Stories of Kindness from Around the World

7. What we speak and do have their repercussions, Story by Amma

[Amma: Awareness is very important in facing life and its experiences. What we speak and do have their repercussions; hence we have to be very watchful].

In Mahabharata, the Kauravas came to Indraprastha, the newly built capital of Pandavas’ kingdom. Pandava’s palace had been a creation of the celestial Architect Mayan and it was a wonderful and magnificent creation, containing many intricacies and magical beauties.

In some places, the flooring looked as if it is a pond containing water. In some places, what looked like a floor was actually a pool of water! The surroundings looked as if they were creations of a dream.

Lead by their elder brother Duryodhana, the hundred Kauravas were walking around the palace wonderstruck by its grandiose. At one place near the flower garden, they saw what looked like a swimming pool. When they readied themselves to jump into it learned to their surprise that it was just a flooring and no water was there.

They walked further to a place where there was really a swimming pool that looked like normal floor. They fell into it and got drenched. Watching them from the upper quarters and seeing their predicament, Panchali, wife of the five pandavas laughed loud. Hearing her laugh and looking up, the Kauravas felt very ashamed and humiliated. Their heart filled with rage as they thought that Pandavas had intentionally invited them to show all their grandeur and make fun of them and humiliate them.

These happenings added fuel to their envy and anger burning deep in their hearts against the Pandavas. Thus the laugh of Draupadi in a way lead to the Mahabharata war and caused unsurpassed destruction at the end.

Rajni: Draupadi is also addressed as Panchali. Action of laughing of Draupadi angered Kauravas and in the Mahabharata war, all 100 Kauravas lost their lives along with many others on both sides. Just the action of laughing lead to war. This is enough to warn us against our actions and words as well. You never know how great impact it causes in our life and lives of other involved. Always be polite to all even to those who are rude to us. Hot exchanges can create many problems. Always think twice before you speak or act.

The image was derived separately.