About repentance, I know it is a unpopular opinion but I somewhere feel that it differs from person to person. I agree that true repentance comes from hardwork, and making sacrifices. But this is what you can do for yourself. I am not saying that Pandavas exile were not repentance, it was, Pandavas were nice people, they accumulated high karma, but what are other ways to repent? (
since this is my distorted way of thinking lol, feel free to disagree, it's kinda far fetched) From a practical point of view, I think giving back to the world can be a good way to repent. I do not know how to explain this, but after Panchali humilation, the pandavas could have worked to make the world a better place for women, (did they after war and getting the throne, no evidence) but yes, apart from Panchali, I'm sure it was the plight of many other women, who were not queen, and didnt have warriors to fight their battles. And predators are not only Dury& Dushana, but there are many. I would have love to see them avenging the humilation of other women, instead of just their wife. Even Panchali could have worked to improve the conditions of women in general: assault, society shaming women who have child out of wedlocks(kunti), widowed women(assuming Ghandhari folktale is true) going through hell, things like that.
Giving back to the world, helping others, and making the world a better place, because the world need all of us to be a better place, and going to a forest, exile will not solve the root of the problem. Take Pandu for example, instead of going to exile to repent, he could have done things differently. And we see the result : his arrogant bro getting throne, and all that follows.
Of course, meditating over one deeds is mandatory but also doing something to give back to the world is also important.
Yudy was wise, so he could have impart his knowledge in kids, and teach them to be good human beings. He would have been an excellent mentor .Arjun and Karna were super archers, they could have teach people archery and be great mentors instead of fighting each other, and even though Karna did a lot of charity, and gave everything he had, maybe he could have taught kids from other social backgrounds, archery, but maybe he did all he could, giving charity to the point of stupidity.Arjun could have done same when Karna died( idk if he did, did he?)
I remember reading something like this, ( I forgot which book) but Krishna tells Karna that Dury used him as he was good in archery and in competition with Arjun. He asked Karna if he really cared about sutraputras getting knowledge, he would have open doors of opportunities for many people like karna, but he didnt. He never cared.
Pitamah, the wisest and talented guy, instead of staying quiet all his life, and whining on his fate(that he himself decided) could have tried to do some good to the world. Like spreading the good in him to the world through practical steps
But of course, with sincerely, and good intention. I don't know why MB seems like a personal battle between brothers,and a revenge plot, in some media, when it was for the greater good: they actually never showed it that way. 😕
By the way, assuming we want to repent for something, in 21th century, can we drop our studies, job, people, and go to find a forest, and medidate? Giving up all pleasures, we will die of hunger, diseases, and what not. Repentance vary from society to society and century. Jail is to repent for crimes, laid down by the law, but what if someone wants to repent for his moral responsibility?
We tend to think as long as we are not committing crimes, we are white people. That's not true, MB tells us what we say has impact as well, so if someone bullies someone, how shall we repent for that? What if this bullying push someone to extremities. Or judgement due to society,, crushing and killing, and all the bashing, hate we throw to others?
This is to say, that if each individual, tried their best to spread a little more kindness, a little more empathy, a little helping hand around, this could alleviate their sins, for those concerned. Instead of going to exile, and avoid contact with outside world ( like Pandu), face it, change it, correct it, and try to alter the reaction that the action caused. Just my two cents.
Edited by Y12345 - 7 years ago
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
