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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00107 Mar 2005

 
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sudarshan madabushi <mksudarshan2002@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In the first instance she swore vengeance against the
Kauravas for a wrong done unto her by them. In the
second, surprisingly, she forsook vengeance against
Aswatthama, who again did great wrong unto her on
behalf of the Kauravas. It was the same person,
Draupadi, however, who acted one way at one point of
time and in a diametrically opposite way at another.
We should ask 'Why?'

Dear Sri Sudarshan and other bhagavathas -

Please forgive this cashew-nut for intrusion. I cannot agree that she was a vengeful person who transformed in to a saintly character. She was always saintly. Even in the court of Hastinapur she did not take any vow against Drona, Bhishma etc., who were worshippable. It is for the same reason that she did not want to kill Asvattama because she considered a representative of Drona, their brahmana guru and hence a dvia bandhu. Srimad Bhagavatham clearly enumerates the reasons why she did not want to punish him :  Ashvattama is a brahmana, guru, his death will cause grievous death of krpi, wife of dronacharya and will bring grief to the royal family. The reference is given below :

 
1) uvaca casahanty asya bandhananayanam sati mucyatam ucyatam esha brahmano nitaram guruh (SB 1.7.43)
 
She could not tolerate Asvatthama's being bound by ropes, and being a devoted lady, she said: Release him, for he is a brahmana, our guru.
 
2) sarahasyo dhanur-vedah savisargopasamyamah astra-gramas ca bhavata sikshito yad-anugrahat SB (1.7.44)
 
It was by Dronacarya's mercy that you learned the military art of throwing arrows and the confidential art of controlling weapons.
 
3) sa esha bhagavan dronah praja-rupena vartate tasyatmano 'rdham patny aste nanvagad virasuh
kripi (SB 1.7.45)
 
He [Dronacarya] is certainly still existing, being represented by his son. His wife Kripi did not undergo a sati with him because she had a son.
 
4) tad dharmajna maha-bhaga bhavadbhir gauravam kulam vrijinam narhati praptum pujyam vandyam abhikshnasah (SB 1.7.46)
 
O most fortunate one who knows the principles of religion, it is not good for you to cause grief to glorious family members who are always respectable and worshipful.
 
5) ma rodid asya janani gautami pati-devata yathaham mrita-vatsarta rodimy asru-mukhi muhuh (SB 1.7.47)
 
My lord, do not make the wife of Dronacarya cry like me. I am aggrieved for the death of my sons. She need not cry constantly like me.
 
6) yaih kopitam brahma-kulam rajanyair ajitatmabhih tat kulam pradahaty asu sanubandham sucarpitam (SB 1.7.48)
 
If the kingly administrative order, being unrestricted in sense control, offends the brahmana order and enrages them, then the fire of that rage burns up the whole body of the royal family and brings grief upon all.
-------------------------------------------------------------
How can he not be punished ? Even Drona was killed. Drona had to be killed because he was arrayed in the battlefield. So a kshatriya was dharma-bound to kill his enemies on the battlefield. But Asvattama was not on the battlefield directly arrayed. Also, it is not that he was not punished. Based on Lord Krishna's orders, Arjuna cut his hair and removed his jewel before driving him away. Srimad Bhagavatham says :
 
7) vapanam dravinadanam sthanan niryapanam tatha esha hi brahma-bandhunam vadho nanyo 'sti daihikah

Cutting the hair from his head, depriving him of his wealth and driving him from his residence are the prescribed punishments for the relative of a brahmana. There is no injunction for killing the body.
 
Once again, forgive me for my intrusion.   
 
Best Regards
Rajaram V.


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