The term "Itihasas" (Epics) indicates that episodes in them are real and true and that the characters therein had actually gone through several vicissitudes Their personal experiences had been brilliantly embroidered in the main theme, each one throwing valuable lessons to help posterity to set its own house in order The tribulations of Draupadi, who was about to be publicly defamed, reveal three vital aspects closely associated with every individual's life stream Unscrupulous elements will have the least compunction in indulging in any ignoble deed, taking an inexplicable pleasure in tormenting others There is no rationale behind their detestable behaviour Otherwise, Duryodhana's brother would not have dared to attempt to disrobe her Even under such worst provocations and although they have the inherent capacity to punish the culprits, men wedded to virtue will not take Law unto themselves but will strictly adhere to the rules of Righteousness, leaving the entire matter to the Divine force to decide Patience and restraint are the distinctive hallmarks of the pious like Yudhishtirar.

Sri R Muthukrishna Sastrigal in his discourse said the third message projected by this episode is about God's unfailing mercy for those who seek His protection without any reservation and realising that He alone is the ultimate refuge God's response will be instantaneous to those who sincerely express their inability. In her perilous situation when the Pandavas stood utterly helpless at the atrocious acts of the Kauravas, Lord Krishna to whom Draupadi made a stirring appeal, came to her rescue When one entrusts himself to the Almighty, He takes the responsibility to save him and He knows in what form and at what time should the help be extended. Draupadi's verse invoking His response has been suitably incorporated in our daily prayers.
                                                                        February 6, 1974

How destiny operates

Occasions will be numerous when a person has to take crucial decisions requiring sane judgement. His interests may be affected and hence he has to be doubly cautious. It is at this juncture that destiny operates. Those devoted to God will submit to fate's ways. They will plead to the Almighty to grant them strength to bear the staggering blows, as they will be fully conscious that no one will be spared by it.

For instance, everyone knows about the consequences of gambling. It will make even the astute fall into its dragnet. There will be innumerable advisers to encourage people to gamble, extolling the beneficial aspects but without warning that ruin will follow if they lose. When stakes are involved, the chances of tempers running high and of mutual rancour are greater. But still people are unable to resist it because of destiny. That was the chief reason why the wise Yudhishtirar agreed to play the game office at the invitation of Duryodhana. God the merciful always tries to save devotees from downfall.

In his discourse Sri Burra Sivaramakrishna Sarma said when Yudhishtirar displayed signs of disinclination to play, Duryodhana asked him not to be a coward. The idea behind asking the Pandava chief to join the game was to deprive him of his entire property as Duryodhana was jealous of the Pandavas prosperity. Unable to conduct a Rajasuya yaga or to defeat the Pandavas in a straight fight, Duryodhana resorted to the sinister plan of cheating, with the connivance of his uncle, while throwing the dice. The Epic exposes the evil of envy and reveals how the unscrupulous will be punished if they allow the virtuous to suffer.
                                                                        January 7, 1980

Integrity and purity of character

The index of a man's eminence, irrespective of his position, scholastic attainments and wealth, is his integrity. The higher the position he occupies, the greater will be his responsibility to maintain the purity of his character.

The Mahabharatha presents two men of impeccable calibre, one of them maintaining his character till the end (Bhishma) and the other, Nahusha, succumbing to lust and getting punished. In the latter case, a man was elevated to the highest pedestal, but lost his balance due to savage lust and failed to live up to the expectations. As Lord Krishna declares man commits sins, becomes impure and misbehaves due to two inveterate foes-lust and lucre. They envelope him throwing a smoke screen, as it were making him yield to temptations. Scriptures advise men to avoid the company of women with whom he is barred from being close. Even sages had fallen a victim to the charming countenances of women Nahusha, an illustrious emperor who had distinguished himself following the religious discipline, was provided with an opportunity to act as the Head of the celestials. He could not however resist the beauty of a woman and in his anxiety to reach her, incurred the curse of a sage and was sent back to the world as a python. His repentance resulted in the modification of the curse that the day of his deliverance would be the occasion of the visit of the Pandavas to him and the eldest among them answering his questions. .

