Chapter 8
Dhritarâshthra Transformed
Dhritarâshthra
and Gandhâri reached the forest, along
with Vidura. Vidura searched for a site
where they could practise austerities. He also
advised them on the best means of seeking
self-realisation. They spent the days in holy
company and holy thoughts.
Meanwhile in Hastinâpura,
as soon as the sun rose, Dharmaraja woke
up, finished his ablutions and performed the
ritual worship of the 'household fire'. He gave
away in charity the usual daily gifts to the
needy. He then proceeded on foot towards the
palace of Dhritarâshthra, his paternal
uncle, as was his wont, for he never began his
daily round of duties without taking on his head
the dust of his feet. The king and queen were
not found in their chambers. So, he waited for
some little time expecting them to return
thereto, searching for them all around, even
while he was waiting anxiously for their return.
He noticed however that the beds were not
slept upon, the pillows did not bear marks of
use, the pieces of furniture were undisturbed.
He doubted for a moment that the rooms might
have been reset by someone after use, but, no,
some fear got hold of him that they must have
left, so, he hurried towards the room of Vidura
to discover that he too had fled, his bed was
unused.
The attendants
reported that the sage did not return to his
room from the king and queen to whom he had
gone. As soon as he heard this, Dharmaraja had a
shock. He went back to the palace and searched
every room with great care and his worst fears
were confirmed. His hands and feet shivered in
despair, his tongue became dry, words did not
emerge from his mouth. He fell on the floor, as
if life had ebbed out. Recovering, he blabbered
indistinctly. He called on Vidura, more than
once, and the officers around him became afraid
of his future. Everyone rushed to the presence,
asking, "what happened?" sensing some calamity.
They stood in a circle, awaiting orders from the
master.
Just then, Sañjaya
came there, all of a sudden. Dharmaraja rose and
caught hold of both his hands: "My parents have
gone, alas, I found their chambers empty. Why
did they behave like this? Have they disclosed
anything to you, tell me. If I know where they
have gone, I could fall at their feet and crave
pardon for all my failings. Tell me quick,
Sañjaya, where have they gone." He too had no
knowledge of their whereabouts. He only knew
that Vidura must be at the bottom of the whole
affair. He too shed tears, and holding
Dharmaraja's hands in his, he said in a voice
that shook with tremor, "lord and master,
believe me, I am speaking the truth. Of course,
Dhritarâshthra used to consult me and ask for my
suggestions even in small matters but, in this
affair, he has acted without discussing with me
or even informing me. I am struck with wonder at
this act. Though I was near him, I did not in
the least know about his journey. I cannot also
guess why he should have done so. I never dreamt
that he would deceive me thus. He showed me some
respect and had some confidence in me. But he
has played me false. I can only say that this is
my bad luck" Sañjaya started weeping like a
child.
Dharmaraja
consoled him, saying that it was really the
consequence of his own sins, and not Sañjaya's.
"The extent of our bad luck can be gauged from
this. Our father left us even while we were
children; this uncle brought us up from that
tender age. We were revering him and tending
him, as both father and uncle. I must have
perpetrated some error out of ignorance, I am
incapable of doing so, consciously. Both uncle
and aunt were broiling in the agony of the loss
of their hundred sons. I was eager to offer them
some little peace and so myself and my four
brothers were wholeheartedly serving them so
that they might not remember the anguish of
their terrible loss. We took care that no little
point was missed while serving them. There was
no dimunition of reverence or affection. Alas,
that they should have left this place! What a
tragedy, what a terrible blow", lamented
Dharmaraja.
"My uncle and aunt
are both aged and weak, besides, they are blind.
I cannot understand how they managed to leave
this place. How they must be suffering now! Not
even one attendant accompanied them. Of what
benefit are these large numbers that I have?
Groping along, they might have fallen into the Ganges,
by now. O, how unlucky I am! I fostered them
both like the apple of the eye and at last, I
have allowed them to meet this tragic fate."
Dharmaraja was beating his breast and expressing
his deep distress.
The brothers heard
the lamentation and they flew fast to the side
of the weeping Dharmaraja. Kuntî, the mother,
also inquired anxiously the reason for the
grief. She peeped into the chambers and not
finding Gandhâri or her brother-in-law, she
asked Sañjaya what had happened to them. Sañjaya
could not reply, he could only shed tears.
"Where have they gone, in their aged and
helpless condition? Tell me," she cried, but no
one could answer. Meanwhile, Dharmaraja called
the brothers to his side and made some gestures
which they could not understand aright. Then, he
mustered courage and rose from the ground. He
managed to narrate to them the happenings since
sunrise; he asked Bhîma to send forces in all
directions to search for them and find them, for
they would not have gone far, since they were
blind and could not travel fast; they must be
groping their way.
Bhîma, Nakula and
Sahadeva obeyed their brother's order and sent
troops in all directions. They rummaged all the
roads, lanes and by-lanes, peeped into wells,
searched in all tanks and lakes, but, could find
no trace of the blind couple. Believing that
they must have fallen into the Ganges, they got
experts to scour the banks and even dive into
the waters to discover their fate. All their
efforts were in vain. So, the Pândava brothers
were sunk in grief that they could not save the
king and queen from that horrid fate.
Meanwhile, Dhritarâshthra
and Gandhâri were joyfully contemplating
on God, seated in prescribed postures with their
mind rigorously under control. When they were
thus lost in divine contemplation, and immersed
in that supreme joy, a huge forest fire swept
along, consuming them too in its fierce
onslaught. Vidura had a great desire to
cast off his body at the holy centre of Prabhâsa-kshetra
and so, he escaped the fire and, filled with joy
at the immense good fortune of the couple, he
continued his pilgrimage and reached the place
which he had chosen as the scene of his exit.
There, he cast off his body, which was composed
of the five elements, and which therefore, was
material and momentary. (See also S'rîmad
Bhâgavatam, Chapter 13: Dhritarâshthra quits
home)
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