Thursday, December 1, 2011

Mahabharata/Jaya - Rajasuya Yagna and Duryodhana's insult

"Blind man's son is blind as well". Thus said Draupadi pointing towards and laughing at Duryodhana who had stepped into the water thinking it was a solid floor.

Krishna instructed the Pandava's now to perform the Rajasuya Yagna - a symbolic aknwoledgement of his sovereignty. Krishna indicated that they will have to first kill Jarasandha, the might king of Magadha, to achieve this. Krishna advised that this is not possible through a war but only through a wrestling match. Krishna, accompanied by Arjuna and Bhima, disguised as Brahmins went to meet Jarasandha. King Jarasandha, though tyranical, still used to respect brahmins and asked them to place their wishes. Krishna challenged him to a wrestling match. Jarasandha realized that they were not brahmins and yet he chose Bhima as his contender for the match to maintain equality. In the wrestling match, Bhima defeated Jarasandha by tearing his body into 2 halves and throwing the body to opposite directions as hinted by Krishna. Of course, this might be slightly elaborated but it would mean that Krishna had coached Bhima on the weak points of Jarasandha. Then they freed the 86 kings who were jailed by Jarasandha to perform a huge human sacrifice. Jarasandha's target was 100. Then he crowned Jarasandha's son as the king and left the place. This shows Krishna's political views. He had readily moved to Dwaraka to avoid any wars with Magadha. But now with a witty strategy and might of Bhima, he had got rid of Jarasandha and gave justice to the 86 kings who were jailed as well as prevented the future atrocities that would have happened. Bhishma too was in the same era but he never interfered when all such atrocities were happening. For Krishna, there were no regional boundaries. He ensured that tyrannical rulers should be punished and law and order be restored. For Krishna, such limitations does not stop him on the way of righteousness.   

During the Rajasuya yagna, all the kings were invited. As per tradition, the Pandavas selected the guest of honour as Krishna. King Shishupala of Chedi protested. It is said that at the time of Sishupala's birth, astrologers had predicted that Krishna would kill him. Listening to Sishupala's mothers pleas then, Krishna had promised her that Krishna will forgive Sishupala hundred times. Now at the ceremony, Sishupala was shouting insults after insults. Krishna even warned him at the 99th insult but Sishupala gave no heed. Sishupala had only finished his 100th insult when Krishna killed him with Sudarshana Chakra. This in a way indicates that knowing the future is not enough. If it has to happen, it will happen. Sishupala's mother must have thought she got a reprive but Sishuapala's nature would not allow it. 

During his stay in Indraprastha after the coronation, Duryodhana was taking a tour of the Palace of illussions.  It was a mind-boggling piece of architecture. Of the many illusions, was water arranged to look like a solid floor. Duryodhana did not realise this and he fell into the water. From one of the balconies, Draupadi laughed out and mindlessly uttered the insult mentioned above. Should we really insult or laugh at someone's accident? Also, should we think twice before what we speak? Draupadi had insulted Karna and Duryodhana twice in separate occasions. Her actions were to hunt her down for this in the future.


  1. "Blind man's son is blind as well" - This comment is not mentioned in mahabharat (original by Vyas). It is the imagination of script writer in B.R. Chopras Mahabharat Serial.
    Infact the original incident in Ved Vyas's mahabharat is that seeing duryodhan fall some lady servants (dasi's) started laughing and Dropadi ran to stop them from insulting Duryodhan and by the time duryodhan got up he saw no one but draupadi so he concluded (falsly) that it was draupadi who was laughing.
    If you think I am wrong then please point me to exact shlokas where it is mentioned.

    1. You correct that in the literal translation it is not there but it is incorrect to assume that BR CHopra put it in the serial. Mahabharata has many different versions and different folklore and this forms a part of it. At the moment, no one can pin point if the Mahabharata as we know it is exactly how Ved Vyas had written. It has been written, modified across different centuries and societies...

    2. Also I did want to capture as much folklore as I can while I was compiling this blog. Hence, wrote it this way. Maybe I could have highlighted it.