26. BAKA’S COUNSEL

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > ARJUNAABHIGAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 26 - BAKA’S COUNSEL

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘While the illustrious Paandavaas continued to dwell in the Dwaita forest, that great forest became filled with Brahmanas. The lake within that forest, ever resounding with Vedic recitations (Brahma Ghosha in Sanskrit), became sacred (Punya in Sanskrit) like a second Brahmaloka. The sounds of the Yajus, the Rigs, the Saamas, and other words uttered by Aachaaryaas, were exceedingly delightful to hear. The Brahma Ghosha of Brahmanas mingling with the twang of bows of Paarthaas (Paandavaas), produced a union of the Brahmana and Kshatriya customs that was highly beautiful.

“One evening the Baka of the Daalbhya family addressed Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, the Kaunteya (meaning son of Kunti) seated in the middle of Rishis, saying, ‘Look, O chief of the Kurus (Yudhishthira), O Paarthaa, the homa time is come of these Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities (Tapaswinaam in Sanskrit), the time when the (sacred) fires have all been lit up! These all, of rigid vows (Druta Vrata in Sanskrit), protected by you, are performing the rites of Dharma in this sacred region! The descendants of (Rishi) Bhrigu and (Rishi) Angirasa, along with those of (Rishi) Vasishtaa and Kaashyapa, the illustrious sons of (Rishi) Agastyaa, the offspring of Atri all of excellent vows (Uttama Vrata in Sanskrit), in fact, all the foremost Brahmanas of the whole, are now united with you! Listen, O son of the Kuru race born of Kunti (Yudhishthira), yourself with your brothers, to the words I speak to you!

“As fire aided by the wind consumes the forest, so Brahma energy mingling with Kshatriya energy, and Kshatriya might mingling with Brahma power, might, when they gathered force, consume all enemies! O child (Yudhishthira), he (a Kshatriya) should never desire to be without Brahmanas who wishes to control this and the other world for longer period! Indeed, a king slays his enemies having obtained a Dwija familiar with Dharma and Arthaa and freed from passion (Moham in Sanskrit) and foolishness. King Bali cherishing his subjects practised those Dharma that lead to salvation and did not know of any other means in this world than Brahmanas. It was for this that all the desires of Virochana’s son, the Asura (Bali), were ever satisfied, and his wealth was ever inexhaustible. Having obtained the whole earth through the aid of the Brahmanas, he (Bali) met with destruction when he began to practise wrong on them! This earth with her wealth never adores long as her lord a Kshatriya living without a Brahmana! The earth, however, encircled by the sea, bows to him who is ruled by a Brahmana and taught his duties by him! Like an elephant in battle without his driver, a Kshatriya without Brahmanas decreases in strength! The Brahmana’s sight is without comparison and the Kshatriya’s might (Bala in Sanskrit) also is unparalleled. When these combine, the whole earth itself cheerfully yields to such a combination. As fire becoming mightier with the wind consumes straw and wood, so kings with Brahmanas consume all enemies! An intelligent Kshatriya, in order to gain what does not have, and increase what he has, should take counsel of Brahmanas! Therefore, O Kaunteya (Yudhishthira), for obtaining what you do not have and increasing what you have, and spending what you have on proper objects and persons, you keep with you a Brahmana of fame, of knowledge of the Vedas, of wisdom and experience! O Yudhishthira, you have ever highly regarded the Brahmanas. It is for this that your fame is great and blazes in the three worlds!’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Then all those Brahmanas who were with Yudhishthira worshipped Baka of the Daalbhya race and having heard him praise Yudhishthira became highly pleased. Dwaipaayana (Vyaasa), Naarada, Son of Jamadagnya (Parashuraama), and Prithusravaa; Indradyumna, Bhaaluki, Kritacheta, and Sahasrapaat; Karnasravaa, Munja, Lavanaashwa, and Kaashyapa; Haareeta, Sthunakarna, Agniveshya, and Shaunaka; Kritavaak, Suvaak, Brihadashwa, and Vibhaavasu; Urdhvaretaa, Vrishaamitra, Suhotraa, and Hotravaahana; these and many other Brahmanas of rigid vows (Samshita Vrata in Sanskrit) then adored Yudhishthira like Rishis adoring Purandara (Lord Indra) in heaven!’”