Chapter 38 Markandeya Told About Kausika
The wise man Markandeya once visited the Pandavas. When discussing the benefits of fair sex, Yudhishthira said: “Is there anything in this world more amazing than a woman’s endurance and chastity? She cherishes the kid in her womb, holding it dearer than life itself, and then gives birth to it. She delivers it into the world feeling agony and anguish, and from that point on, her only concern is for its wellbeing. Having a big heart and being forgiving, a woman might forgive and yet love a bad spouse who treats her badly and despises her. How peculiar!”
Markandeya told him a sacred history after hearing this.
A brahmana by the name of Kausika formerly kept the brahmacharya vow with tremendous steadiness and dedication.
He used to recite the Vedas while sitting beneath a tree. His head was soiled by the bird droppings of the crane that was sitting above the tree. The bird was slain by his enraged glance as it plummeted to the ground lifeless.
When he noticed the dead bird lying on the ground, the brahmana was distressed.
What a terrifying scenario it would be if all impulsive or furious wishes came true at once! How much would there be to regret or atone for afterwards! We are fortunate that our desires are dependent on external factors since this protects us from a lot of sin and suffering.
In a fit of rage, Kausika had a bad thinking that resulted in the death of an innocent bird. Later, he went to ask for alms as usual.
To get his benefits, he stood in front of a house’s door. At that moment, the housewife was cleaning some kitchenware. In the hopes that she would take care of him when her task was done, Kausika waited.
The wife had to care to the master of the house’s needs, including washing and drying his feet and serving him food, while he was away. He was weary and hungry.
She seems to have forgotten the Brahman outside in her concern. After making sure her spouse was taken care of and nourished, she left the house and gave charity to the beggar.
She uttered: “I apologise for keeping you waiting so long. Excuse me.”
Burning with rage, Kausika uttered: “You’ve kept me waiting for so long, lady. This disregard is unfair.”
As she said to the brahmana: “Dearest Brahmanas, kindly pardon me. Due to my husband’s needs, there was a delay.”
As the brahmana said: “While caring for the spouse is necessary and proper, the brahmana should also not be ignored. You come out as a haughty woman.”
She uttered: “Be kind to me and keep in mind that I merely kept you waiting while I was faithfully attending to my spouse. I am not a crane that can be destroyed by a terrible idea, and the lady who devoted herself to her husband cannot be harmed by your fury.”
The brahmana was shocked. He questioned how she learned about the crane disaster.
She went on: “O mighty one, you are unaware of the secret of duty and the fact that anger is the biggest foe a man has. Please pardon the delay in getting back to you. Visit Mithila and ask Dharmavyadha, who resides there, for advice on how to live a decent life.”
Brahmana was in awe. He stated: “I will benefit from your fair reprimand, which I deserve. May wonderful things come to you.” He then left towards Mithila with these words.
When Kausika arrived in Mithila, he searched for Dharmavyadha’s house, which he assumed to be some isolated retreat remote from the commotion of everyday life.
In that large metropolis, he strolled down splendid streets past lovely homes and gardens until he came to a butcher shop where a man was selling meat. When he discovered that this man was Dharmavyadha, he was in awe.
The brahmana, who was utterly surprised, distanced himself in disgust. Suddenly getting up from his chair, the butcher approached the brahmana and asked: “Sir, how are you doing? You came to me, did that chaste brahmana woman send you?”
Brahmana was in a daze.
“Respected sir, I am aware of your motivation. Let’s return home “The butcher invited the brahmana to his home and showed him a happy family. The brahmana was deeply moved by the butcher’s devoted service to his parents.
That butcher taught Kausika about dharma, or the duties and obligations of man. The brahmana then went back to his home and started taking care of his parents, a chore he had previously neglected somewhat.
The Gita has the same message as this powerful history of Dharmavyadha that Vedavyasa so expertly included into the Mahabharata.
Man achieves perfection by honestly pursuing whatever calling comes into his life, and this is actually worshipping the Creator, who is present throughout everything. XVIII, 45–46 of the Bhagavad Gita
He may have been pushed into his profession by circumstance, chosen it voluntarily, or it may have been one he was born into in society. But what counts most is how sincerely and obediently someone goes about carrying out their life’s task.
Vedavyasa underlines this important reality by having a brahmana who was educated but ignorant of it hear it from a butcher who had experienced it in his lowly and despised existence.
Keep Mahabharat Book at Home and Read Daily – DO NOT FALL TO FAKE PROPAGANDA and Allow Enemies to Weaken our Dharma and Bharat
This historical epic Mahabharat is known as fifth Veda. It is a common misconception spread by mlecchas; muslims and christian missionaries, and secular Hindus that reading Mahabharat or keeping it at home will likely lead to arguments and fighting. All of this misinformation was spread by illiterate mlecchas and anti-Hindus, and it is completely incorrect. It is done to mentally weaken Hindus so that they avoid reading Mahabharat. Because Mahabharat invokes bravery, pride and sense of confidence in Hindus.
Keep a copy of Mahabharat at home and read it online at the HariBhakt website. Mahabharat is rightly called the fifth Veda for Kaliyuga people because it is a tool and guidance to invoke confidence and bravery in Sanatan Dharmi Hindus.
You can read complete Mahabharat by following Chapter links given below. You can check Glossary of Mahabharat here.
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