The Pancha Pandavas along with Draupadi faced the hardships of the forest and passed eleven years of their exile living on fruits and roots. Though they deserved to enjoy every pleasure in this universe, they experienced tremendous difficulties in the forest.
Accepting the tough situation they were in to be their fate, the Pancha Pandavas and Draupadi drew strength and courage from within and bore it in silence. As they were all exalted personalities, they possessed the rare virtue of discrimination.
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira used to constantly think, “This great misfortune that has befallen my brothers is my doing. It is because of my sin that they have to face such hardships.” Rajarshi Yudhishtira was tormented by these thoughts and could not sleep at night. All these matters used to weigh heavily on his heart and pierce him like a thorn.
He pondered upon the events that transpired in the court when the game of dice was played at the behest of Shakuni. He felt miserable remembering the harsh words of Karna. He took long breaths and tried to suppress the rising anger and resentment within.
Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi and Bheemasena were upset to see Raja Yudhishtira in this pitiable state. Taking solace in the fact that there was only little time left in their exile, they tried to keep their spirits up and even changed their physical appearance in an effort to contain their indignation.
After some time had passed, the pious son of Satyavatī, Vyāsa Maharshi visited the Pancha Pandavas. Dharmaraja Yudhishtira greeted him with honour and all of them offered prostrations. After the revered sage had taken a seat, the Pancha Pandavas sat close to him.
Vyāsa Maharshi was deeply troubled seeing his grandchildren weak and frail, living on fruits and roots and facing a hard life in the forest. Tears streamed down his face and in a trembling voice addressed them, “O most exalted one! Dharmaraja Yudhishtira. Listen to me. Only one who has performed tapasyā will experience happiness. Man will experience happiness and sorrow in turns. No one in this universe will experience happiness for an indefinite length of time.
Only a wise man of intelligence who knows the Paramātmā, the cause of birth, sustenance and dissolution will be neither happy nor sad. A man of discrimination should accept the happiness that comes his way without being attached to it and bear the unhappiness that comes with courage.
Just like how a farmer sows the seeds and accepts the harvest as his prārabhda, similarly, a man should quietly accept the happiness and sorrow that comes his way as the Will of the Universe.
There is no greater recourse for one than tapa. A man can attain the Supreme Goal through tapas. Understand this well, that there is nothing unattainable or impossible through tapasyā.
Truth, simplicity, lack of anger, partaking the food offered to the Devathas and guests, control over the sensory organs, control over the mind, not seeing any flaws in anyone, shunning violence, to maintain purity both inside and outside and to be unattached to the sensory pleasures are the virtues of a wise man that will purify everyone.
Those who take delight in adharma, those foolish persons will take birth as cattle, birds and lowly forms. They will never be happy after being born in those difficult lifeforms.
Whatever karma is done in the world by man, the fruits will be experienced in the afterlife. Hence, it is imperative to engage one’s body in tapa and discipline.
Hey king! If any guest arrives, you must give some dāna as per your capacity joyfully and without getting angry. You must be courteous. A truthful man will attain long life, happiness and simplicity.
The one who does not get angry and does not see any flaw will attain the Paramānanda. One who always keeps his sensory organs in check and controls his mind will not face sorrow ever.
One who has his mind under control will not be sorrowful on seeing another’s wealth. One who surrenders the respective portions due to the Devathas and guests will enjoy all the pleasurable things.
A charitable man will be happy. One who does not harm anyone will have good health. One who honours exalted persons will be born in a good lineage. He will attain happiness in this world as well as in the afterlife.
One’s whose intellect is engaged in good things will be born with an exceedingly brilliant mind because of that association.”
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked, “Bhagawan! O venerable One! Which is deemed to be greater in the heavenly worlds – dāna or tapasyā? Which of these two is said to be more difficult?”
“There is nothing more arduous than dāna in this universe. People have great longing for wealth and wealth is attained after undergoing trials and tribulations.
Many brave men dive into the depths of the ocean forgoing their attachment to their body in search of precious gems, wander into the dense forest in search of wealth.
Some people even take up farming and protect cows as their livelihood, some others travel far and wide for a job to acquire wealth.
Therefore, it is exceedingly difficult to give up the wealth earned after undergoing so much sorrow. There is no greater task or more punishing task than dāna.
I declare that dāna is the most exalted. The most important thing to note here is that a man should justly give the wealth earned to a wise person taking into consideration the land, time and means. Wealth acquired through falsehood and given away will not give any protection from fear.
If one with a pure mind gives away even a little wealth at the appropriate time, then it is deemed to bestow infinite fruits in the heavenly worlds.”
[Excerpt: Vrīhidronikaparva, Vanaparva, Mahābhārat]
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