Week 7 Reading notes: PDE of Mahabharata Part C

 As the Pandavas were in exile in the forest they received a visit from Krishna, the god of compassion, tenderness, and love. 

Draupadi was hurting because of the humiliation (the gambling) caused by the "evil-hearted" Duryodhana. She was upset because not a single one of the brothers stood up for their own wife. Krishna began to comfort her and told her that she would soon be a queen again. 

Krishna tells Yudhishthira, one of the Pandava brothers, that this situation would have never arose if he was not occupied battling in a war against demons. He then returns to his kingdom and Draudapi continued to express herself. 

She expresses to Yudhishthira her thoughts over the memories she has like her old bed and her chairs of ivory. Ultimately, she explains to the king that she is hurt badly and wants to seek vengeance because forgiveness isn't for the present. 

Yudhisthira begins to lesson Draupadi. He tells her that "anger is sinful; it is the cause of destruction." He also explains that each person should be forgiving because forgiveness is holiness, as it is Brahman. 

Draupadi begins to question the faith in religion. She wants to know why the person who has treated her so poorly, like Duryodhana, is doing well, happy, and rewarded. while she is in "grief and sore distress. She questions the gods by asking how they could allow such inequality. 

Yudhisthira explains to Draudapi that it is mystery as to why the gods do what they do, but to never doubt religion or the gods. 

She responds by explaining that "success comes to him who acts, and success depends on time and circumstance" was the way a brahmin taught her. 

Bhima, the second born of the Pandavas, interrupts the conversation between Yudhishthira and Draupadi. He presses Yudhishthira with weakness and states, "battle is the highest virtue for a kshatriya."

Yudhishthira explains that he has pledged to remain in exile and it can't be violated. He also says to Bhima, "virtue is greater than lie and prosperity in this world; it is the way to celestial bliss." In essence, heavenly happiness. 

Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata: Krishna's Visit from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie. 1913. 

Krishna from Wikipedia.