Answers to Questions from Mahabharata and Ramayana, Inquiries Into the Absolute, Digest 394
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Jan 25, 2013, 9:19:00 AM1/25/13
to Inquiries Into the Absolute
Digest 394, January 1st, 2013. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami
Maharaja
You are invited to send your questions to His Holiness Romapada Swami
at ma...@iita.info with the word "Question" included in the subject
line or submit your question at http://www.romapadaswami.com/?
q=feedback/Question.
Answers to Questions from Mahabharata and Ramayana
``````````````````````````````````````````````````
774) According to Mahabharata, among pancha Pandavas, who left their
body first?
Answer; This is from K.M Ganguli (Mahaprasthanika Parva)
Vaishampayana said: "Those princes of restrained souls and devoted to
Yoga, proceeding to the north, beheld Himavat, that very large
mountain. Crossing the Himavat, they beheld a vast desert of sand.
They then saw the mighty mountain Meru, the foremost of all high-
peaked mountains. As those mighty ones were proceeding quickly, all
rapt in Yoga, Yajnaseni, falling from Yoga, dropped down on the Earth.
Beholding her fallen down, Bhimasena of great strength addressed king
Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'O scorcher of foes, this princess
never did any sinful act. Tell us what the cause is for which Krishnaa
has fallen down on the Earth!'
"Yudhishthira said: 'O best of men, though we were all equal unto her
she had great partiality for Dhananjaya. She obtains the fruit of that
conduct today, O best of men.'"
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said this, that foremost one of
Bharata's race proceeded on. Of righteous soul, that foremost of men,
endued with great intelligence, went on, with mind intent on itself.
Then Sahadeva of great learning fell down on the Earth. Beholding him
drop down, Bhima addressed the king, saying, 'He who with great
humility used to serve us all, alas, why is that son of Madravati
fallen down on the Earth?'
"Yudhishthira said, 'He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom. It
is for that fault that this prince has fallen down.'
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said this, the king proceeded,
leaving Sahadeva there. Indeed, Kunti's son Yudhishthira went on, with
his brothers and with the dog. Beholding both Krishna and the Pandava
Sahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was
very great, fell down himself. Upon the falling down of the heroic
Nakula of great personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king,
saying, 'This brother of ours who was endued with righteousness
without incompleteness, and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula
who was unrivalled for beauty, has fallen down.'
"Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, said, with respect to
Nakula, these words: 'He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all
persons endued with intelligence. He, however, thought that there was
nobody that equalled him in beauty of person. Indeed, he regarded
himself as superior to all in that respect. It is for this that Nakula
has fallen down. Know this, O Vrikodara. What has been ordained for a
person, O hero, must have to be endured by him.'
"Beholding Nakula and the others fall down, Pandu's son Arjuna of
white steeds, that slayer of hostile heroes, fell down in great grief
of heart. When that foremost of men, who was endued with the energy of
Shakra, had fallen down, indeed, when that invincible hero was on the
point of death, Bhima said unto the king, 'I do not recollect any
untruth uttered by this high-souled one. Indeed, not even in jest did
he say anything false. What then is that for whose evil consequence
this one has fallen down on the Earth?'
"Yudhishthira said, 'Arjuna had said that he would consume all our
foes in a single day. Proud of his heroism, he did not, however,
accomplish what he had said. Hence has he fallen down. This Phalguna
disregarded all wielders of bows. One desirous of prosperity should
never indulge in such sentiments.'"
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said so, the king proceeded on. Then
Bhima fell down. Having fallen down, Bhima addressed king Yudhishthira
the just, saying, 'O king, behold, I who am thy darling have fallen
down. For what reason have I dropped down? Tell me if thou knowest
it.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou wert a great eater, and thou didst use to
boast of thy strength. Thou never didst attend, O Bhima, to the wants
of others while eating. It is for that, O Bhima, that thou hast fallen
down.'
[END]
775) Is it true that Bhisma's head was without support and hence
Arjuna with his arrows made an arrangement to make Bhismadeva's head
position comfortably?
Answer: From Krishna Dharma's Mahabharata Part 2 Chapter 12
Bhishma opened his eyes. He spoke with difficulty. "O Phalguna, see
how my head is hanging down. Fetch me a suitable pillow, O hero. You
alone are equal to this task."
Understanding Bhishma's desire, Arjuna lifted his bow and fired
several arrows, charged by Vedic mantras. The arrows stuck in the
ground beneath Bhishma's head and formed a headrest. Bhishma smiled.
His arms were pierced all over and resting on arrows, but he raised
his right hand from the wrist to bless Arjuna. "O son of Pandu, you
have properly understood my desire. This is the only fitting pillow
for a warrior slain on the battlefield."
From K.M Ganguli (Dronabhisheka Parva)
"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, with undivided attention, to me as I
recite what thy sons did after Devavrata had been killed in battle.
