Bhagavada Vahini - Chapter 8

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Bhagavada Vahini by Sathya Sai Baba

 

Chapter 8

Dhritarâshthra Transformed

 

Dhritarâshthra and Gandhâri reached the forest, along with Vidura.

Vidura searched for a site where they could practise austerities. He

also advised them on the best means of seeking self-realisation. They

spent the days in holy company and holy thoughts.

 

Meanwhile in Hastinâpura, as soon as the sun rose, Dharmaraja woke

up, finished his ablutions and performed the ritual worship of

the 'household fire'. He gave away in charity the usual daily gifts

to the needy. He then proceeded on foot towards the palace of

Dhritarâshthra, his paternal uncle, as was his wont, for he never

began his daily round of duties without taking on his head the dust

of his feet. The king and queen were not found in their chambers. So,

he waited for some little time expecting them to return thereto,

searching for them all around, even while he was waiting anxiously

for their return.

 

He noticed however that the beds were not slept upon, the pillows did

not bear marks of use, the pieces of furniture were undisturbed. He

doubted for a moment that the rooms might have been reset by someone

after use, but, no, some fear got hold of him that they must have

left, so, he hurried towards the room of Vidura to discover that he

too had fled, his bed was unused.

 

The attendants reported that the sage did not return to his room from

the king and queen to whom he had gone. As soon as he heard this,

Dharmaraja had a shock. He went back to the palace and searched every

room with great care and his worst fears were confirmed. His hands

and feet shivered in despair, his tongue became dry, words did not

emerge from his mouth. He fell on the floor, as if life had ebbed

out. Recovering, he blabbered indistinctly. He called on Vidura, more

than once, and the officers around him became afraid of his future.

Everyone rushed to the presence, asking, " what happened? " sensing

some calamity. They stood in a circle, awaiting orders from the

master.

 

Just then, Sañjaya came there, all of a sudden. Dharmaraja rose and

caught hold of both his hands: " My parents have gone, alas, I found

their chambers empty. Why did they behave like this? Have they

disclosed anything to you, tell me. If I know where they have gone, I

could fall at their feet and crave pardon for all my failings. Tell

me quick, Sañjaya, where have they gone. " He too had no knowledge of

their whereabouts. He only knew that Vidura must be at the bottom of

the whole affair.

 

He too shed tears, and holding Dharmaraja's hands in his, he said in

a voice that shook with tremor, " lord and master, believe me, I am

speaking the truth. Of course, Dhritarâshthra used to consult me and

ask for my suggestions even in small matters but, in this affair, he

has acted without discussing with me or even informing me. I am

struck with wonder at this act. Though I was near him, I did not in

the least know about his journey. I cannot also guess why he should

have done so. I never dreamt that he would deceive me thus. He showed

me some respect and had some confidence in me. But he has played me

false. I can only say that this is my bad luck " Sañjaya started

weeping like a child.

 

Dharmaraja consoled him, saying that it was really the consequence of

his own sins, and not Sañjaya's. " The extent of our bad luck can be

gauged from this. Our father left us even while we were children;

this uncle brought us up from that tender age. We were revering him

and tending him, as both father and uncle. I must have perpetrated

some error out of ignorance, I am incapable of doing so, consciously.

Both uncle and aunt were broiling in the agony of the loss of their

hundred sons. I was eager to offer them some little peace and so

myself and my four brothers were wholeheartedly serving them so that

they might not remember the anguish of their terrible loss. We took

care that no little point was missed while serving them. There was no

dimunition of reverence or affection. Alas, that they should have

left this place! What a tragedy, what a terrible blow " , lamented

Dharmaraja.

 

" My uncle and aunt are both aged and weak, besides, they are blind. I

cannot understand how they managed to leave this place. How they must

be suffering now! Not even one attendant accompanied them. Of what

benefit are these large numbers that I have? Groping along, they

might have fallen into the Ganges, by now. O, how unlucky I am! I

fostered them both like the apple of the eye and at last, I have

allowed them to meet this tragic fate. " Dharmaraja was beating his

breast and expressing his deep distress.

 

The brothers heard the lamentation and they flew fast to the side of

the weeping Dharmaraja. Kuntî, the mother, also inquired anxiously

the reason for the grief. She peeped into the chambers and not

finding Gandhâri or her brother-in-law, she asked Sañjaya what had

happened to them. Sañjaya could not reply, he could only shed

tears. " Where have they gone, in their aged and helpless condition?

Tell me, " she cried, but no one could answer. Meanwhile, Dharmaraja

called the brothers to his side and made some gestures which they

could not understand aright. Then, he mustered courage and rose from

the ground. He managed to narrate to them the happenings since

sunrise; he asked Bhîma to send forces in all directions to search

for them and find them, for they would not have gone far, since they

were blind and could not travel fast; they must be groping their way.

 

Bhîma, Nakula and Sahadeva obeyed their brother's order and sent

troops in all directions. They rummaged all the roads, lanes and by-

lanes, peeped into wells, searched in all tanks and lakes, but, could

find no trace of the blind couple. Believing that they must have

fallen into the Ganges, they got experts to scour the banks and even

dive into the waters to discover their fate. All their efforts were

in vain. So, the Pândava brothers were sunk in grief that they could

not save the king and queen from that horrid fate.

 

Meanwhile, Dhritarâshthra and Gandhâri were joyfully contemplating on

God, seated in prescribed postures with their mind rigorously under

control. When they were thus lost in divine contemplation, and

immersed in that supreme joy, a huge forest fire swept along,

consuming them too in its fierce onslaught. Vidura had a great desire

to cast off his body at the holy centre of Prabhâsa-kshetra and so,

he escaped the fire and, filled with joy at the immense good fortune

of the couple, he continued his pilgrimage and reached the place

which he had chosen as the scene of his exit. There, he cast off his

body, which was composed of the five elements, and which therefore,

was material and momentary.