We focus so much on the Mahabharat war, that we often ignore the interesting things that happened after Kurukshetra.
One of the most heartbreaking stories is that of Dhritarashtra.
He stayed away from the battlefield, only getting updates from his charioteer.
After losing all 100 sons within 18 days, he had to come to bless the new king (out of sense of duty).
He was grieving. Bheem had murdered Duryodhan.
So while everyone touched his feet, he asked Bheem – the killer of his beloved son, to hug him. And when he did, Dhritrashtra used all his strength and crushed Bheem – shattering his body into many pieces.
And then he burst into tears. He was guilty.
He repented his actions. While he was angry at his nephew, killing him was wrong. But he only realised it when he was too late.
Krishna calmed him down.
He told Drishtrashtra, ‘I knew you would make a mistake in the heat of the moment. Hence I’d replaced Bheem with a life-size statue. Don’t cry, Bheem is still alive.’ With tears in his eyes, Dhritrashtra thanked him.
Had you been in Dhritrashtra’s place, what would you feel?
Still be angry at the Pandavas for the loss of your children?
Feel good that you got revenge?
Apathetic to what’s happening around?
Happy that the war is over and a new chapter is starting?
It is normal, natural – and most importantly – human to feel any of these.
Like Dhristrashtra, we’re all imperfect.
I just wonder if his blindness is a metaphor for our blind spots.
What do you think?