When Bhishma, O monarch, of prowess incapable of being baffled, was
slain, thy warriors as also the Pandavas both reflected by themselves
(on the situation). Reflecting on the duties of the Kshatriya order,
they were filled with wonder and joy; but acting according to those
duties of their own order, they all bowed to that high-souled warrior.
Then those tigers among men contrived for Bhishma of immeasurable
prowess a bed with a pillow made of straight shafts. And having made
arrangements for Bhishma's protection, they addressed one another (in
pleasant converse). Then bidding Ganga's son their farewell and
walking round him, and looking at one another with eyes red in anger,
those Kshatriyas, urged by fate, once more went out against one
another for battle.
[END]
776) Is it true that, according to Ramayana, all four brothers (Rama,
Bharat, Lakshman, and Satrugna) were immersed in water and died?
Answer: From Krishna Dharma's Ramayana Part 3 Chapter 15
Laksman prostrated Himself before Rama with tears in His eyes. He then
stood up and left the palace, going directly to the forest. Reaching
the banks of the Sarayu, He sat down in meditation, preparing to
observe the praya vow of fasting till death. With His eyes half-
closed, He suspended His breathing and entered a deep trance. As He
sat absorbed in thought of the Supreme, Indra came there invisible to
all and took Him away to the heavens. Thus it appeared to all men that
Laksman had died.
___
Followed by His vast entourage, Rama traveled upriver to the point
where it joined the Ganges, then went along the course of that holy
river until He reached the foot of the mountain from where it
emanated. At that place, where the path to heaven could be found,
millions of divine chariots appeared. All the gods, headed by Brahma,
were visible. Celestial music played by the Gandharvas could be heard
and showers of flowers fell from the skies. It was seen that Visnu
appeared in the sky on the back of Garuda. Within the sight of all,
and being praised by the gods, Rama and His two brothers entered
Visnu's form. Every creature present, who were all absorbed in
thoughts of Rama, then gave up their mortal bodies and assumed their
eternal spiritual forms. The gods saw them rising up on celestial
chariots toward Rama's undecaying abode in the spiritual world. It
seemed to those celestials that the very city of Ayodhya went with
Rama.
*************************
Previous questions and answers are available with subject
classification at http://www.romapadaswami.com/inquiries
Digests 1-242 are included as a PDF file at:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/Inquiries/IITA_full.pdf
Lectures: http://www.romapadaswami.com/audio
Brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/HHRPS_bio
**************************
To (un)subscribe please email ma...@iita.info with the word (un)
subscribe in the subject.
Maharaja
You are invited to send your questions to His Holiness Romapada Swami
at ma...@iita.info with the word "Question" included in the subject
line or submit your question at http://www.romapadaswami.com/?
q=feedback/Question.
Answers to Questions from Mahabharata and Ramayana
``````````````````````````````````````````````````
774) According to Mahabharata, among pancha Pandavas, who left their
body first?
Answer; This is from K.M Ganguli (Mahaprasthanika Parva)
Vaishampayana said: "Those princes of restrained souls and devoted to
Yoga, proceeding to the north, beheld Himavat, that very large
mountain. Crossing the Himavat, they beheld a vast desert of sand.
They then saw the mighty mountain Meru, the foremost of all high-
peaked mountains. As those mighty ones were proceeding quickly, all
rapt in Yoga, Yajnaseni, falling from Yoga, dropped down on the Earth.
Beholding her fallen down, Bhimasena of great strength addressed king
Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'O scorcher of foes, this princess
never did any sinful act. Tell us what the cause is for which Krishnaa
has fallen down on the Earth!'
"Yudhishthira said: 'O best of men, though we were all equal unto her
she had great partiality for Dhananjaya. She obtains the fruit of that
conduct today, O best of men.'"
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said this, that foremost one of
Bharata's race proceeded on. Of righteous soul, that foremost of men,
endued with great intelligence, went on, with mind intent on itself.
Then Sahadeva of great learning fell down on the Earth. Beholding him
drop down, Bhima addressed the king, saying, 'He who with great
humility used to serve us all, alas, why is that son of Madravati
fallen down on the Earth?'
"Yudhishthira said, 'He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom. It
is for that fault that this prince has fallen down.'
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said this, the king proceeded,
leaving Sahadeva there. Indeed, Kunti's son Yudhishthira went on, with
his brothers and with the dog. Beholding both Krishna and the Pandava
Sahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was
very great, fell down himself. Upon the falling down of the heroic
Nakula of great personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king,
saying, 'This brother of ours who was endued with righteousness
without incompleteness, and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula
who was unrivalled for beauty, has fallen down.'
"Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, said, with respect to
Nakula, these words: 'He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all
persons endued with intelligence. He, however, thought that there was
nobody that equalled him in beauty of person. Indeed, he regarded
himself as superior to all in that respect. It is for this that Nakula
has fallen down. Know this, O Vrikodara. What has been ordained for a
person, O hero, must have to be endured by him.'
