tremendous sacrifice and Vairagya. He got his father married to Satyavati by relinquishing not merely the kingdom but also the pleasures of a married life to ensure that Satyavati’s children will rule the kingdom. He renounced wealth, fame, kingdom and married life that appear valuable but have limitations because of their ephemeral quality and established that he was a self-realised soul.

Yudhishtira was overcome with great shame for the slaughter wrought upon by the war, of those who deserved his worship, his preceptors, relatives and kinsmen. In a deeply distressed state he had sought Lord Krishna for solace. Since the profound wisdom of Bhishma, gained from Brihaspati, had to be preserved for the future generations, the Lord took Yudhishtira to him. Bhishma recalled the sight in the battlefield at the inception of the war when the Lord had taken away the lives of the enemies by His mere look. He claimed that he was alive only because of the boon from his father Santanu that allowed him to choose the time of his death. Bhishma acknowledged the Supreme Godhead of Lord Krishna and was grateful for His gesture of even breaking His vow and taking up arms in the battlefield.

Bhishma taught that non-violence, truth, forgiveness and conquest over anger are the characteristics of dharma and that only by following the path of dharma one can gain happiness. The best dharma is the ability to show mercy and compassion towards all beings and this alone is conducive to the good of all.

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