Passage 14

Tap any word for its meaning.

In plain words

Droṇācārya was one who sank at the least trouble. Recognise the difference between these two teachers.

All things come to those who practise the precepts of Dharma

Only those who have fully understood the precepts of Dharma come to have these sacred feelings. In every circumstance, forbearance, forbearance, forbearance. We must develop this forbearance. Dharmaja was pursued by troubles of many kinds. Before the full assembly they dishonoured his wife. The Pāṇḍavas wandered the forests, eating leaves and roots. Dharmaja, who should have ruled as sole sovereign, spent his time hard in the forests. Even at such a time he kept his calm. This very calm took on the form of Dharma. Forbearance is the true Dharma. We must not try to jump up every moment with a kind of "chit-phat". We must keep our passion under control. Once Dharmaja was wandering in the forest with his brothers. A great thirst came upon them. Dharmaja could not take another step. He sat down right there under a tree. He called his younger brother Sahadeva: "My boy! See if a little water can be found anywhere around here, and bring it," he said. Sahadeva went, and did not come back. Then he sent Nakula. Nakula did not come back either. He sent Bhīma. Bhīma did not come back either. He sent Arjuna. Arjuna did not come back either. Anxious over what had become of them all, he forgot his own thirst. The pain of thirst left him altogether, poor man! The pain of not knowing what had become of his brothers grew greater. From his attachment and love for these brothers, a strength came into his body from nowhere. He went on, searching and searching. Beside a pond all four lay lifeless. Dharmaja felt a pain he could not bear. Seeing Dharmaja in such grief, a voice without a body began to put questions to him.