Reading 21:- Mrityunjaya- Revenge- Can it be a solution to deep hidden scars?

 We all know Draupadi in Mahabharata, not because, she was born out of yajna to Raja Drupada or she had been blessed with a fragrant body but because of heinous crime committed by Kauravas against her- shaming her in front of entire assembly hall.

This event- disrobing of Draupadi is way too close to my heart. It’s heart wrenching all together.

Women even at that period were considered the property of men- that’s the reason, so called – dharmaraj yudhisthira staked her in the game of dice and nothing much has changed today, as in most of the places- women’s status is still the same. Shakti we refer to her, only for namesake, in most of the homes, they are still considered as men’s property.

The book Mrityunjaya has vivid description of the entire event and every time, I read, this event, series of thoughts start taking place.

I could have never expected anything from the barbaric Duryodhan and Dussashan- they are the blind tendencies signifying epitome of jealousy, shamelessness, and even lower than animals because even animals in their nature alone have the sensitivity but not them.

The thing that really upsets me is Karna and his indifference. His inner turmoil while going through the entire event in the hall and yet, choosing to remain silent.

Karna’s inner state exemplified of the state where lies, revenge, hatred simply dominates one’s strength.

Karna’s piercing words to her can never be justified. And I wished deeply that in that assembly – in front of entire hall full of brave warriors, if only, Karna would have protected Draupadi against all bitterness against her.

I was thinking- only being addressed as the son of a charioteer, Karna forgot all his real strength, his devotion to Sun God that he simply shamed Draupadi with his words of revenge. That was the moment that made me realise how at times, being hurted by our dear ones, all kind of low thoughts come in our mind and we simply want to vent all of it, without thinking of the consequence at all.

If there is stain in the character of Karna, its his act against Draupadi and Abhimanyu. I am convinced totally, by reading Mahabharata, that no matter, how deep scars people around us, this society give us- revenge is not the solution. Revenge only deepens one’s wounds , it doesn’t heal those wounds at all.

“Revenge is not an action, it is a reaction. When two proud personalities clash, a chain reaction starts. The world describes it as revenge or cruelty.”

The only man in that assembly turned out to be Vikarna- brother of Duryodhan, who atleast stood up and raised his voice against Duhshasana but in vain. Not only Draupadi, the event is a slap to entire women clan that day, and even today, where still- woman and man are talked about and seen as two and never been seen as simply human beings.

Real warriors are the ones, who at their vulnerable position, maintain one’s inner strength and doesn’t become the slave of evil acts. 

I have so wished, that Karna’s real strength, true nature, would have won his inner turmoil in that moment . His real self that is beyond all the caste , beyond all the external power. I have wished all the while, that Karna could have understood the hint of Sri Krishna when he told him that a fiercely self-willed lion, if placed among a herd of sheep, sometimes, forgets his own self and starts behaving like a sheep himself” Karna- a being like no other, the one who constantly spends his entire life in search of his own self, forgets his inner true self, becomes sheep in the company of Duryodhan and acts like him in that assembly that day, and regrets all his life for this.

I was somehow relieved when Karna particularly asked Krishna to ask Draupadi to forgive him. In fact, Karna's promise to Mother Kunti , not to harm any of his sons except Arjuna was in a way his penance towards the act committed by him against Draupadi.

But then, some incidents stay written in the pages of history forever.

Source- Quora