Mantralaya-1056
( Bhima's decision not to claim victory in Draupadi's marriage contest, details of Bhishm and Amba - Part 1)
Date Sep 21, 2023
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
The
initial part of this two-part article, unraveling the reasons behind
Bhima's decision not to claim victory in Draupadi's marriage contest
and instead send Arjuna,
is detailed in Mantralaya (1056).
Meaning
In
the Mantralaya series, spanning from episode 1050 to 1052, a
fascinating revelation unfolded regarding Draupadi's unique spiritual
connection. Within her being, five distinct souls resided, with Bharati
Devi, the consort of Vayu Devaru, occupying a prominent position. The
remaining souls—Sachi, Shyamala, Usha, and Parvati—found refuge within
her.This divine arrangement showcased a remarkable phenomenon: each
soul would come to life one at a time, aligning with Draupadi's
interactions with her destined husbands. When Draupadi encountered her
beloved Bhima Sena Devaru (Vayu Devaru), Bharati Devi's divine presence
would grace her, bestowing blessings and protection.Likewise, when
Draupadi engaged with Arjuna (Indra), Sachi Devi would awaken within
her, enveloping her in divine grace and virtues. In the presence of
Yudhisthira (Yama), Shyamala Devi's essence would manifest, and when
Draupadi connected with Nakula and Sahadeva (Ashwini Devatas), Usha's
celestial aura would embrace her, completing this intricate tapestry of
divine connections.
A question that has intrigued many readers
is why Bhima Sena Devaru did not emerge victorious in the contest to
marry Draupadi, and instead, it was Arjuna who succeeded.
We
will address this question by drawing from Sri Madhwacharyaru's
insights in his work, the Maha Bharata Tatapariya Nirnaya. This
explanation will be presented in two parts. Here is the first part of
the article.
Upon learning that King Drupada had organized a
marriage contest for Draupadi, the Pandavas received a divine
visitation from Lord Vedavyasa Devaru. He assured them of their
imminent victory in the contest. Although there was a general
expectation that Bhima, the eldest of the Pandavas, would step forward,
it was widely known among them that only three individuals possessed
the strength to string the Gandiva: Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima.
During
the Drupadi marriage contest, as the Pandavas took their turn, Bhima
made a momentous choice. He decided to send Arjuna forward, driven by
two compelling reasons. One of these reasons was deeply embedded in the
teachings of sacred scriptures (Shastra). Bhima's intent was to
recognize and credit Arjuna, his younger brother, for steadfastly
upholding Dharma, the path of righteousness.
The second reason,
which requires a deeper understanding of the lives of Amba and Bhisma,
adds complexity to this decision. To fully grasp this second reason, we
must journey back in time to explore the intricate narratives
surrounding Amba and Bhisma.
As you may recall, Vichitravirya,
the son of Shantanu and Satyavati, was of marriageable age. At that
time, the king of Kashi organized a grand Swayamvara (Marriage Contest)
for his three daughters: Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika. Bhishmacharya took
it upon himself to represent Vichitravirya in this event. With
unmatched valor, he triumphed over all the rival kings, effectively
winning Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika as brides for Vichitravirya.
While
Ambika and Ambalika embraced Vichitravirya as their husband, Amba
revealed her heart already belonged to King Salva. Understanding her
deep affection, Bhishmacharya, with utmost respect, facilitated Amba's
return to her home, acknowledging the complexities of love and destiny.
Amba,
deeply in love with King Shalva, sought his affection. Heartbreakingly,
King Shalva declined her, citing Bhishma's claim that she had been
taken and that accepting her would violate Kshatriya Dharma, the code
of warrior honor.
With a heavy heart, Amba returned to
Bhishmacharya and, in her desperation, proposed marriage to him.
Bhishmacharya, bound by the solemn vow to remain celibate for life,
responded with regret, affirming his unbreakable commitment to his
pledge, thus refusing her plea.
Amba was overcome with distress and anger, holding Bhishmacharya responsible for the shattering of her life.
Amba,
unwavering in her determination, sought solace through deep prayer and
resolute penance to Lord Shiva. With an unwavering devotion, she
embarked on this profound spiritual journey, and her unwavering
commitment deeply moved Lord Shiva.
When Lord Shiva appeared
before her, His divine presence radiating, He inquired about her
deepest desires. Amba, with unwavering determination, expressed her
heartfelt wish—to become the instrument of Bhishmacharya's ultimate
fate.With a serene smile, Lord Shiva bestowed upon her two profound
boons. The first boon ordained her transformation into a male, destined
to play a pivotal role in Bhishmacharya's destiny. The second boon was
a garland of ever-fresh flowers that would never wither. Lord Shiva
explained that whoever wore this garland would be destined to bring
about Bhishmacharya's end.Overwhelmed with joy and profound gratitude,
Amba received these divine blessings and garland from Lord Shiva.
With
immense joy, Amba accepted the ever-blooming garland and embarked on a
quest to find a worthy suitor among the powerful kings of her time who
would be brave enough to wear it. However, every king she approached
declined her proposal, gripped by fear of Bhishmacharya's unmatched
power.
Disheartened and disillusioned, Amba left the perpetually
fresh garland in front of King Drupada's palace. King Drupada, upon
discovering this extraordinary garland, was captivated by its
enchanting beauty and decided to add it to his rare collection.
Despite
her disappointment, Amba remained resolute in her determination to
fulfill her purpose. Amba decided to end her life. As we've explored in
a previous article, a soul is bound to undergo numerous births in its
quest to achieve its ultimate goal. In Amba's case, her unwavering
desire was to become the instrument of Bhishmacharya's demise.
In
the upcoming article, we will explore the intricate connection between
Amba, the mysterious garland, and Bhishma. Through this exploration, we
will gain a deeper understanding of why Bhima did not win Draupadi's
contest on his own.
Sri Raghavendra Teertharu extols the great
service rendered by Sri Madhwa Charyaru in his extensive work, the
Mahabharata TataPariya Nirnaya. This monumental piece of literature
meticulously unravels the intricate details of the Mahabharata,
providing profound insights into the reasons behind each event.
Recognized as the incarnation of Lord Vayu and Bhima, Madhwa Charyaru's
writings in the Mahabharata TataPariya Nirnaya are held as the ultimate
source of truth and wisdom, casting a divine light
The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the
ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach Sri
Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"! “Those who have
complete faith in this Guru will never be disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||