Yudhishtira replied that a man's acquisitions-of knowledge, fame and riches would be purposeless if he was characterless, Sri N. Giridhari Prasad said in a discourse, He explained how Ramakrishna took a lump of earth in one hand and a piece of gold in the other, treated them alike and threw both into a river.
                                                                        October 9, 1980

Better to remain as foes than being untrue friends

Camaraderie is a two-way channel. The affection that exists between two friends should be mutual, each reciprocating to the sentiments of the other. It is better to remain as foes than two people acting as close friends but in private working against each other harbouring mistrust and adopting measures for the downfall of the other. This applies to partners in life as well as in many cases, couple may conduct themselves as an endearing ideal pair in society but within the confines of four walls, display antagonism towards one another.

Sage Vyasa advised the dejected Yudhishtirar, the embodiment of virtue, not to grieve over the animosity shown by Duryodhana. Even should Yudhishtirar extend his hand of friendship. Duryodhana, out of conceit, would reject it as he never wanted his cousins to prosper, Vyasa also made it plain that come what may, the issues between the two groups would be settled only through war.

The Mahabharatha highlights the havoc resulting from gambling, in any form. For instance Yudhishtirar was lured and made to yield to the tempting words of Duryodhana and his associates. But when an opportunity arose to playa second time, Draupadi made him roll the dice after uttering the names of the Lord when, to the surprise of all, he won. On all previous occasions, he had tasted only defeat. This reveals that God will certainly protect His devotees. But often He chooses to test them-at times even to the extent of making them totally exasperated. That is only to compel them to hold on to Him with greater resolve.

Devotees, by virtue of their continuous suffering, may even wonder whether God exists at all and if so wonder why He should tease them to the point of breaking them down. The more the ordeals, the greater should be our confidence in His succour. Like a surgeon who removes a boil by a knife, though it causes pain God examines our patience but ultimately. He grants us the Bliss. Draupadi's life is an instance of extreme Faith.

Sri Keeran in his Mahabharatham discourse said for the success of a person, his endeavour alone would not suffice. At the same time, no one could expect God to feed him at his doorsteps. People who put in their best efforts could not also claim to reach the top of the ladder and get the rewards. Personal sacrifice should be combined with Divine grace and the blessings of forebears who had undertaken good deeds.
                                                                        October 11, 1980

Wealth and power must be used for public good

May be, one is endowed with enormous wealth, great prowess or extraordinary intellect. But that does not confer on him any right to intimidate harass or treat with contempt his less-fortunate brethren. He must guard himself against self-conceit and arrogance, the twin evils that are likely to stem from a feeling of superiority. It would be ideal if he uses the God-given gifts for the benefit of mankind. It is certainly objectionable if he resorts to oppression of the weak.

In the same way, the powers vested in the ruler of a country are intended to be used for public good, not to victimise anyone. Just because there is no one to challenge his authority, he cannot turn tyrannical, throwing to the winds all norms of justice and righteousness. Before long, he would be made answerable for all his misdeeds. Unlike the Law of the land, which is made use of immediately to punish the criminals, the Almighty acts slowly but unerringly. The wrong-doers are often given a long rope. The idea is to give them a chance to mend their ways. In this interregnum, they seem to prosper and go stronger, making the righteous- minded sometimes wonder the wisdom of upholding Dharma itself.

Jarasandha, a mighty king, had many good traits, but he teased and humiliated other rulers. He had taken 86 kings captive, in pursuance of his decision to capture and decapitate one hundred rulers. Killing them in battle would not be improper because fighting was Kshatriya's duty and the one who died in action would reach the heaven. What Jarasandha had planned to do was just slaughter.

Sri T .S. Balakrishna Sastrigal, in a discourse said that, though SriKrishna had several encounters with Jarasandha, the Lord chose not to kill him Himself but had him slain through Bhima, thus paving the way for Yudhishtira to qualify for the performance of Rajasuya Yaga.
                                                                        May 20, 1981