We have so far, found unique woman characters in Ramayana , who guided humanity in the path of Dharma. In Mahabharatha also, we can find many woman characters , and among them Gandhari is discussed in this issue. It is observed that the conversation of the epics into religious literature in due course of time changed many characters into superhuman nature and they became Devis or Goddesses.
EPICS with ETHICS
Maha Bharatham emphazises that unscrupulous and unethical conduct , duplicity and evil deeds never flourishes. We can achieve perfection and reach supreme state only by Dharmam and Sathyam.Vidura's intellectual ability, Kunti's sagacity, Gandhari's chastity, are some of the directory of rules ,laws and conditions with devotion as its foundation is projected well in Mahabharatham.
Mahabharatha ,is an epic with lot of ethics for our day today life. In Virataparva, it is stressed as "Truth, self -control, ascetism, generosity, non violence, constancy in virtue, are means of success ,not caste or family". Adiparva, highlights as "Accumulation of pleasures cannot give us happiness. Desire for happiness does not cause by the new enjoyment of pleasures" .In Vanaparva, it tells as " Nothing finite can satisfy the hunger for the infinite. It may be necessary for the sake of Dharma. True joy entails suffering." "The law of truth speaking has no intrinsic value , since truthfulness means love of humanity which is the only unconditioned end .
POWER OF WOMAN
Gandhari , was daughter of Subakla, king of Gandhara. Her husband was Dhritharashtra , a blind king of Hastinapur. Gandhari ,When her husband was not getting the pleasure of seeing, she felt that she should also follow the same displeasure, and so closed her eyes with cloth till her death. Such a penance is unique in history. Though Gandhari remained faithful to her husband , and won the favor of one and all in the house of her in-laws, she had the negligence of maternal duties.
Gandhari was very just and fearless speaker. When Pandavas were into the game of dice again and again, she raised her protest and cautioned Dhritharashtra, to stop Duryodana in doing wrong deeds and not to support all his actions. When Pandavas regard him as their father, he should guard their interests.She warned as no vengeance should arise in the minds of Pandavas. She advised for good
consultation with ministers and wise counseling alone for peace and harmony are only required and not at all to be misguided by Duryodana .But Duryodana with firm belief in fate had unfortunately had deaf ear on better advices of elders. Duryodana refuses to part with even a square inch of territory and Gandhari's advice was not effective.
TALENTS OF WOMAN
Gandhari, sister of Shakuni, was considered as real villain in Mahabharatha .When Gandhari was asked for wedding by Bhishma , Shakuni, and
Gandhari agreed that their sister was going to be King Pandu's wife. However when they were told the proposal for blind prince Dhrutharashtra, both refused totally. Shakuni said that his talented beautiful sister with good knowledge on Vedas is suitable only for Pandu. But Bhishma told some rumors of depressed and masochistic condition of Gandhari is fit only to a blind prince , as otherwise her marriage chances become remote then. When Gandhari was asked about her opinion, she said that she will put a band on her eyes, so that marriage is between two blind persons. She said that she loved this plan as this wedding will take place in the immortal history. Gandhari Dhritharashtra wedding then took place in great pomp and show with Gandhari's eyes closed with a white band. Gandhari bore a hundred sons collectively known as Kauravas , and one daughter Dushala, who was later married to Jayadradha. Duryodana and Dusshasana were villains in MahaBharatha , and were killed in Kurukshetra war by their cousins. Gandhari exhorted her sons often to follow Dharma and make peace with Pandavas.
Gandhari made a single exception to her blindfolded state, when she removed her blindfold to see Duryodana rendering his entire body except his loins invul-nerable to any foe. This was however to prove fruitless as Bhima smashed Duryodhana's thighs in their decisive encounter on the eighteenth day of the Kurukshetra battle, a move both literally and figuratively below the belt. Dhratharashtra was in the habit of consulting Gandhari during political emergency situations.She also advice immediately to the satisfation of all, but to go only on right path always. .
WEAKNESS OF WOMEN
Gandhari made a single exception to her blindfolded state, when she removed her blindfold to see Duryodana rendering his entire body except his loins invulnerable to any foe. This was however to prove fruitless as Bhima smashed Duryodhana's thighs in their decisive encounter on the eighteenth day of the Kurukshetra battle, a move both literally and figuratively below the belt. Dhratharashtra was in the habit of consulting Gandhari during political emergency situations.She also advice immediately to the satisfation of all, but to go only on right path always.
