As everything contained in Hinduism scriptures was allegorical to explain the hidden underlying precepts of cosmic life… the role of Yudhisthira (Dharmaraja) was for a specific purpose. As detailed in Bhagavad Gita Yudhisthira was embodiment of Dharma (righteousness) but can a human being reach stage of enlightenment practicing Dharma alone. It was just not possible. Apart from dharma our indulgence in nishkama karma yoga and other precepts of yoga meditation were necessitated to gain enlightenment, reach stage of moksha salvation!
Unless a Dharmaraja like Yudhisthira practiced nishkama karma yoga, 12 years practice of absolute celibacy one could never reach stage of enlightenment. But Arjuna indulged in same to reach stage of enlightenment in the battle of Mahabharata. Only after becoming an enlightened one could Arjuna assimilate teachings of Lord Krishna in the battle of Mahabharata… which is termed sermon of Bhagavad Gita. In field of spirituality or in general life we could not mix Dharma (righteousness) with karma. In Mahabharata Yudhisthira failed on account of karma. His wrong indulgence in karma led him to play game of dice with Kauravas in which he finally lost Draupadi to Kauravas.
In terms of karma Yudhisthira could be called insane, ignorant! Yudhisthira even though embodiment of Dharma did not give full respect to ladies as he should have! Otherwise he would have never lost Draupadi to Kauravas. Hinduism accords highest respect to ladies that was possible on mother earth as all ladies were embodiment of mother earth.
If we remember case of Siddhartha Gautama, he also left confines of his home touching feet of wife and child thinking that he was absolved of karma forever. As detailed in Bhagavad Gita karma could never be burnt that way. To burn his karma in totality Siddhartha Gautama took a very long time. It is only in the last stages of life was he able to burn his karma in totality when he sat under a bodhi tree for a period of 12 years in continuation. This was how he was also able to practice absolute celibacy in continuation for a period of 12 years. Soon after Siddhartha Gautama became Gautama Buddha… gaining enlightenment at the end of spiritual journey!
By: Vijay Kumar “Atma Jnani”… The Man who Realized God in 1993 – (Ref. 161120)
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