25. RISHI MAARKANDEYA’S COUNSEL

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > ARJUNAABHIGAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 25 - RISHI MAARKANDEYA’S COUNSEL

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Having fallen into distress, those princes (Narendra Putraa in Sanskrit) thus obtained at last a pleasant habitation in that forest. There in that forest abounding with Shaala trees and washed by the Saraswati (river), they who were like so many Indras, began to sport themselves. The illustrious king (Yudhishthira), that bull of the Kuru race, set himself to please all the Yatees (another term for Sannyaasi), Munis and the principal Brahmanas in that forest, by offerings of excellent fruits and roots. Their Purohita, Dhaumya filled with great energy (Samruddha Teja in Sanskrit), like to a father to those princes, began to perform the sacrificial rites of Ishtee and Pitreya for the Paandavaas residing in that great forest. There came, as a guest, to the abode of the accomplished Paandavaas living in the forest after loss of their kingdom, the old Rishi Maarkandeya, possessed of intense and abundant energy (Teevra Samruddha Teja in Sanskrit).

“That bull of the Kuru race, the high-souled (Maha Manaa in Sanskrit) Yudhishthira, possessed of unrivalled strength and prowess, paid his homage to that great Muni, reverenced (Pooja in Sanskrit) by Devas and Rishis of men, and possessed of the splendour of blazing fire. That illustrious and all-knowing Muni (Maarkandeya), of unrivalled energy, seeing Draupadi, Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna, in the middle of the ascetics (Tapaswi in Sanskrit), smiled, recollecting (Sri) Rama in his mind. Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, apparently grieved at this, asked him, saying, ‘All these Tapaswis are sorry for seeing me here. Why is it that you alone smile, as if delighted, in the presence of these?’

“Maarkandeya replied, ‘O child, I am sorry too and do not smile in delight! Nor does pride born of joy possess my heart! Seeing today the calamity, I recollect (Sri) Rama, the son of Dasharatha, devoted to truth! Even that (Sri) Rama, accompanied by Lakshmana, stayed in the forest at the command of His father. O Paarthaa (Yudhishthira), I saw Him in ancient days travelling with His bow on the top of the Rishyamuka mountain (a mountain in the Dakhin, near the source of the Pampa river and the lake Pampa)! The Mahatma (Sri) Rama was like to (Lord) Indra, the lord of Yama himself, and the slayer of Namuchi (Lord Indra)! Yet that sinless one had to dwell in the forest at the command of his father, accepting it as his duty. The illustrious (Sri) Rama was equal to Shakra (Lord Indra) in prowess, and invincible in battle. Yet He had to range the forest renouncing all pleasures! Therefore no one should act in an Adharmic manner, saying, ‘I am mighty!’

“Kings Naabhaaga, Bhageeratha and others, having subjugated by truth this world bounded by the seas, (finally) obtained, O child (Yudhishthira), all the region hereafter. Therefore no one should act in an Adharmic manner, saying, ‘I am mighty!’

“O noble of men (Yudhishthira), the virtuous and truthful (Satya Vrata in Sanskrit) king of Kaashi and Karoosha was called a mad dog for having renounced his territories and riches! Therefore no one should act in an Adharmic manner, saying, ‘I am mighty!’

“O best of men, O Paarthaa (Yudhishthira), the seven righteous Rishis (Sapta Rishis in Sanskrit), for having observed the ordinance (Vidhi in Sanskrit) prescribed by the Creator (Dhaatraa in Sanskrit) Himself in the Vedas, blaze in the sky. Therefore no one should act in an Adharmic manner, saying, ‘I am mighty!’

“Look, O king (Yudhishthira), the mighty elephants, huge as mountain cliffs and furnished with tusks, do not cross, O noble of men, the laws of the Creator! Therefore no one should act in an Adharmic manner, saying, ‘I am mighty!’

“O foremost of monarchs (Yudhishthira), see all the creatures acting according to their species, as ordained by the Creator. Therefore no one should act in an Adharmic manner, saying, ‘I am mighty!’

“O Paarthaa (Yudhishthira), in Satya, Dharma, proper behaviour, and modesty, you have surpassed all creatures, and your fame and energy are as bright as fire or the Sun! Firm in your promises (Pratignam in Sanskrit), O illustrious one (Mahanubhaava in Sanskrit), having passed in the forest your painful exile, you will again, O king (Yudhishthira), snatch from the Kauravas your blazing prosperity with the help of your own energy (Tejas in Sanskrit)!’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Having spoken these words to Yudhishthira (seated) in the middle of Tapaswis with friends, the Maharishi (Maarkandeya) having also saluted Dhaumya and all the Paandavaas set out in a northerly direction!’”