Yudhishtra - his strengths and weaknesses

….contd….

Yudhishtra – Dharma raj – The eldest of Pandavas

Let us look into Yudhishtra’s character. He was an epitome of ‘Dharma’ and a man who never compromised with ‘Dharma’ even when he and his near and dear ones had to undergo severe pain, hardships, insults, sufferings because of his following ‘Dharma’. he chose Dharma to comforts and easy life – always.

Such an epitome of ‘Dharma’ who was son of God of Dharma – Lord Yama himself was very balanced always – both in times of perils and in power.

He was not for unnecessary wars just for expansion of his kingdom or to prove his supremacy. He was compassion incarnate.

He let go off all of Duryodhana’s sins and crimes.

Even to save himself and his brothers and Draupadi when it was imperative for him to lie about his name, he did not agree to lie. He was such a staunch follower of ‘Truth’.

Once he and his brothers in forest met a Yaksha (a celestial being) who was ‘Lord of a stream’. Pandavas were thirsty and wanted to drink water of that stream but Yaksha stopped each one of them clearly stating “If you drink this water without answering my questions and without my permission you’ll die” and yet one of the Pandavas listened to him. They drank that water and fell down dead. When at last Yudhistra came to that spot and saw all four of his brothers dead understood that this could have been the work of a celestial being only. So, when Yaksha appeared before him he accepted his condition and first answered all the qualities of Yaksha and only then with his permission drank the water. This shows amazing power of self-restraint he had on his sense. Any person who is hungry or thirsty goes berserk and cannot follow rules and regulations and loses his sense of right and wrong. But to be balanced when dying of thirst talks of his sense control and that is being ‘balanced’.  This incidence also shows tremendous patience that he had.

Next, when Yaksha pleased with his answer asked him to name the brother whom he wished to revive, he said ‘Sahadev’. Yaksha was surprised and asked “he is your step-brother yet you want him alive and not one of your own brothers who are so much more able and powerful. How come? He smiled and replied “I am son of mother Kunti but my step-mother Madri’s both sons are dead. It is only right that at least one of her sons is alive and Sahadeva  being the youngest I choose him over the other “ Hearing this Yaksha pleased with his sense of duty and righteousness revived all the four of his brothers.”

But the fact does remain that Yudhishtra had great sense of right and wrong and though loved his brothers dearly did not let emotions cloud his decisions. That, again talks about his impartial nature, sense of duty conscious and level headedness. But so many great qualities he had only one weakness – gambling. And that vice not only harmed him but all of his brothers, wife Draupadi and finallybrought down the whole of Kuru dynasty.

He was “Dharma Incarnate” and one of the best devotees of “Truth” who just didn’t discuss about it but lived it. His qualities are of rare type yet his one weakness negated all his great attitudes. His one vice had its impact on entire Kuru clan. Is it not then that one negative quality can be more effective than all the great qualities put together?

...contd....

(i am assuming you know  the reasons why i highlighted these qualities...if it is unclear, please ask and i'll explain in detail)