The Hindu : Charity must be given at once

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 30, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Charity must be given at once

CHENNAI MAY 30 . The Mahabharata has several heroes and each one becomes paramount when seen from the perspective of his role. Generally it is described as the depiction of the lives of the Pandavas and the Kauravas but without Lord Krishna they would lose their importance and the epic be just a narration of royal intrigue and feud. One must have insight to understand the significance of the characters and the episodes depicted in it. It is recounted traditionally that very few people have really comprehended this literary masterpiece besides its composer Veda Vyasa. It is also hailed as a work of success like the Puranas because it depicts that Dharma triumphs ultimately.

On the surface the Lord's role may not appear crucial in the unfolding of the storyline but this does not negate His importance. So one cannot dismiss something because it is not apparent. The portion of an iceberg, which remains below the water level, is more than what is seen on the surface and hence one has to take that into account while considering its size. Similarly Krishna's imperceptible role is considerable in relation to what one can glean from a cursory reading of the epic. The study of the Mahabharata would be incomplete without understanding the significance of each personality and event in it, said Swami Vidya Sagara Madhava Theertha in his discourse.

It is possible, for instance, to project Bheema as the "hero of action" if we take into consideration his prowess and valour as he was responsible for the death of the majority of the Kauravas in the battlefield. Just as an officer gets the credit for all the work and effort of his subordinates, so also Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas is projected as the hero among them and hailed as Dharmaraja for his allegiance to Dharma.

But there was an occasion when Bheema excelled him in action when a person approached Yudhishthira for help to perform a sacrifice. As it was late in the night he told him to come early next day. He turned to Bheema next who immediately removed the diamond bracelets he was wearing and gave them to him thereby exemplifying the truth that charity must be given without any delay because the mind being fickle there is every possibility of having second thoughts about one's decision.

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