Manu Smṛiti:
yatra nāryas tu pūjyante ramante tatra devatāḥ (3.56)
“Societies where women are worshiped, for
they are chaste and virtuous, the celestial gods are joyous.”
Episode 15
Women
empowerment…..
As Balarama
adjourns the meeting, the ball was now in the court of Pandavas. Krishna asks
Kunti and her sons to take a decision on Duryodhana's demand. Yudhistira unable
to come to terms discusses with his brothers.
Arjuna is happy
to have Karna on their side but not as King. He admires the greatness of Karna
as one of the great archers on par with him and that he will be an asset to the
Pandava Kingdom.
Bheemasena was
still twisting his hands as he wanted to prove his prowess over Duryodhana. He
considered this as Duryodhana’s ploy and that his crooked mind was buying time.
Bheema very much preferred a fight with Duryodhana paving for his elimination
once for all.
Nakula and
Sahadeva, knowing fully well that they were nowhere near, even dreaming of
ruling Hastinapur left it to the discretion of their mother Kunti.
The undecided
Yudhistira took refuge under his mother.
Kunti reminded
her son’s that the daughters-in-law be also taken into confidence before
taking a crucial decision. It is the womenfolk who had taken a lead in
bringing in truce to the dreaded war.
On the other
side, Duryodhana enthusing full confidence, was relaxing, yet soothing mother
Gandhari about the loss of all his brothers in the war. He was trying
vehemently to convince her, that it was Krishna who made all the difference and
not the fault of his mighty men lead by none other than Bhisma.
Karna still
reluctant to be the King of Hastinapur, when his friend and mentor Duryodhana
was alive, decided to seek the opinion of his wives. Vrishali took the lead by
taking into confidence the other wives. She reminded Karna of his following
righteous moves now:
1.
Krishna and Kunti have made it aptly clear that Karna is
now the eldest of Pandavas though not born to the late King Pandu.
2.
With Kunti being the mother of Karna, Yudhistira, Bheema, and Arjuna will not oppose. Nakula and Sahadeva will automatically follow suit.
3.
Duryodhana himself has suggested the name. So being a
loyal friend of him, he should continue to honour his intentions.
4.
Karna had suffered till date, though, he had no role in
all this, including his birth.
5. Circumstances
forced him to side with Duryodhana, knowing fully well that the path was far from
Dharma.
Vrishali
convinced Karna that he had a golden opportunity now. Here is a chance to
sanctify himself by ruling Hastinapur and guiding Duryodhana onto the righteous
path.
When
opportunity knocks at the door, wise men should open and grab it. The other
wives too consented. Karna appreciated the stand and gave his nod.
Vrishali
also affirmed that Sun God would be the happiest now.
What would Panchali do? How Subhadra who
lost Abhimanyu and Hidimba sacrificing Ghatotkacha would react to the proposal
mattered much?
To be continued
in episode 16…..
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