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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 53 Bhima Frees Ekacakra >>
 |  | While in hiding disguised as a brahmana, Bhima gets a chance to use his extraordinary strength. The sage Vaisampayana is telling the history of the Pandavas to their great-grandson, King Janamejaya. As the Mahabharata continues, the Pandavas are now living disguised as brahmanas with a brahmana family. Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, has overheard the family speaking about a great dilemma: one of them must deliver food to a Raksasa—a man-eater—and so give up his or her life. Kunti offers to solve the family's dilemma.
| | | Kunti devi said to the brahmana, "You should in no way be depressed over this danger, for there is clearly a means to get free from the Raksasa. You have a little son and a saintly virgin daughter. I don't think that you, the children, or your wife should go. I have five sons, brahmana, and one of them will take the offering on your behalf and go to the sinful Raksasa."
| | | The brahmana said, "Though I wish to live, I shall absolutely not do what you suggest. When a brahmana is a guest in my home, I shall never take his life to serve my own interest. Even among the most low-born and irreligious women, there is no such rule that a woman is to sacrifice herself and her son for a brahmana. I should know what is best for me, so it seems, and between murdering a brahmana and killing myself, better that I take my own life.
| | | "Killing a brahmana is the greatest sin. There is no atoning for such an act, even if committed unknowingly, so it is best that I take my own life. I do not desire to be killed, good woman, but if killed by others I would be guilty of no sin. Were I to intentionally cause a brahmana's death, I see no means of atonement for such a shameless act of cruelty. In just the same way, to sacrifice a person who has come to my home seeking shelter, to cause the death of one begging me for charity, I would consider the supreme cruelty. In ancient times the great souls who understood religious duties performed in times of trouble stated that one must never perform an abominable act or an act of cruelty. It is better that I myself perish with my wife, for I shall never allow the killing of a brahmana under any circumstances."
| | | Kunti Devi said, "Learned brahmana, my mind will not move from my conviction that sages such as you must be protected. Nor is it that I don't love my own son. Even if I had a hundred sons, I would dearly love every one of them. The simple fact is that the Raksasa does not have the power to kill my son.
| | | "My son has perfected the art of mantras. He is powerful and can burn like fire. My mind is convinced that he will deliver all the food to the Raksasa and then free himself. We have already seen many strong and giant Raksasas do battle with my heroic son, and every one of them was killed.
| | | "But this is not to be spoken to anyone, no matter what, O brahmana, for surely people would desire to get this knowledge, and out of curiosity they would harass my sons. And without the permission of his guru, even if my son were to teach his knowledge to another the science would not perform its function. That is the opinion of the saintly sages."
| | | At these words of Kunti the brahmana and his wife joyfully welcomed her proposal, which seemed to them like the life-giving nectar of the gods. Thereupon, Kunti and the brahmana went and spoke to Bhima, telling him that he must execute the task. He agreed and said, "So be it."
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