The Emotional Struggles of Dhritarashtra: Attachment, Fear, and Avoidance

What was the dispute between the Pandavas and the Kauravas? The Pandavas believed that their right was based on justice and righteousness. The Kauravas thought, 'Veerbhogya Vasundhara'—the earth is for the brave. A Kshatriya gains land only through his own strength, and it has always been this way. There is no matter of justice or righteousness here. The land belongs to the strong. Dhritarashtra was neutral in this war; he was not on the battlefield. Yet, he had concerns about the outcome of the war because the result would affect him too. It was not that he was impartial; after all, he had sown the seed of this war. The Kuru dynasty was one, so who divided it into Kauravas and Pandavas? Dhritarashtra did, due to his attachment to his sons.

Dhritarashtra asks Sanjay, 'What happened there between my sons and the Pandavas, in that sacred field of Kurukshetra?' When Dhritarashtra asks this question, he has two kinds of fears in his mind. One is the fear of defeat in war, the fear of his sons losing their status and honor. The second is the fear of righteousness—he knows very well that the Kauravas have committed adharma (unrighteousness). This would bring consequences not only in this life but also in the afterlife. This wouldn't just affect his sons; it would affect Dhritarashtra too. Whatever happened, it could not have happened without Dhritarashtra's consent, so he would have to bear the consequences as well. Watching adharma happen silently or giving permission for it when one has the power to stop it is also a sin. Saying 'I have nothing to do with this' is also a sin, and one would have to bear its consequences. Here, Dhritarashtra could have directly stopped the adharma. As a king, as a father, he didn't do it; hence, there is the fear of righteousness. If defeated, what will the Pandavas do to me, who have even slain Bhishma Pitamah? What will they do to me? These two kinds of fears gripped Dhritarashtra.

Dhritarashtra asked many questions to Sanjay. Among the warriors on both sides, who was the first to rush into battle filled with joy? Who had enthusiasm in their hearts? Who appeared dejected? Which side's soldiers were wearing garlands and fragrant flowers? Because that side must have believed they were about to perform a noble deed, like a holy ritual. They thought of the war as a righteous act and came to fight. Which side's soldiers had both enthusiasm and generosity in their speech? Sanjay says both sides were adorned with garlands and fragrances. The Kauravas also considered themselves righteous. Both sides were filled with joy and were well-prepared for war. They were arranged in formations. When the fight began, there was chaos and conflict on both sides. Instruments like conches and drums were being played. Above all, the roar of the warriors from both sides could be heard. Along with the soldiers' roars, the sounds of the elephants could also be heard.

Dhritarashtra felt regret—what happened, what did he do? This regret was because Dhritarashtra himself knew that adharma (unrighteousness) had occurred, that injustice had happened. For him, this war was only about saving his kingdom and land. For those for whom this was a righteous war, they would think—if we win, we will get a kingdom earned through righteousness. If we lose, we will still attain heaven for a hero's death and gain prosperity by standing with righteousness.

Dhritarashtra had another fear. Kurukshetra is a sacred land, a holy place; divine forces are powerful here. Would this place ever support my unrighteous sons? 'Mamakaah Pandavaschaiva'—Dhritarashtra was wise; he wasn't an ignorant villain. He was intelligent, experienced. Yet, how did he reach this situation? The answer lies in this: 'Mamakaah Pandavaschaiva'—this is mine, that is yours. The more attachment you grow with your sons and wives, the more you will be stuck in the mire. There will be a constriction of perspective, a rise of lack of discretion. As time goes on, you won't know what you can do and what you cannot. There will be unrest in the mind. Thoughts of how to snatch from others, how to save from others will create unrest in the mind. Despite being wise, Dhritarashtra's intellect was destroyed by this attachment.

Learnings -

1. Value of Righteousness and Justice: The Pandavas believed in fighting for justice. They followed the path of dharma, or righteousness. This teaches us to uphold ethical values. Even when facing difficulties, we should choose what is right. Justice and fairness should guide our actions.
2. Consequences of Actions: Every action has a result, good or bad. Dhritarashtra feared the outcomes of the war. His actions led to the war's start. This teaches us to think before acting. We should be aware that actions bring consequences.
3. Attachment Leading to Poor Choices: Dhritarashtra's strong attachment to his sons affected his judgment. He supported them even when he knew they were wrong. This shows how deep emotional ties can cloud thinking and lead to poor decisions.
4. Fear Affecting Decisions: Dhritarashtra's fear of losing power made him anxious. This fear prevented him from making clear and strong decisions. It shows how fear can make someone indecisive and unsure about their actions.
5. Avoiding Responsibility: Dhritarashtra often avoided taking direct action against wrongdoing. He tried to distance himself from the conflict. This behavior shows his struggle to face the consequences of his choices and his tendency to avoid taking responsibility.

Knowledge Bank

Greatness of Ramarajya

In Ramarajya, dharma is directly upheld, and the virtue of a devoted wife is firmly established. There is immense brotherly love, devotion to teachers, and a respectful relationship between masters and employees. Unrighteous acts are strictly punished. Morality is personified and evident.

What is the difference between Itihasa and Purana?

The definition of Itihasa is इतिह आस्ते अस्मिन् - it contains advice for leading a meaningful life. They are based on real incidents of the past. The definition of Purana is पुरातनवृत्तान्तकथनम् - Puranas are narrations of past incidents. Itihasas are centered around a particular theme; Ramayana around Rama's life and Mahabharata around the Kuru Vamsha. A book can be called Purana only if it contains the following five: 1. Sarga - description of primary creation. 2. Pratisarga - description of secondary creation. 3. Vamsha - description of important Vamshas such as Surya Vamsha and Chandra Vamsha. 4. Manvantara - description of the 14 Manvantaras, Manus, Devas, Rishis, and avataras. 5. Vamshanucharita - description of the important persons in the Vamshas. पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम् - Puranas should have these five characteristics.