WEAKNESS OF WOMEN
Gandhari was the most beautiful lady , and was fully qualified by her womanly qualities , which endeared every member of Kaurava court. But despite this, she had the natural delicate weakness of a woman. Though Gandhari was in good books of Kunti, she was envious of Kunti when Kunti gave birth to a male child. When both the queens were then pregnant, Kunti delivered male child first. Gandhari then got angry and gave a blow to her abdomen, resulting delivery of just lump of flesh only. With the blessings of Vyasadeva, that lump divided into hundred parts and each became a male child. Thus her ambition is fulfilled and she started nourishing all children according to her praiseworthy positions.
Gandhari was not in favour of any battle with Pandavas and just blamed her husband for such a war among cousins. She desired that the state be divided into two parts for the sons of Pandu and her own.
Gandhari was a great lady of piety and spotless character. She never provoked and did never have share in the plans of Duryodana and just followed her brother Sakuni's advices.
CARING WOMAN Gandhari made a single exception to her blindfolded state, when she removed her blindfold to see Duryodana rendering his entire body except his loins invulnerable to any foe. This was however to prove fruitless as Bhima smashed Duryodhana's thighs in their decisive encounter on the eighteenth day of the Kurukshetra battle, a move both literally and figuratively below the belt. Dhratharashtra was in the habit of consulting Gandhari during political emergency situations.She also advice immediately to the satisfation of all, but togo only on right path always.
WEAKNESS OF WOMEN
Gandhari was the most beautiful lady , and was fully qualified by her womanly qualities , which endeared every member of Kaurava court. But despite this, she had the natural delicate weakness of a woman. Though Gandhari was in good books of Kunti, she was envious of Kunti when Kunti gave birth to a male child. When both the queens were then pregnant, Kunti delivered male child first. Gandhari then got angry and gave a blow to her abdomen, resulting delivery of just lump of flesh only. With the blessings of Vyasadeva, that lump divided into hundred parts and each became a male child. Thus her ambition is fulfilled and she started nourishing all children according to her praiseworthy positions.
Gandhari was not in favour of any battle with Pandavas and just blamed her husband for such a war among cousins. She desired that the state be divided into two parts for the sons of Pandu and her own.
Gandhari was a great lady of piety and spotless character. She never provoked and did never have share in the plans of Duryodana and just followed her brother Sakuni's advices.
When Lord Krishna himself failed to convince treaty proposal, He called Gandhari to sort it out. Then Gandhari asked Duryodana to agree with his father. Further , Bhishma, Drona, and Vidura have to make a treaty with the Pandavas. As said in Gita Kama esha Krodha esha rajo guna samuthbhavaha mahasano maha papviddhy enam vairnam (when lust is unsatisfied, it turns into wrath, is transformed into illusion) Gandhari warned him as not to be slave of such a lust, anger, greed and other senses. She asked to make pact with pandavas as it is not possible to get Dharma and wealth just by war. When Duryodhana asked Gandhari to bless him to win in the battle, as she knew that Duryodhana was an atrocious ruler and in the hands of such a ruler, the kingdom's wealth could not remain safe, she used to say:only as " where Dharma exists, victory also exists there. If you like to win, follow the path of Dharma and give up the path of Adharma".She always believed dharma brought victory. Yato dharmastato jayah: where dharma stood, there remained victory. As she sat holding her hands in her palms, her heart whispered: Yato krishnastato jayah: where Krishna stood, there remained victory. But Gandhari was not in favor of Duryodhana's victory. Finally, when she heard about the death of her hundred sons, she was filled with anguish and was urged to pour down curses on the Pandavas.Gandhari lamented as Krishna, with His capacity and wit, could have averted the war, but He allowed this Kurukshetra battle deliberately and caused death of the Kauravas. After the battle, Gandhari stayed with Yudhistra for a few years in his kingdom. Ultimately, she decided to go on an exile with her husband and her sister-in-law, Kunti. As an ideal chaste lady, she despaired when she saw her husband burning in the fire of mystic yoga along with his cottage of leaves. During their exile, a huge forest fire burnt them to death and they attained their heavenly abodeFinally, She entered the fire of her husband and followed in death. Maharaja Yudhishtra performed the death ceremony of Gandhari and Drutharashtra in the Himalaas near the mouth of Ganges.
GENERAL MORALITY
Dishonesty, jealousy, arrogance and injustice always meet their doom. Duryodana's unjust and evil designs brought destruction and disaster on such a large scale. Had he listened to the advices of his mother Gandhari and other elders and agreed to the most modest demand put up by the Pandavas of being just given just five regions of kingdom, this great disaster of Mahabharatha could have been avoided totally. Man or woman must avoid obstinacy,arrogance and lust and better only to follow compromise,goodwill and justice.
The next topic is on Kunti.
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