hell i never expected such a thread! i was so angry on the CVs for the precap and to my surprise i find people thinking like this for Gandhari!!
Isnt this the typical indian mindset - blame the mother for all the faults of her children???
come on people, thinka bit from her perspective and in retrospect of the circumstances in which she says those things!
@ medha:
u say the DILs were jealous of draupadi.
yes they were initially , doesnt mean they were ok with VH or didnt protest.
Then when Draupadi was about to set out she went unto the illustrious Pritha and solicited her leave. And she also asked leave of the other ladies of the household who had all been plunged into grief. And saluting and embracing every one of them as each deserved, she desired to go away.
The wives of the Bharatas, uniting with Gandhari upon beholding virtuous Krishna, the wedded wife of the Pandavas, endued with
beauty and youth, dragged into the court, set up frightful wail. Even now, along with all my subjects, they weep every day.
when does gandhari doesnt rebuke her sons?
She tells Dhrit not to harbour false hopes that Duryodhana would win against Pandavas because veteran warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and others are with him. "They might fight for Duryodhana because of a sense of loyalty to him for having been in his service (
rajapinda bhayat); and, they might even give up their lives for him. But, it would be foolish of Duryodhana to depend on these men to secure him
a victory in the final war. He should be beware of these old fighters who well know in their hearts what is right (
dharma), and who will therefore bring no serious harm to the Pandavas".
In the Sabha Parva, She advised her husband to stop the (first) game of dice. Then again, after the second dice game, Gandhari chides Dhritarastra for allowing Duryodhana to humiliate Draupadi in the open court. This reprehensible act, she said, would surely rekindle a dead fire, topple a bridge re-built and destroy his whole dynasty.
In the Udyoga Parva, after Krishna's failed attempts to bring about peace between the warring groups of cousins, the King Dhritarastra asks Gandhari to be brought into the court. He was hoping that his mother's words of love and wisdom might help Duryodhana to see reason and give up the belligerent path. She did try honestly to counsel her angry son; pleaded with him to eschew the needless war. But, of course, she too fails to convince him.
She blames Dhritarastra for undue fondness for his sons and for not disciplining them despite being aware of their unrighteous desires and thoughtless methods. It is too late now for force,' she says. Krishna too appreciates her efforts: "You have, in the open court, repeatedly and rightly spoken words wisdom and justice for the welfare of both the sides thirsting for war"(
Mbh. IX.62.57).
Before going into the battle on the final day , Duryodhana seeks the blessings of his mother . She does bless him heartily. But , she also remarks " Listen to my words , O fool , where there is righteousness there is victory ( Srunu mudha vachomyaham yato dharmastato jayah - Salya Parva 63.62).
Krishna again lauds Gandhari " O the gracious Lady , there is none comperable to you in the whole world" (tat samam nasti loke sminnadya simantini shubhe - Salya Parva 63.59)
just because her sons or husband doesnt isten to her , it doesnt make her to be wrong!
if she wanted to curse yudi why would she even
divert her eyes to the ground? and as per the text its not his feet but finger nails. the lady has lost all of her sons and grandsons but she is not even allowed to singe yudi'd finger nails!!! wow!!
and then bhim tells an open lie that the blood did not pass through his lips!!really??
was gandhari a bad stepmother to yuyutsu? does she ever fault him for changing sides?
The earth, strewn with severed heads and hands and other limbs mingled together and gathered in large heaps, looks resplendent with these signs of havoc! Beholding many headless trunks of great beauty, and many heads without trunks, those fair ones have been lying senseless on the ground for a long while. Uniting particular heads with particular trunks, those ladies, senseless with grief, are again discovering their mistakes and saying, "This is not this one's," and are weeping more bitterly! Others, uniting arms and thighs and feet, cut off with shafts, are giving way to grief and losing their senses repeatedly (at the sight of the restored forms). Some amongst the Bharata ladies, beholding the bodies of their lords,"bodies that have been mangled by animals and birds and severed of their heads,"are not succeeding in recognising them. Others, beholding their brothers, sires, sons, and husbands slain by foes, are, O destroyer of Madhu, striking their heads with their own hands.
this is the sight she sees her sons and grandsons for first time after her marriage! how will any mother react? how can anyone not feel anger?
yes she curses the God Krishna for the injustice to her. Any other women in her place would have done the same. thats what we all do when we are in grief and deeated by life - turn to god and blame him for everything! that doesnt make her a bad person - just humane.
IMO , if only she had not blindfolded herself , maybe things would have been better, but who knows??
p.s. my post has come out a bit strongly but i mean no offense to anyone
Edited by bhas1066 - 11 years ago
