Dharma must not be compromised

CHENNAI, AUG. 17. Scriptural texts like the Mahabharata deal with not only topics pertaining to spiritual life but also a wide range of subjects relevant to worldly life. The world is the stage for the human soul to evolve towards the goal of liberation and birth here is not an accident but the result of Karma acquired in countless births. It is by experiencing joys and sorrows that the bonded soul works out its Karma which is necessary to be liberated from further births. Karma being the determining factor of an individual's birth, it makes every human life unique. Dharma is the foundation of the entire existence and it is incumbent on every person to follow it according to the norms laid down for his station in life. The epic throws light on the nuances of Dharma at every opportunity.

When the Kaurava army attacked the city of Virata in the absence of the king who was lured away by the army of Susarma, only his son Uttara Kumara was present. Though he was incapable of heading an army he started bragging that he could fight like Arjuna if he had a good charioteer. Draupadi who was in disguise as Sairandhri overheard it and became angry that he had the audacity to compare himself to Arjuna. Arjuna who had disguised himself as a woman, Brihannala, calmed her and asked her to tell princess Uttara that he would help by becoming his charioteer. The prince instead of appreciating this gesture ridiculed the idea saying that he would not have a charioteer who was neither a man nor a woman.

Sairandhri convinced him that in an emergency like that there was no room to think of such small matters of etiquette and that he should conduct himself as behoved a Kshatriya (ruler). Brihannala was summoned and Uttara Kumara had no choice but to put up a brave face and set out for war. But the moment they neared the outskirts of the city seeing the huge army assembled there the prince was struck dumb with fear. Brihannala, on the other hand, pushed on and started identifying the important warriors of the Kaurava army. Terrorised, Uttara Kumara pleaded that they should turn back as he could not face such great warriors single-handed, said Sri S.Natarajan in his discourse.

It was at this juncture that Arjuna explained the Dharma of a ruler to the prince and told him ``You are a Kshatriya. Please do not bring disgrace to your race. Death on the battlefield is better than this flight.'' Even when this did not bring him to his senses Arjuna told him that he would fight making him his charioteer and defeated the Kauravas.

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