"Beholding Nakula and the others fall down, Pandu's son Arjuna of
white steeds, that slayer of hostile heroes, fell down in great grief
of heart. When that foremost of men, who was endued with the energy of
Shakra, had fallen down, indeed, when that invincible hero was on the
point of death, Bhima said unto the king, 'I do not recollect any
untruth uttered by this high-souled one. Indeed, not even in jest did
he say anything false. What then is that for whose evil consequence
this one has fallen down on the Earth?'
"Yudhishthira said, 'Arjuna had said that he would consume all our
foes in a single day. Proud of his heroism, he did not, however,
accomplish what he had said. Hence has he fallen down. This Phalguna
disregarded all wielders of bows. One desirous of prosperity should
never indulge in such sentiments.'"
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said so, the king proceeded on. Then
Bhima fell down. Having fallen down, Bhima addressed king Yudhishthira
the just, saying, 'O king, behold, I who am thy darling have fallen
down. For what reason have I dropped down? Tell me if thou knowest
it.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou wert a great eater, and thou didst use to
boast of thy strength. Thou never didst attend, O Bhima, to the wants
of others while eating. It is for that, O Bhima, that thou hast fallen
down.'
[END]
775) Is it true that Bhisma's head was without support and hence
Arjuna with his arrows made an arrangement to make Bhismadeva's head
position comfortably?
Answer: From Krishna Dharma's Mahabharata Part 2 Chapter 12
Bhishma opened his eyes. He spoke with difficulty. "O Phalguna, see
how my head is hanging down. Fetch me a suitable pillow, O hero. You
alone are equal to this task."
Understanding Bhishma's desire, Arjuna lifted his bow and fired
several arrows, charged by Vedic mantras. The arrows stuck in the
ground beneath Bhishma's head and formed a headrest. Bhishma smiled.
His arms were pierced all over and resting on arrows, but he raised
his right hand from the wrist to bless Arjuna. "O son of Pandu, you
have properly understood my desire. This is the only fitting pillow
for a warrior slain on the battlefield."
From K.M Ganguli (Dronabhisheka Parva)
"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, with undivided attention, to me as I
recite what thy sons did after Devavrata had been killed in battle.
When Bhishma, O monarch, of prowess incapable of being baffled, was
slain, thy warriors as also the Pandavas both reflected by themselves
(on the situation). Reflecting on the duties of the Kshatriya order,
they were filled with wonder and joy; but acting according to those
duties of their own order, they all bowed to that high-souled warrior.
Then those tigers among men contrived for Bhishma of immeasurable
prowess a bed with a pillow made of straight shafts. And having made
arrangements for Bhishma's protection, they addressed one another (in
pleasant converse). Then bidding Ganga's son their farewell and
walking round him, and looking at one another with eyes red in anger,
those Kshatriyas, urged by fate, once more went out against one
another for battle.
[END]
776) Is it true that, according to Ramayana, all four brothers (Rama,
Bharat, Lakshman, and Satrugna) were immersed in water and died?
Answer: From Krishna Dharma's Ramayana Part 3 Chapter 15
Laksman prostrated Himself before Rama with tears in His eyes. He then
stood up and left the palace, going directly to the forest. Reaching
the banks of the Sarayu, He sat down in meditation, preparing to
observe the praya vow of fasting till death. With His eyes half-
closed, He suspended His breathing and entered a deep trance. As He
sat absorbed in thought of the Supreme, Indra came there invisible to
all and took Him away to the heavens. Thus it appeared to all men that
Laksman had died.
___
Followed by His vast entourage, Rama traveled upriver to the point
where it joined the Ganges, then went along the course of that holy
river until He reached the foot of the mountain from where it
emanated. At that place, where the path to heaven could be found,
millions of divine chariots appeared. All the gods, headed by Brahma,
were visible. Celestial music played by the Gandharvas could be heard
and showers of flowers fell from the skies. It was seen that Visnu
appeared in the sky on the back of Garuda. Within the sight of all,
and being praised by the gods, Rama and His two brothers entered
Visnu's form. Every creature present, who were all absorbed in
thoughts of Rama, then gave up their mortal bodies and assumed their
eternal spiritual forms. The gods saw them rising up on celestial
chariots toward Rama's undecaying abode in the spiritual world. It
seemed to those celestials that the very city of Ayodhya went with
Rama.
*************************
Previous questions and answers are available with subject
classification at http://www.romapadaswami.com/inquiries
Digests 1-242 are included as a PDF file at:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/Inquiries/IITA_full.pdf
Lectures: http://www.romapadaswami.com/audio
Brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/HHRPS_bio
**************************
To (un)subscribe please email ma...@iita.info with the word (un)
subscribe in the subject.
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