Mahabharat Episode Discussion Thread # 15 - Page 87

Originally posted by: AnuMP

Yeah the hair band is getting attention, because no one can figure out what it is supposed to signify and how did it get to Krishna anyway?😕

I wish Swastik had a Questions page we could direct these to. I think I must be developing OCD, these loose ends are beginning to bug me😆

Originally posted by: luv_sakshi

Absolutely!! i agree with the actual story depicting Drona getting enraged first on hearing the news of Ashwathama's death..the sacrifice of weapons happens much later..the CVs decided to show the Gyan portion thru' Govind himself instead of the Saptarishis here...n that actually Rocked for me even more!!

Originally posted by: AnuMP

Yeah the hair band is getting attention, because no one can figure out what it is supposed to signify and how did it get to Krishna anyway?

I wish Swastik had a Questions page we could direct these to. I think I must be developing OCD, these loose ends are beginning to bug me

I have a theory I was thinking about when I posted my comments about today's episode but can't seem to connect it.

Anyhow, I think the hairband is supposed to signify moha (temptation). When Drona binds his hair with the hair band it means he has surrendered to Maya. There are many instances that we know of that revolve around hair. For example - Panchaali's bound hair before the vastraharan and the bloodied bound hair after Dushy's death signified the stability and peace (to an extent) in society. Only when she unbound her hair, it unleashed rage that consumed millions of warriors and soldiers from all around the globe. So to an extent, one can state that a "well-groomed" hair represents culture while loose hair represents the wild nature.

StarKrishna - famous for his many speeches - once spoke about how revolution will take over tradition. This was in his dialogues with StarBheeshma during StarSubhi's marriage. He mentioned something about the mango and it's layers. Only after removing the outer, somewhat bitter skin of the mango can we relish the sweetness of the mango. In other words, StarKrishna is emphasizing that traditions are meant to be broken.

So how does this connect to StarDrona's hair. Well, his bound hair symbolizes his loyalty to Duryodhana and every other material (non-Ishwara) relationship. This was his culture. His love for his son was so great that he was willing to sacrifice the entire world for him, even though his son was no longer existing and thus pretty much a pointless reason of riding the world of kshatriyas and other castes (this was before StarKrishna froze the time). It was this culture of his that kept him from realizing the Supreme Truth, the secret and knowledge of Godhead. But hair alone cannot symbolize culture because culture comes from rules, etiquette, beliefs, philosophy, etc. Something has to tie it all together -- this is the hair band. So from my understanding, I would relate portions of Drona's hair to specific values such as rule or beliefs or philosophy. And the hair band represents the chains that links them together to form material culture.

When Drona throws away his hair band, he is now making his hair loose - which as mentioned before represents wild nature. After this, he is able to understand and realize who StarKrishna truly is. God can be realized in many ways, but to understand God truly, you have to abandon all forms of attachment. For those that are familiar with the BG - Sarvadharmana Parityaja ... (18.66). Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender onto Me. I shall deliver from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. It is said that the best way to understand God is to think of Him from with a child's mind. The level of dependence found in a child is not seen in any adult. The nature of a child is more carefree, while the nature of the adult is more restricted and responsible. These attachments to material culture have to be broken for salvation. Going back to StarKrishna's lines about the mango - only after peeling the mango skin can we truly enjoy the mango. Otherwise all we are getting is a mixture of sweetness and bitterness. So to get to the mango's relishing parts -- moksha -- we have to step away from the things that restrict and draw us back.

I never saw how StarKrishna got the hair band, but I would think that his getting the hair band suggests Krishna accepting the offering. He only opened his fists to reveal this after Drona got his head sliced. So when Drona "passed" the test and proved he has truly surrendered, Krishna opened his fist to show the world that he has accepted Drona's sacrifice.

The final scene the hair band was involved in was the funeral. Krishna movements are interesting to note. He first returns the hair band to Drona, then he folds his hands, and then he separates his hands as if to bless him.

The returning of the hair band to Drona signifies a return of culture to Drona. However, this isn't material culture since it was offered to StarKrishna. Whatever we offer to Krishna, Krishna accepts and then allows us to engage in the blessed remnants- otherwise known as Prasadam. We may offer material food to Him, but what we eat is no longer material. Similarly, the hair band, though it used to represent material culture, now represents spiritual culture -- God Realization.

This is where everything falls apart for me. I can't seem to figure out why StarKrishna first folded his hands and then blessed him. (I would think he folded his hands because Drona was a Brahmin, but his actions were always Kshatriya-like... maybe it was an age thing?).

Anyhow, this is what was going on in the back of my mind. Hope this makes sense 😉

Originally posted by: bloodline

After watching the epi, i was wondering about Drona's hair tie as well. After reading the posts here, I really liked Bheegi's explanation.